Hachiko~ A Lesson in Eternal Friendship & Loyalty
Above is the actual picture of the real Hachiko in Japan. Hachiko has been an inspiration to thousands of people teaching them the meaning of unconditional love and loyalty. Such a touching living being this dog is. It is so beautiful how he is remembered and honoured till today in Japan.
Now a movie to further inspire millions around the world. Hachiko, you made me cry and further affirm how love and loyalty is so important in our lives. Thank you Hachiko, may you always take wonderful rebirths again and again. Om Mani Peme Hung. I haven’t met you Hachiko, but you live in my heart… you live in the hearts of all people who want unconditional love.
May Hachiko forever take good rebirths without any sufferings. May Hachiko’s story remind us to be kind to animals. As animals can be teachers of good human qualities also that we take for granted sometimes.
Tsem Rinpoche
The last picture of Hachiko. The photo was found and is being donated to a museum in Shibuya, Japan. Please click ‘Share’ send Hachi around facebook. Read below about him…
Hachiko was born in Odate, Japan in November 1923, a white male Akita dog. At the age of two months, he was sent to the home of Professor Ueno of the Agricultural Department of the Tokyo University. The professor’s home was in… the Shibuya district of Tokyo. The professor commuted to the agricultural department in Komaba and the agricultural experimental station in Nishihara.
Tragedy struck on May 21, 1925, when Dr. Ueno did not return because he had suffered a stroke and died at the university. Hachiko was eighteen months old. The next day and for the next nine years, Hachiko returned to the station and waited for his beloved master before walking home, alone. Nothing and no one could discourage Hachiko from maintaining his nightly vigil. It was not until he followed his master in death, in March l934, that Hachiko failed to appear in his place at the railroad station.
Hachiko was sent to homes of relatives or friends, but he always continued to await his master, who was never to return, at the train station.
The fidelity of Hachiko was known throughout Japan, owing to an article, “Faithful Old Dog Awaits Return of Master Dead for Seven Years” in the October 4, 1933 issue of Aashi Shinbun (Asahi News). Upon his death, newspaper stories led to the suggestion that a statue be erected in the station. Contributions the from the United States and other countries were received. Today, the statue of the Akita, Hachiko, pays silent tribute to the breed’s faithfulness and loyalty. A bronze statue of Hachiko was put up at his waiting spot outside the Shibuya railroad station, which is now probably the most popular rendezvous point in Shibuya. Hachiko was mounted and stuffed and is on now on display at the Tokyo Museum of Art.
Some facts and interesting information on Hachiko.
Hachikō (November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), golden brown with cream color on upper face.
Hachikō was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture.
In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner’s life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend Hachiko was waiting.
Hachikō was loyal and every day for the NEXT NINE years he waited sitting there amongst the town’s folk at Shibuya Station waiting for his professor. The wife of the professor eventually moved away and didn’t take Hachiko with her. Hachiko lived outside, found scraps of food and kind locals gave him food also. The locals who witnessed this was so overwhelmed and moved by the love and loyalty of Hachiko. Every day without fail Hachiko would wait at the same spot at the same station for the Professor. Amazing!!
Hachikō died on March 8, 1935. He was found on a street in Shibuya. His heart was infected with filarial worms and 3-4 yakitori sticks were found in his stomach. His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.
In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachikō himself was present at its unveiling. The locals wanted to honour Hachiko. It reminded them of what was important in their lives. What should be important in everyone’s lives that a simple dog taught them.
The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. In 1948 The Society for Recreating the Hachikō Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist who had since died, to make a second statue. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot.
Richard Gere starred in this American version of this true story. Do watch it and prepared to be touched to the point of being speechless. Please see the trailor and go watch the movie please!!!
Watch the short clips below:
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20494746J9ZFK78g.mp4
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20494744D2BmGdjK.mp4
An earlier movie about Hachiko titled Hachiko Monogatari (The tale of Hachiko) was filmed by Seijirō Kōyama in 1987. Do watch the video below, it is in Japanese with English subtitles.
MUST WATCH THIS MOVIE. IT IS THE ORIGINAL DONE IN JAPAN. EXCELLENT!
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HachikoMonogatariADogsStory.mp4
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Hachiko’s story is very touching. It is amazing an animal can establish such a strong devotion and loyalty to its owner even though the owner is no longer alive. We often think animals don’t have emotions or feelings like human beings, therefore it is fine if we hurt them.
It is very wrong to think that animals are less superior, they don’t have emotions like us and therefore we have the right to abuse or mistreat them. If a dog like Hachiko can show such affection to its owner, he must have negative emotions like sadness, fear, worry too.
Even if the animals don’t have emotions like us, it is still not right to take away their lives or mistreat them. As a human being, we should always cultivate good qualities like love, compassion, generosity, etc. These good qualities should be applied to not just the human beings but animals, seen or unseen beings.
hello my name is kelly, i had a dream early this morning about hachi? would you please explain the meaning of this dream i had. please email me to kelpaulino444@gmail.com. i would appreicated. thank you kelly
Touching story of Hachiko a golden brown dog….who has waited 9 long years for his master at rail station.Hachikō saw his master goes to work and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station.Oneday his master failed to return yet he waited for him faithfuly.There must be a special bonds,lovely and friendship between both of them.Hachikō was indeed so loyal and the locals witnessed it ,so much so they erected a a bronze statue to honour him and seeing it reminds them of what should be important in everyone’s lives that a simple dog taught them….A Lesson in Eternal Friendship & Loyalty.
Watching the movie was so touching,holding my tears till ending.
Thank you Rinpoche for these lovly post and good movie.Values loyalty,love and friendship and formost treasure it through good and bad times.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
I have watched the movies about Hachiko in both Japanese and English many times, yet I am still very much touched by it. The story taught us loyalty, love, never let go of those who has been good to us no matter what. It shows our potentials and good qualities which we can develop for the better.
We need more inspiring stories like this to uplift our spirits that allow us to become calm and kind. This is very important if we want peace in the world.
I was able to watch the story of HACHIKO and I cant help my self,I cried a bunch of tears.I love dogs I treat them as my family and love them so much. hope that all the people who dont like dogs will change there mind if they see this movie its really nice movie and story the person will not cry watching this movie I would say he/she dont have heart
CURTIS SMITH
Hi Curtis,
Welcome to tsemrinpoche.com. How did you get to know about this blog?
I’m glad to know you love dogs and treat them like your family. Many are touched by Hachiko’s story and yes if more people change their mind about dogs then definitely there will be less animal cruelty cases in the world.
There are 2 other stories I’d like to share with you, which are Hachiko-related posts:
Spot, the American Hachiko
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/spot-the-american-hachiko.html
Singapore’s Hachiko (Please watch!)
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/singapores-hachiko.html
There is also a feature on the Dog Hero Marc Ching who is doing a great job rescuing dogs. We have a short feature about him here:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/marc-ching-shows-us-the-way.html
There are many more interesting posts about Animals, Vegetarianism & Environment. You may want to explore this category page here:
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/animals-vegetarianism
Hope to see you more on this blog and feel free to leave a comment on any of the post!
Regards,
Pastor Shin
This story is really touch my heart . I almost cry after read Hachiko life story. The loyalty and preseverance of Hachiko are good qualities for us to learn. Many of us take things for granted.when we take things for granted we will easily give up and won’t be successful.
