Jangchub enjoying her new home at Aquila Nero Animal Sanctuary.

Benefiting animals in any way possible is a high priority for FPMT and one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the organization. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has explained many ways that we can benefit animals, not just by saving them from untimely death and caring for them for the rest of their lives, but also by benefiting them with mantras, prayers, and holy objects.

We invite you to join us in rejoicing in a few of the ways the Animal Liberation Fund has benefited animals in recent months. 

Jangchub is a two year old female horse who was born with a genetic problem with her feet. She is not able to run and can only gallop. Because of this, she was seen as useless and was going to be put down. Aquila Nera Horse Sanctuary in Italy, which has a close connection with Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, offered to let Jangchub live the rest of her life at their facility and cover her vet and medical expenses. The Animal Liberation Fund sponsored her food for the year.

Please enjoy this touching video of Jangchub’s arrival to the sanctuary: https://youtu.be/iCIH54Z0DbU

Due to his concern for the welfare of all living beings, Lama Zopa Rinpoche initiated the purchase of and raised the funds for the land near Kopan Monastery for the Animal Liberation Sanctuary to provide shelter and care for animals rescued from being killed, so that they may live out their natural lives in peace and attain a higher rebirth. The sanctuary benefits rescued animals, not only by freeing them from impending death, but also by exposing them to Buddha’s teachings. They regularly hear mantras and are led around holy objects. The animals are receiving shelter, food, veterinary care, kindness, and Dharma. The sanctuary has a main animal shelter designed to provide a healthy environment throughout Nepal’s seasons, has facilities to separate weaker animals from the main flock, and is designed to reduce water use and waste. The sanctuary has an animal shed, treatment and isolation building, quarantine area, and caretaker house. Every year since 2012 we have been supporting this sanctuary with an annual grant, and in 2021, US$9,800 was offered. Since 2018, US$79,400 has been granted to the sanctuary for the food, medical care, shelter, and support for the caretakers.

Rescued goats receiving a blessing from Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Over the last few months Rinpoche has bought fifteen goats from butchers on the side of the road in Kathmandu. These animals were liberated on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, all the Kopan monks and nuns, and for the Indian and Nepali people to be free from COVID-19. The goats were saved from death and will live the rest of their lives at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary or at Kopan Nunnery. Whenever Rinpoche sees goats tied up near the butcher shop, it is very hard for him not to buy the goats, often he stops the car and loads the goats without delay. If it is not possible to buy the goats, then Rinpoche will immediately start extensive prayers for them.

Taru Gayphel Tsogspa Animal Welfare Society is an animal care facility located in Ladakh caring for eighty-five animals. The Animal Liberation Fund recently offered a grant of US$20,000 for the continual care of all the animals at the facility for food, medicine, and shelter; and for upkeep of the premises. Additionally, Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked that eight five-foot high stupas also be built on the land, so that the animals can circumambulate the stupas.

The Animal