Beside that, I just wondering why professor Ueno’s wife don’t keep Hachiko with her. I feel sad that Hachiko become stray dogs after Professor Ueno’s passed away. We shouldn’t abandon any animals if we really practice dharma .
May Hachiko has swift and good rebirth. Om Ma Ni Padme Hung
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing.
With folded hands,
Jason
Dear Jason
Nice to see you here. Based on the version of the story, Hachiko was kept by Prof Ueno’s relatives after the professor passed away. However, Hachiko kept running away to the station to wait for his master.
Just like you this story touched my heart. May Hachiko have a good rebirth life after life and be blessed by the Buddha.
Valentina
Omg I still cant stop crying
Hi Marina, I know what you mean. This was a super emotional post. Rinpoche’s always asking us to think about others, not just humans but animals too as they have emotions and feelings too. The more we realize this, the more we can be attuned to and appreciate just how much love, care and acceptance there is in the world, even with animals. Rinpoche has a fantastic category about animals on this blog. You can find a lot more stories and information there.
Dear Marina
I had the same reaction too when I first read the post and know about Hachiko. His devotion to his master even after he was gone is incredible. Often in life, loyalty and devotion can wane and disappear overtime. So it is inspiring to see that a beautiful dog can have such unshakable loyalty to its master.
Kind regards
Valentina
I have watched Hachiko movie not just simply made me cry, it made me realize how importance love and loyalty is. It’s my favorite story. I can’t move on. It was s inspiring and admiring knowing that it really happened in real life. Thank you Rinpoche
amazed and impressed with what a dog can do that more mankind cannot. Salute to Hachiko.
Hachiko is one of the most incredible stories of loyalty and true unconditional love. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this awesome story. It is such a reminder for me of how I should act.
Dear Rinpoche,
I have finished watching the DVD with my wife Rinpoche gave us.
She was crying at the end, finding the loyalty of the dog so endearing. She cannot believe the bond between the dog and the owner.
I, too, find the bond between the dog and the owner very touching and inspiring.
But I believe the underlying story Rinpoche wants us to witness is how the lead actor Richard Gere, played the owner, father and husband role.
The entire story focuses on the bond between the dog and owner. How the pet is so loyal to the owner. If between an animal and a human and the relationship with each other is so strong, how else can the relationship be between humans, between husband and wife? I believe Rinpoche is trying to tell us that forging a bond requires efforts, fate and karma. We should be loyal to each other, care for each other and constantly takes care of each other as depicted in the show.
The show also showed how Richard Gere treats the family. How he loves his daughter and wishes the best for his daughter, and respects his daughter’s decision. He also displays great affection and respect for his wife and her job, takes time to spend quality time with her making sure she is not left out even though there is a new addition of the dog to the house. The wife too, shows great respect and love to the husband and compromise her decision for her husband to keep the dog when she saw how he loves the dog, showing great empathy.
The love between the owner and dog reminds me of how Rinpoche cares for your dogs and ensuring the best for them.
Thank u for teaching us a great lesson from the simple story of Hachi the dog.
[…] allows for two generations to live — or at least dine and unwind — under one roof. Hachiko ~A Lesson in Eternal Friendship & Loyalty | Tsem Rinpoche A bronze statue of Hachiko was put up at his waiting spot outside the Shibuya railroad station, […]
HACHIKO!! YOU SUCH A GREAT AMAZING DOG EVER……. YOUR STORY WAS VERY TOUCH THE HEART BY PEOPLE WHO’M WATCH YOU MOVIE :)))
THANKS FOR INSPIRING US….
It is just great to see the type of loyalty that the dogs would have for someone once they feel the love that we have given them. They would never forget what we have done for them and would always remember us dearly in their hearts.
I am just embarrassed to see this, as many of us humans do not remember all the kindness that is being showed to us all the time. We forget, then we want more attention. When we are not being given, then there would be problems arising from there. It is just sad to see people that are behaving like this, even worst then dogs.
It is also sad to see that people would bare to even hurt animals like this. They do not have any hatred towards anyone no matter how many times we may have harmed them.
HELLO,I’M DEAF. hachiko died march 1934
AKITA FEMALE (DOG)
I KNOW I REMEMBER TALK ABOUT REAL THE DOG HAS NAMED
HACHIKO. WAS MY DEARM REAL DOG NAMED HACHIKO I SAW IT.
HACHIKO SAYS ” I’M WAITING FOR HIM HE’S MY FRIEND. I MUST WAIT
THEY’LL TRAIN COME SOON. I’M NOT GO ANYWHERE. I’M STILL HERE
I WANTED SEE HIM. I HOPE HE’S OK. THEN I WAS STILL WORRY ABOUT
HIM HAS best friend” he says
that. i’ve seen i saw a ghost real a dog hachiko few
not too much. but dog not see me. I CAN’T TELL YOU I KNOW DOG HACHIKO WHAT SAYS.and sorry what happend to him
hachiko. :(. I mean “himself he wants see him master friend” I LIKE HIM HACHIKO THEY SAYS MARCH 8, 1934 AND 8 MAR 1935. hachiko HE SAYS ” I WANTED SEE HIM MASTER. I MUST WAIT MASTER..TRAIN”
Hachiko shows us what loyalty and faithfulness is, I doubt that humans can be as faithful as Hachiko was. I salute you, Hachiko for your continuous and undeniable love for Prof.Ueno.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche. This is the best movie i’ve ever seen in my life.
Love,
beatrix
I love this Dog. The amount of love that this dog gave to its owner was tremendous. More people in the world should show the same amount of love to dogs and all animals. Being vegetarian will help reduce pain and suffering to animals such as, dogs, cows and chickens.
I like the story of Hachiko because it touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. He did this my shoeing his love and loyalty to his owner. This showed that dogs are loving caring and loyal. And they also made a movie which made Hachiko more global and touched even more lives.
Thank you For sharing Rinpoche.
这电影,这让人类汗颜的Hachiko让我哭了,它和主人之间深厚的感情,它的忠诚和不求回报的爱,让我的心狠狠地楸着,真的很感动 !!!谢谢谢谢 Rinpoche送了这套电影给我~~一个简单的故事却让人深思!!我们的坚持,忠诚在Hachiko的面前是如何的无地自容!!看到它每天等着一个永远也不会回来的主人,却还是不退缩的坚持他的爱,觉得它有说不出的痛苦~~
但或许Hachiko觉得它很幸福,因为它有一个值得它等待的人,也曾经疼爱它的人!!
其中一幕也让我觉得动容的是Professor Ueno 教导他的家人和仆人关于狗的权利和它们也需要尊重,就像人类一样~~他是一位值得我们尊重和学习的Professor!!
谢谢仁波切在此分享更多关于Hachiko的资料和这动人的故事!!
I re-read this from time to time to remind myself to be compassionate to animals. If we cannot be compassionate towards animals then how can we learn tone compassionate towards animals?
Thanks you Rinpoche for being a true example of showing compassion not only to humans but to animals as well.
I aspire to be as compassionate as Rinpoche though I have much, much more to learn.
Thank you Rinpoche.
[…] Hachiko ~ A lesson on eternal friendship & loyalty […]
Hachiko’s story always moves me to tears. His love and loyalty for his human friend is beyond words. Thank you for sharing this story, Rinpoche. _/\_
Hachiko’s true story has touched me to the core..I cannot get over it. I imagine his hope, pain. loneliness and ache for him I wish I had been there to take care of him in those days…
Hachiko is such an intelligent dog. Although it is said that human have the most developed brain, it seems now some animals are showing a much more loving and loyal trait. No wonder the phrase was coined that the dog is a man’s best friend. I noticed the characters in the movie are all so formal and they speak so politely, never raising their pitch even though they were angry.
A very touching and inspiring story,which makes me cry each time I watch the movie.It reminds us the true value of humanity and how much value we put to the most important thing that matters to us most.If a dog can show love and loyalty,how much can we do to prove our love and loyalty.This comes to mind after watching the movie.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this amazing story.
The first time i know and watch a short clips of Hachiko, i thought is a human made story. But that was not after i found out. Is genuine story from Japan. I cried everytime i watch this ( the short clips). Story of Hachiko is extreamly touch and extremely inspired for human. (Hope that animal abuser can watch this movie and stop the abuse mind after this. )
Thank You Rinpoche ^^,
Hachiko’s is not only an inspiration it is also an example for all of us humans. We must take care of all our animals.
I love both version, I watched it few times and always cried like no body business. Hachi is a true hero 🙂
We must love animal, do not hurt and harm them is any reason. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful story.
I watched the original movie in Japan. We need to be kind to animals because many animals posses qualities which human do not have. May Hachiko take good rebirths and without suffering.
I already watched the English version of Hachiko and i cried throughout the whole movie.The story is so touching that it will even move a heart made of stone….. will pick a saturday night to watch the Japanese version so that no one will see my swollen eyes …Amazing that Hachiko waited Nine Years at the station for his professor without fail.Very loyal and faithful..I believe animals have very good memory and never forget those who have been kind & nice to them..Respect and treat them well and they will remember you forever.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.Hachiko is an amazing dog ,his legacy of devotion,loyalty and faithfulness truly touch the hearts of many through out the world without the boundaries of cultures and creed.His act of sincerity is rarely found even amongest humans.WE truly hope for his good rebirth,maybe as a human in his next life and a chance to meet up with dhrama.
Oh boy, cried buckets the first time I watched (english version) and now again (japanese version). Although didn’t have the english subtitle, I roughly understood what they talked about. During Prof. Ueno’s funeral, I was just suddenly overwhelmed by a strong sense of loss and can really commiserate with Hachiko. I guess it makes no difference between humans and animals, when there is a bond, loss will happen at death. As a human, I have the ability to understand and move on, but as an animal, Hachiko keeps reliving the same actions hoping to bring Prof. Ueno back. I guess his actions has imprinted deep enough for him to experience the meeting at the moment of his own death. At this point, I wonder if he is still there, as his attachment to the Prof. Ueno/place was strong.
When I came back from studies, I had a beautiful Spitz named Meimei. We developed a bond so strong that she even knew when I met with an accident. My dad said she kept running up and down the stairs looking for me. When she started to go into birth labour, I knew and came back immediately from office to be with her. Miss her.
Hachiko’s story must have given Rinpoche very strong impressions that prompted Rinpoche to provide us here with more information.
I have watched the movie with Richard Gere acting as Professor Ueno. The movie is very very nice and touching.
There is really no word that I can use to describe Hachiko. I guess no human will do what he did – to wait for his owner every single day morning and night without fail for 9 years living on scraps. Really unimaginable amount of loyalty within his heart!
Just like Rinpoche, I wish very much that Hachiko will have good rebirths, again and again, that he will be free from sufferings and be cared for always.
Thank you rinpoche for a great teaching on loyalty, empathy and selflessness just now. I am looking inside and see so much that makes me not be who I should be. Then, when I log on to Rinpoche’s blog and all I see is this amazing post on loyalty.
I am sorry I have let Rinpoche down and allow myself to contribute towards your heavy heart thats thinking of leaving. So much has been said and done and the results are just plain to see. Nonetheless, I will do what it takes to change your thinking.
I pay respect to Hachiko for his unconditional love and loyalty. It sets an example on how a true relationship should be. And love the animals more in return.
[…] is on Netflix. To read more about Hachiko’s story, and to see pictures of the real Hachiko, click here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. from → climate change, imagination ← […]
Loved this tale about this super loyal dog. Really warms you heart to know that animals can show loyalty and a sense of belonging. Animals are capable of more complex emotions.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this real story of Hachiko. Hachiko has shown us with his unconditional love to his master since he was brought to Tokyo. This kind of great loyalty and firm action practiced by Hachiko for 9 years, will always be a track record to all of us in this degenerating age. May Hachiko take reborn as human and serve for Dharma work to benefit many people.
谢谢仁波切与我们分享那么感人的故事。
很多时候,温暖的是来自最简单的关怀与爱。Hachiko虽然不会用语言表达他对主人的关爱,但他对主人的不离不弃,让遇到一丁点挫折就放弃的人感到惭愧。
它对主人的忠诚非常值得我们学习,愿我们也能像Hachiko一样,忠诚于自己的梦想,坚持到底。
A spectacular tale of true loyalty and friendship. I watched the movie and it was really heartbreaking to see Hachiko waiting endlessly tirelessly without a proper place to sleep or proper food to eat in the beginning. Thanks to hawker and kind people who noticed him for they took pity on him and fed him. I was really touched by his sincerity and love for his master. Sometimes I do believe that dogs are better than human although their karma is like that for they are really gentle and loving always.
i watched this “hachiko”” starring by Richard gere at the last few month before..and the story of hachiko gave me a very deep impression..the loyalty to his master and their eternal friendship has touched me ..and how many unconditional love,loyalty and eternal friendship still happen nowadays,it is a really shameful that human has lost all this qualities..and even a dog can do better than us…wish u have a good rebirth~hachiko
I really cried when i watched this two videos especially the first video it is just so touching how this dog is so faithful to go to the train station for 9 years to see his master and walk and play with him. Now i know why they say that dog are a man’s lifetime companion. How i wish to have a dog like this.
What an amazing story of loyalty and unconditional love. It is always said that a dog is a man’s best friend. This is true story is all about that. I cannot help but reflect how much loyalty and love exist in Hachiko’s relationship with his master than some relationships between friends or siblings.
There would be true peace if many would have this kind of true loyalty to one another.
Very touching real story. Loyal and faithful a basic and must human quality that we must have.
I love dogs! I had 2 very loyal dogs who contributed to the happiness and well being of my family. I find that dogs have a natural inclination to help man. They never complain about mundane chores and will work tirelessly as well as play tirelessly with man. Dogs definitely earn their place in man’s hearts.
Hachiko is truly an inspiring dog who has shown us how true love exists. In a human-human relationship, be it family,friends or your partner, are you able to love them selflessly, with loyalty and give unconditionally? Can we promise them a secured future that whatever circumstances arise, we wouldn’t leave them? Human is always unpredictable but animals don’t, they do not let us down. We human always think ourselves as faithful species, but when it comes to true fidelity, dogs offer better example of keeping relationship together. Please, i urge everyone, treat animals humanely!
Hachiko’s love and loyalty for his owner is legendary which many human beings may pale in comparison. It is a clear indication that animals do have feelings and intelligence similar to human beings. Therefore, it is not right to abuse or neglect animals, let alone eat them.
Everybody wants to save the world but many don’t know where to start. How about stop killing animals for a start and be VEGETARIAN? Eating meat is only a habit like smoking. It only takes effort to kick it.
This true story is a testament that animals have the same feelings as humans too, it is just that they cannot speak the human language. What we show to others, including towards animals, we receive back the same. Feelings of love, loyalty, faithfulness are universal and across all beings. Animals have feelings too. Always be kind to animals.
Thank you, Hachiko for showing us what we ourselves as humans sometimes fail to even show to our own kind let alone another being. Thank you for teaching us the most basic but extremely fundamental qualities that we should all possess in our short human life.
Such faithful dog Hachiko! May you be reborn a human and able to hear and practise the Dharma.
相遇是緣,不僅人和人之間,人和狗也是,當教授在火車站撿回了被丟棄的忠犬Hachiko後,對主人教授的忠誠、愛和依戀就是忠犬Hachiko的一切。
10年的等待,對於一隻狗,是一生的等待,這份對主人的忠誠和等待是那麼單純和簡單,如果說忠犬Hachiko希望得到什麼回報的話,這種堅定的忠誠和愛是一種報恩,都會讓我感動和思考。
非常感动的一个真实故事,它就像上天派了一个天使进入Hachiko 的身体里面,Hachiko的行为
举动充满深运的意义,对主人的忠诚连人类都忘尘莫及,感动的是还懂得感恩回报主人的恩典。
Hachiko 的事迹一定会影响世人警惕。。。。影响世人去学习的一个精神,希望带给这世界充满爱
与和平。
Hachiko很可爱,很有灵性。他对主人的忠诚,看了令我心痛,忍不住掉眼泪了。Hachiko为它的主人所做的事实在令人感动,它的忠诚可以是令人难忘。我们要珍惜所有的一切更要学习Hachiko怎样对待它的主人与它的忠诚。
If only people can watch and learn about love and loyalty from Hachiko this world we live in would be such a beautiful place…Imaagine!
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this re-post of the story of Hachiko.
This time around, as I read it, like a few others have done,I reflect on my own level of unconditional love, loyalty and devotion to those who have been very kind to me, especially my love of, and devotion to, Rinpoche, who has given up his life to serve and benefit others, including me. I come up measuring poorly against the incredibly high standards of Hachiko. Hachiko puts me to shame.
Kechara would have, by now, with Rinpoche’s unerring spiritual guidance, become a big Dharma center in this region, and KWPC would have already begun to manifest, if people like me, had given Rinpoche my utmost loyalty and devotion, like Hachiko. All because, unlike Hachiko, I have been clinging to my comfort zone.Time to sit and zero in on all those things that keep me attached to my comfort zone and whittle them off, one by one, with grit and determination.
Hachiko’s story is timeless and will continue to touch people’s hearts for many generations to come. His loyalty and patience is something so many humans including myself have not achieved! It is a wonder for me why dogs can be so happy to wait on their owners and they can consistently do it every day. My dog also always rushes down to greet me whenever I come home, it seems to be the highlight of his day. even when it is raining he will do the same thing. The only times when he does not welcome me home is when he is sick.. sometimes he drags himself to the front gate to say hi and wag his tail even when he is feeling unwell..
狗是人類最好的伙伴。這是件很感人的事跡。雖然事件發生將近一世紀,Hachiko對主人無私的付出及忠誠,讓它廣泛被流傳。當時的人們被它的美徳所感動,建設塑像讓人們可以記念它。Hachiko不是人也不會人類的語言,但卻不會阻礙它和主人溝通。它永遠的記住主人對它恩惠,就是死亡的那一刻也不忘記自己對主人的使命。忠誠是無價的不可用金錢衡量。它是一種難得可貴的精神。
My heart reaches out to Hachiko. Such loyalty. Pets make better companions than humans, as the saying goes. Probably Hachiko and his master had very strong karmic connections in the past. His statue serves as a good reminder especially to the young and can teach them the lesson on loyalty.
Hachiko is not only the Hero of the town, his unconditional love towards his master / best friend touches many people’s heart, even though he is gone, but the love he showed has lived in everyone’s heart till now.
Human used to abuse and kill animal, treating them like a dirt, but you know what, many of these ‘dirt’ is much more worthy than human, once you are friend with them they will be kind, loyal, protective towards you.
This movie I’ve watched a few times already and every time when I watch, it is just so amazing how loyal an animal can be, it is daily, and it lasted for 9 years… very inspiring.
This movie reminded me of another great movie, The tale of Mari and the 3 puppies. another heart wrenching movie.
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/film-tv-music/a-tale-of-mari-and-three-puppies.html
I am so humbled by such loyal and faithful dog, Hachiko. If Hachiko can be loyal and faithful to his master, humans can learn to be like him too.
A very touching movie.
It really plants a strong imprint to me seeing Hachiko waiting for the owner for 9 long years every day. A dog able to understand loyalty and faithful. Hachiko can’t talk but his action shown and a lot of people notice this beautiful quality he has. We should learn from Hachiko, great Guru Devotion and always be consistent and carry out our work correctly. We should reflect ourselves and improve.
“Dogs are men’s best friends” how very true the saying goes!! Such values have been seen to come from animals, one of which is a dog, in terms of loyalty, integrity and love. In times of danger or emergency,dogs are said to have even sacrificed their lives, particularly at wartime, or at scenes of crime in protection of their owner/trainer. Nevertheless, with emotions, feelings and intellegience, dogs can be like human beings, or even better, as in the case of this famous white male akita dog, named “Hachiko” in Japan, who has waited devotedly and faithfully for his master who has died, for nine years at the same spot where he had stood waiting daily before. Such was the true compassion and unconditional love that a dog can have for his master!
This is not the first time i read about the story of Hachiko. However, whenever i read about him, he is reminding me the virtues that i should always follow – loyalty, integrity, persistence, caring and loving. Thank you Hachiko for the lesson and thanks Rinpoche for sharing with us.
I remember when I first watched this movie, it is so fantastic. To me, this movie will be the best movie which the main actor is a dog! The dog in the movie can gain the best actor of the year!
The owner of the dog is a normal people like us. Graduated from high school, gain married then end of his own life by suddenly. He even do not he will dead at that day. He also cannot believed that day is his last day with his lovely dog. Hachiko can feel it but his owner cannot. Sometime animal is clever than human do you agree that…?
The loyalty dog still waiting for it’s owner even though it’s owner had passed away few years until it dead!
狗儿是众所周知的“忠诚”动物,但是在这个故事中主人付出真诚与无私的爱对待Hachiko是不容忽视的,Hachiko会以相同的方式回报主人是因为Dr.Ueno所付出的爱是纯正的,没有私心的,所以Hachiko对主人才会有强烈的顺服之心。
就连Hachiko的行为也感动到周遭的人,我看了也很感动。我对自己所做的感到羞耻,因为我也比不上Hachiko的所做所为,我把自己放在Hachiko的处境上,要是在我人生中发生类似情况的话,相必我会放弃了。
在这里我学习到要以100%的正直与忠诚,无私心的爱,来对待任何的众生,包括动物,它们是值得被爱的。
对我来说我们应该要有想Hachiko的良好品质来对待我们的上师,部门主管,同事,朋友以及家人,这样我们才能把工作做好,人事关系也自然好。
I have watched this DVD 2 years back, it was given by Rinpoche. I have never like dogs or cats, till I watched Hachiko. There’s this saying in Chinese, “狗是人类最好/忠实的朋友“(Literally, it means, dogs are the best/loyal friends to people). The real story of Hachiko has proved it well!
It teaches us to be faithful to people around us.
Hachiko is the personification of loyalty. School teachers and parents should use him as a teaching model for dedication and loyalty so that when they grow into adults they will not back stab and short sell their friends and colleagues just to get a promotion or to impress their bosses. How often we hear of that…
May Hachiko rest in peace, he is such a loyal dog, human’s best companion
Hachiko let me remind my uncle’s dog (name PIPI) who have die recently.My cousin have a strong relationship with PIPI from young until now, before PIPI pass away, he wait until my cousin come back then only he let go his last breath..True love not only can find among Human, even animal show us how they treasure and response unconditional love to human.
The story of Hachiko teaches the meaning of love and loyalty, even till his death he remained faithful even waiting for his master. Reflects ourselves, how many of us would just like Hachiko for our guru devotion. Are we loyal to our guru, are we love our guru, if yes, why the things he asked we never do (included me)? This comments is for everyone of us to improve ourselves.
For a dog’s lover, i cried every each of time i watch the this movie or even the trailor or just the soundtrak song!! I have watched this Hachiko that cast by Richard Gere and also watched the original Hachiko. Both make me cried like a pig head!!
Hachiko’s taught us eternal friendship, loyalty and unconditional love to his love one, is very inspiring. Even human can’t compare with this beautiful being. We have to be kind to animals.
Tribute to Hachiko, may he always take good rebirth without any suffering.
Even though dog cannot speak our language or talk to us, but they have feelings too. Hachiko was a very loyal dog, even after the owner passed away, he still waited at the same spot for 9 years. Animals have feelings too, we should treat them like one of us, love them, respect them and care for them. After all, we are all are living on the same planet, let’s live in harmony and peace by showing respect to each other.
Dear Rinpoche,thanks so much for this beautiful article on Hachiko.I love and admire this dog so much. Dogs are such beautiful animals,I just love them!!
What an amazing dog!!! His qualities of loyalty and unconditional love definitely a very good example for everyone of us and still very relevant until now. Unfortunately today in many cases, the loyalty is driven by “ugly” advantages, i.e money, power and sex. When these “ugly” advantages finished then loyalty also gone!
In Tibetan Buddhism, Guru devotion is top of the list of all the practices and required maximum loyalty to our spiritual guru which is very difficult to achieve in this era. Sometimes we don’t even think of getting loyalty from others and would be very grateful if they did not betray and slander us.
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche.
Take good care.
With love,
VP
Hachiko is a story of Loyalty and Hope. Hachiko remained so faithful to his master until he passed away. Such great devotion to his master. We as human can learn so much from Hachiko.This extraordinary dog has taught us what loyalty, determination and faith is all about and we must reflect on this daily. We have so much to learn from this dog.
Hail Hachiko,
It is a shame that I got to know about Hachiko and the story behind it will touch a lot of people. It is thought provoking for me in the sense that how a dog can be that loyal and have so much affection to the owner whereby not many humans nowadays.
Loyalty, integrity, and love, these are the qualities one should have to be a respected person and by right should come in naturally from a person. It is through degenerated human mind that made people nowadays cold, selfish and being disloyal even to their partners.
Lovely story, lovely reminder. A reminder of the existence of reincarnations. I thought about it a little deeper and asked myself, why at only 18 months old, Hachiko is so attached to his owner? Is it because of the relationship they built in the 16 months they were together or something else?
In Buddhism, we believe in reincarnations. One way or another, we are all connected in our past lives. The close bond shared by Hachiko and his owner might just go back a few life times. I can’t be sure, but there is a possibility there.
I guess its the same for all sentient beings. Its like sometimes we are more inclined to one person than another. Or when we choose a pet, many times we choose base on our feelings. We don’t know why but we know THIS IS THE ONE I WANT.
This is a very touching story. Hachiko’s care, love and loyalty towards professor is indestructible. This is example of a relationship that last for a life time. Professor took Hachiko home when he was lost on the street. Professor loved him and took care of him. Professor is his father, his brother and his best friend. To professor, Hachiko is someone who be there for him all the time no matter rain or shine, up or down. Hachiko did not talk but he only knew that this was the way that to make professor happy.
Hachiko is always grateful with professor. He did not know what happened to professor. He do not understand. but he just want to make sure when professor comes back, the moment he came out from the train, he must be there for professor. He knew that professor will be very happy when he is there for him. That’s all Hachiko wanted. THAT’S ALL. So simple, so pure, no agenda and he never change his mind even he had disappointed everyday when professor failed to come back for him everyday for the next 9 years until the last day of his life.
Was is another touching story? No.. It reflected how faithful a dog can be. What about us?
Dogs and horses are some closest friends of human being, and these animals proved their unconditional love and loyalty towards us. These animals don’t change their mind as much as we do as per the changing conditions arise. This so called civilized modern society will become more of hypocrite society if just get blind with greed and lust for power and money, such blindness would make this world a living hell for everyone, unless we human beings value acts of compassion with unconditional love for others, as did the dog Hachiko! In deep down moral values are more then anything else for all to make this world a happier place to live! If we don’t realize this reality, then we are not worth then a street dog! When morality degrades, mortality rises, just see the present autocrat regime of China, where the organs of Falungong inmates are sold secretly, where the little Chinese girl was ran over by vehicles two times, badly injured but ignored by 18 passers by. This is what happens to the society where moral values like honesty, loving kindness are not valued and respected. It is for sure that blind faith on power and money will create more suffering on humanity!
看到这一则报道,不禁让我想起了早前人波切叫我们看的一部电影the tales of marri n th
e three puppies. 同样的也是在叙述有关狗对于人类的忠诚。当时看了以后觉得很感动,连动物都懂得感恩图报的道理,而我们人呢?在有问题时,就会找仁波切帮忙,当问题解决了以后就忘了当初的承诺。有时候,我真的搞不清楚人为什么会那么是非颠倒,总是不懂得感恩,也许是我们的无知,让我们做出那么无知的事。 在此我希望所有的kecharian能珍惜我们的上师,做好自己的本分,让克切拉能够茁壮的成长,让仁波切的佛法能够无远坲届的传递下去。
我想,忠诚之所以会被世界所歌颂,也是因为我们任何人都知道,世间的一切事都没办法永恒不变,事物总在每一份每一秒间转变或消失……忠诚,让人们在诚惶诚恐间看到一丝“永恒”的希望。在瞬间变动的世界中找到不变,其实这种也需要其他因素来构成的“不变”(忠诚的体现),是否也是如幻影般不可紧抓呢?
我想了想,也没什么不对的。谁不想美好的东西能永恒呢?如果我们以自己所能及的努力去忠诚于某物,至少就忠诚于自己的承诺,忠诚于自己的选择,忠诚于自己的修行,那么这小小的举动就承载着深远的意义。
然而我相信,忠诚+灵修或让我们找到出路,而不让忠诚成为无比的执念。在灵修的道路上学会忠诚,再从忠诚中学会放下,那才是佛门弟子的所为啊。
My dear Hachiko! I get to know Hachiko and his story 3 years back when i traveled to Japan and at that time purposely visited the station with his statue there. I must say dog is always and always gonna be human’s best friend. To many of us, dog may be one of our companions. But to a dog, the owner is their world. I love Hachiko! Hachiko is amazing and wonderfully loyal. Very good example to reflect on each and everyone of us with Hachiko’s excellent qualities. Every relationship can be as simple just like Hachiko’s friendship and loyalty to Mr Ueno. Hope Hachiko had a good rebirth.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Hachiko with us!
Take good care 🙂
To me dogs are more loyal then human. I just received news from a close friend of mine, how his own kids betrayed him. This is not the first time I have heard news like this.
Hachiko is a good example of loyalty and friendship between the owner and his dog.
Thank you RINPOCHE for posting this true story!
This story realy touching my heart,Hachiko rely royalty and faithful to his master!!watch this movies realy puts me into tears,and remind us to be kind to animals.May Hachiko have a good rebirth and never to suffer again!!
I wished i had a dog like Hachiko ! But i dread the idea that if i predeceased him , he would be so loyal that he suffers like Hachiko, i would not want that ! I cried as i watched the Hatchiko movie on DVD that Rinpoche gave me 2 years ago , thank you Rinpoche ! As jaded as we are today , these are reminders that inspire us to continue on despite the many disappoinments we face.
The story of Hachiko never fails to tug my heartstrings. Whenever I recall Hachiko, I’d always have this sinking feeling in my stomach. Even animals can show such loyalty. Us humans should really learn from Hachiko. Thank you for the post, Rinpoche. May Hachiko have good rebirth!
I always prefer cats to dogs maybe because cats are quiet and they dont jump up and lick your legs. But cats are cold and they are not as loyal as dogs.
Hachiko is a classic example of being faithful. He waited day after day believing his owner would one day step down from the train. Its a truly touching story – it teaches us to be faithful to our friends, family and to our believe! Once we have decided what we want to achieve, just go ahead do it, without IFs, BUTs and WHYs and never look back.
I wish everyone has a companion as faithful as Hachiko.
Hachiko is truly a love story, as Hachiko has shown endless love for his master and he has hopes that he will meet his master again, till the day Hachiko died. We often heard of loyalty and heroism in dogs, and every story is always heartwarming and worth reading. It would be great to see such loyalty displayed in humankind, but sadly, loyalty in human relationship is rather fragile nowadays. For any relationship, it takes commitment, work and love. Otherwise how would it last till the end? If a dog can show us the way to love unconditionally, we can too.
Hachiko是部很动人,真人真事的一部电影,一定要看。我看了好几次,好几次都忍不住,掉眼泪,相信很多人都和我一样。
Hachiko是一只很有灵性的狗,它比人还要忠诚,可信赖。看看对待它们,因为我们是它的唯一朋友。
I don’t own a dog. But we all know that Dogs are Men best Friend(as the saying goes). Hachiko is not the only animal which has shown such greatness. But such actions from an animal is teaching us about loyalty, determination & faith. With these qualities, we can accomplish many things in life. We must reflect on this always.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing such Great Story of Hachiko
Hachiko DVD我看很次.,Hachiko令很感动。每次都哭出来,还有这样一个忠诚的狗,它每天都坚持去火车站等待他的主人,它不知道主人去世了,每天风雨不改,继续等待主人出现。
在火车站等了9年,直到有一天,他闭上了眼睛,此刻,他梦见,他的主人走出火车站,和他打招呼。。。。。
这个故事提醒我们关于诚信和忠诚态度,至于Hachiko能做到这一点,人类的我们做到了吗?
This is a story of loyalty where everyone can learn from. Hachiko probably does not understand why the Professor does not come back from work. Maybe he thinks that the professor has abandoned him but he still goes to the station everyday for 9 years hoping to see the professor. How many of us can do this?
It is great that the people of Shibuya remembers this dog’s tale and serve as a reminder to all what true friendship and loyalty is, even from a dog.
I have watched this movie, it is really a very touching story.
In that movie, Hachiko was actually picked up by the professor at a railway station as the box that contained Hachiko dropped and professor came to see it. At the beginning it was not easy, as his wife does not quite like dog but fortunately the whole family grew to love Hachiko as the days went by.
What touches me is the firm loyalty that Hachiko shows towards his owner, rain or snow, he would be there at the station twice a day. I do not know if there exists such as a human being in this world that will do this, frankly. Chances are, after a while, we will talk ourselves to the belief that we need to give up, dont waste time.
Maybe sometimes we simply dont need to think so much, so calculative and just do what we want from our heart?
Thank you Rinpoche for the message of pure unconditional love.
I have watched the movie on Hachiko and i just cried buckets ,from the beginning to the end as i know how it ended, having read the book and having had a little mini schnauzer when i was a child , who showed the exact same unconditional love to me. My darling Cassie ( Castro ) waited at the gate every day for me to come home from school. When i left for England to further my studies, he would still wait at the gate without fail, come rain or shine. My father would have to carry him in every evening (with an umbrella if it was raining ) and put him inside the house , if not he would sit there the whole night. My family did not tell me this, till Cassie passed away at the ripe pld age of 17 years old . He waited for me for almost 10 years. And if i had known then, i would have taken the first flight back to him.
I am most blessed that i had experienced this pure unconditional love since i was young, and have continued experiencing it all my life, and especially now from Rinpoche.
What we receive , we MUST give back ! We all are born with this love, love of the purest form, love with no expectations. If only we can open our hearts and give, give to all who are kind to us, give to those who had been unkind to us and most importantly, to reciprocate to those who has been giving and showing us nothing but Love. To humans, animals and all sentient beings.
We thank you, dear Rinpoche,for your unceasing pure love to all of us. We thank you with the deepest gratitude.
Am rereading this again 2 years since the post first went up – a lot has happened since then with the rescue of my own little pup who was in such bad shape that even the vets didn’t want to take him in for the fear of infecting all the other pets with his skin problems. He recovered beautifully within 3 months and is an amazingly healthy dog now.
But this isn’t a comment about animal rescue, it’s about the resilience of these beautiful animals who so many humans mistreat or ignore. They prove that they have much greater tenacity, ability to endure pain, loyalty and love for other beings than we do. In spite of all the suffering that many stray animals go through, it is extremely rare that any of them would attack a human or any other animal unless they are provoked. Mostly, they go their own way…. which often can’t be said of humans!
Hachiko is a lesson on how love transcends barriers. With dogs, there is no IFs … BUTs … they just love you till death … and in this case, he waited for his master until he died.
Hachiko has shown us that loyalty and friendship exists on different planes. With Hachiko, his love for his master was unconditional, unending. He was not able to say “I love you” but his actions spoke louder than words. See how he braved the weather to be there daily, waiting for him to come home. Would anyone (human being) do that for us?
Wow! How nice if I am welcomed home everyday by my kids the way Hachiko did to his master.It is a touching story.I will certainly share with my kids the video clips which earned my tears. We should keep this value of loyalty forever to make our world more lovely.
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this story of Hachiko again. This is a real life story of a dog and his unconditional love, loyalty and tenacity to his master and his purpose in life, to await and serve his master.
This story makes me reflect on the way we are, as liaisons and members and whether we possess such qualities to be endowed with such a privilege and honour to serve Rinpoche, the Dharma and Kechara.
Time to think how we (suppose to be a higher level being) are not even able to match the virtues of a dog.
Personally this story makes me feel ashamed of myself.
But I am willing to change in order to be worthy of my position in Kechara and I implore all of you to do so. We can change by living by the way of DHARMA, to live our lives in benefitting others. And let go of selfishness.
We truly wish that Hachiko may take a good rebirth and able to meet Dharma. Hachiko story is so touch and amazing, as i remember the quote from the article (Mumu & Camper)
” “Remember, your pets didn’t ask to be with you. You chose them, so be responsible and kind to take the best care of them for the rest of their lives.”” —- so we should take good care and full responsibility to them after we had chosen them.
This story also reminded us regarding Integrity and Loyalty, even Hachiko in an animal realm can do this as human how much we done???
Just reading through the text story of Hachiko has really indeed put me in tears, uncontrollable.
Hachiko as a dog who is in an animal realm has also shown us extremely good qualities in him, loyalty and faithful. We shall respect the animals and treat them well… they truly also deserve our loves… i can’t think of any other reason why people should abandon them on streets…
May Hachiko has a good rebirth~!
I read the story about Hachiko. Its heart wrenching…when I watched the movie about “hachiko”, my tears just couldn’t stop…. and even now.. I am not able to read the story posted by HH Rimpoche…. Hachiko will live forever in the heart of the people. I remember my own experience but not with an animal. I was jobless and sometimes, I had no money even to pay for my own taxi fare. On that particular day, I had money just enough to pay for the taxi. On my way out, I saw a small baby cry in the cold winter morning outside the place where I live. The mother was so sick to attend her child. The baby could be hungry. I checked in my purse.. no money, but just about enough to buy a packet of biscuit. It pained me to see the child cry and the mother helpless.I asked the mother to buy something for the baby. I felt happy and contented although I wished I had more to contribute.But I felt that this bit of money made a difference. It fetched something for the hungry baby at least. I smiled with tears of happiness. So I feel like Buddha said “Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed”
Hachiko shows humans what faithfulness and loyalty to the end means. Most humans lie and cover up, deceive, show no gratitude and deleted the word ‘loyalty’ from the dictionary. One day, the human race may eventually be extinct using all the negative elements due to greed and wanton of power, and more. Maybe a fictional story that may become a reality: How The World Ended.
Hachiko has showed us his Loyalty to his master. I like the quality of Loyalty, Sincerity and Honestly. Much respect to Hachiko.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing again this story to everyone.
Best Regards : Erickksiow
I thank Rinpoche for writing about this story. As a result I did notice the Richard Gere movie for free on TV and watched it. Like Rinpoche and others here have said it is definitely worth seeing. It is great that the story and statue of Hachiko are important to Japanese.
it is really a touching story and i was speechlesss after watching this movie……
Dogs are very loyal, faithful,devoted to their owners, it’s see how their owners treat them. Its same to cats.
Sometimes it need animals to show human being & remind them of what is important in live. Animals have alot of sense of human.
Love them more if you can
I watched the movie twice, once most recent in the airplane on the way home from Japan. It is a very moving movie, an eye opener where animal devotion towards human is exemplary. Here, we are we can’t even be devoted to our practice to share the good stuff of Dharma.
i like Hachiko’s story.he like human.i injoy to see video.thank you guru ji.
Hachiko waits is a wonderful story! I cried :'( but i loved it anyways!!! How can’t you love such a meaningful story!!!!
is that the real picture?
Sometimes it needs an animal to show human beings and to remind them of what is important in their lives. What should be important in everyone’s life is demonstrated by this dog’s devotion, loyally waiting for his dead master daily for 9 years. This shows that everyone in their life, be it an animal or human being needs love in their lives. Sometimes it needs an animal to demonstrate to us the amazing and important quality that we humans commonly fail to develope. We indeed have much to learn from a dog on how to create such loyalty and devotion. May Hachiko be blessed with a good rebirth and never to suffer again.
Hachiko reminds me of Mumu Rinpoche’s dog. Rinpoche has him for more than five years. Mumu loves Rinpoche very much and visi versa. Although Mumu cannot speak I can sense the close bonding between them. Whenever I visit Rinpoche and what ever Rinpoche eats Rinpoche will share with Mumu. Mumu will also sleeps next to Rinpoche on Rinpoche’s bed. He is very well trained by Rinpoche. Rinpoche has made Mumu the mascot of Kechara and also represent Animal Sanctuary which will be formed in the near future. Mumu will be the object to represent Animal Sanctuary for raising funds. I hope a monument statue will be constructed in KWPC when it is built to show that Mumu has been very special to Rinpoche and also to Kechara House Organisation. Everybody loves Mumu just like the people in Japan who love Hachiko.
Hachiko is a story of Devotion and Hope, or rather, never giving up on Hope. Even as i am touched by the story i am also reminded that most of us have our own “Hachiko” in our lives. Our own “Hachiko” may not necessarily be a dog or a 4-legged friend but living and breathing people who are still in our lives. Our parents, best friend, teacher, brother or sister…people who are always there for us. People who will never give up on us.
For me its my mother, some of the people i have worked with who have put up with my nonsense and bad decisions over the years, and a lot of new kindred spirits i have met at Kechara who have become my brothers, sisters, teachers and friends.
I am very glad to have become a part of Kechara and to have a Guru who keeps reminding us never to give up.
May i also echo Rinpoche’s words and wish Hachiko worderful rebirths over and over again.
Watching this movie seriously puts me into tears. Even breaking up with my partner don’t give me such a down feeling. Hachiko really sets an example of simple loyalty, truth, honesty and true friendship. He is just a simple dog with such pure heart. If only those qualities still exist in us, humans with ability to think and act, wouldn’t this world be more at peace?
Our existing life is full of greed, betrayal, lies, deceits, etc. If only we could think back our young days, where honesty and pure thinking were still in within us, would that make us happier? Many thinks by doing so is naive, but if thinking how to destroy other people’s life is being clever and outstanding, then honestly being pure and naive is a much better choice.
I have watched the movie about this loyal dog. I thought it was a fictional story at first. I later found out it was really real. They even stuffed Hachiko and put him in a museum. Thank you Rinpoche, for giving extra information. I have heard of a story similar to this one. The dog was in Penang. His owner died. The dog waited at his owner’s grave till his own death. They built a statue of the loyal dog of Penang next to his owner’s grave as a symbol of respect for the dog who showed true loyalty for his true friend! All dogs like this one, has gave me an inspiration to never give up on anyone and to always be loyal to my friends and family. His loyalty also reminds me to always have devotion towards my guru and the glorious Dharma. The owner and Hachiko created a bond that was inseparable like a vajra. They had real karmic connections. My dogs are good too. I think they are loyal. They are my fwends! Om Mani Pamde Hung! May your future lives be perfect as your are to be rewarded for showing such care for someone who is not related by species!
Hachiko was a breed of Akita dog, they have squinty eyes those traits that a lot of Chinese and Japanese have.Their faces do look somewhat like humans. I find it strangely moving just watching the clip of the American movie about Hachiko. Unconditional love, it’s something we all want and need, but how can we experience such a love when we do not even know how to give it to others? As Rinpoche said sometimes animals have a pure spirited love for their owners and they can teach us humans a thing or two about what it means to be loyal and what is friendship all about.
This story of Hachiko is amazing and touching, but what is even more special is that it is NOT UNUSUAL to hear of many other dogs doing the very same thing. My mother told me about her little dog Castro who she had when she was a child. Castro would always be there are the main gate of the house to welcome mom back from school each day. He was super cute and know when it was about 4pm, when mom would usually come home, and he’s go sit outside to wait for her.
When mom finally left home to go to university in England, Castro still never stopped going out every single day at 4pm, rain or shine, to wait for mom to come home. Then, at about dinner time, someone from the family would have to call him to come back into the house, if not he would just sit there all day waiting for her. He did that every single day for the rest of his life until he died.
Isn’t it heart warming to know that we have much to learn from our animal friends. I don’t think even I could have such loyal dedication to sit by the door and wait for a friend every single day until I died! I’d probably just bitch and moan and complain about how they “abandoned me!”
Animals like Hachiko are clear examples to us of how being born in an animal realm still provides the opportunity to do something good and express positive higher qualities. In many instances, when we look at the humans around us, being born a human certainly seems like the result of negative karma: these “perfect” conditions of the human life merely give us the opportunity to do more harm and negativity, and not to improve or express any goodness.
I say, three cheers to Hachiko and may we too find ways to always express these good qualities within ourselves too xxxx
Hachiko is a very special dog and venerated for his qualities of integrity, unconditional love and unstinting loyalty to his master.
Very few of us would be able to maintain loyalty to someone without any rewards, recognition or gratification in one form or another. Hachiko demonstrated such amazing capacity to love and feel for 9 years without getting a pat from his master who had passed away. He never wandered off to greener pastures or to another master as a sign of his deep loyalty to the one who had shown him kindness in the first place. Such loyalty is born from deep sense of gratitude.Something that most of us do not pay much attention to and very short lived.
Lets put our ego aside to learn from a dog to be better humans.
I have watched the Hachiko DVD which acted by Richard Gere, to be honest, I watch 3 times, and everytime I cry out loud, Hachiko is such a loyal dog, he waited his master everyday without fail at the railway station for 9 years, he didn’t know that his master pass away, yet he continue to wait there till the moment he closed his eyes, he dreamed that his master came out from the station and greet him.
I learn a lot from this movie, 1st is the loyalty, even a dog can understand the meaning loyalty, we as a human should learn from it. 2nd is the Animal Love, if you love and take care your dog, cat or any animal, this is how they repay your kindness. Always remember to be loyal to someone who loves you and always take care animal and LOVE them.
Thank You Rinpoche for the wonderful story of HACHIKO!
I used to hear from people, when someone gets hurt or cheating from the other party, the person who gets HURT will always say ‘ COMPARED YOU TO A DOG, DOG KNOWS HOW TO REPAY THE KINDNESS AND LOYALTY……BUT YOU DONN’T….!!!!
The story of Hachiko is a WAKE UP CALL, to those who always cheat and not loyal to their friends or someone who is closed to them.
A MAN’S BEST FRIEND IS HIS DOG… WHY??? WE AS A HUMAN BEING FULL WITH FEELIND AND INTELLIGENCE, COMPARED TO A DOG. WHY CANN’T WE LEARN FROM HACHIKO?? STOP HURTING, BE LOYAL..!!! WE WILL HAVE WORLD PEACE…
Angel
Wow! Hachiko is such an extraordinary dog…it’s really amazing! He not only demonstrates to us the importance of being ‘loyal’ and ‘giving unconditional love’ to people who have benefited & love us…what actually touched and moved our hearts is his perseverance, persistence, determination and never give-up hope on someone he loves…not until death do us part.
Hachiko’s unique act puts us all (human) to shame as many of us fail to realize that it is necessary for us to embrace these basic but important qualities in order for us to be truly happy from within, and in return, we will receive the same (treatment) from others whom we treasure and love.
I think this will be even more beneficial for us if we extend these unconditional love, loyalty, perseverance, never-give up, etc attitude towards others as well, apart from our own love ones. This is exactly what our beloved guru, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, does to all living beings…he is a great “walking role-model” for us to emulate, so as to achieve our happiness and remove our obstacles to pave way for good things to happen, i.e. our wishes and dream come true!
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
This story of Hachiko inspired me to search for the origins of the old adage: “A man’s best friend is his dog” (sorry ye married ladies, it’s not you LOL) and voila! found this link: http://www.almostheaven-golden-retriever-rescue.org/old-drum.html
It reminded me of how and why I should hold all around me with the greatest of regard and care: my family, friends, relations and most of all, my commitment to the Triple Gem and especially in relation to the scenario of a Teacher-Disciple relationship.
The story of Hachiko truly encompasses the true meaning of devotions & loyalty. In the story of a dog we can learn so much. At the point of reading this it brings my mind to my Guru , if one day Rinpoche passes away will I be as devoted to wait and wait until His returns or if one day Rinpoche gives me a very hard assignment will I go all the way and complete it without fail because the instruction come from my Guru ? Hachiko stories awakens all senses , this is the first time I have read of such devotions and its from an animal. To answer above questions I think from Hachiko I am able to find that strength and be devoted. I hope all students of Rinpoche always have Hachiko at the back of their mind.
Love , Devotions , Loyalty , Commitments , Faith & Sincerity.
Hachiko taught me a lesson.
Sometimes, animals demonstrate the most amazing qualities which we, human fail miserably to develop. Reading the story on Hachiko, put me to shame because whenever the Guru gives me a “ difficult” job, the thought of giving up will lurk at the back of my mind even though intellectually I know completion of the job is for my own good.
Rinpoche has recently reiterated on the importance of integrity to his students. In fact ,whenever Rinpoche asks us to do something he knows we have the capacity to do it. We resist because we are lazy to improve and grow.
Thank you Rinpoche for pushing us and never give up on us.
True animal devotion that touches the heart. We have much to learn fom such loyalty.
It was so happened when i wanted to watch this movie and i read this post. I agree with Guru.
Animal is also life/being that we have to respect.The love is so great between the human and dog. Something we should have between human and human – Peace.
Hachiko is indeed a great true story that touches everyone’s heart.
In deeper thought, to keep animal as a pet is not only about being companion to oneself.
It is the practical way of giving love and care to them as no animal deserves any ill-treatment from us human.
They deserve love, as much as everyone of us.
With love & blessing,
YF.TAN
I love this story. A great lesson in life for all of us.
Namaste H.E. Tsem Tultku and all,
You can watch the full movie (Japanese version with English sub-titles – supposedly the better version) at http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/family/watch/v171182978bBemafD
or watch the American version (Richard Gere) starting at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3x0JBUJt9I
Much love and blessings,
pat
I love Hachiko!
It’s amazing how a dog can be so faithful and his loyalty simply powerful!
It shows us how much we as humans can be much better with so many better faculties than dogs.
at the same time, these lovely fellas deserve our love as well:)
so let’s give them a little bit of love whenever we can.
cheers,
JJ
What a coincidence! Just arrived at hotel in Paris, switched on telly and it’s showing Hachiko! But it’s dubbed in French. Amazing story!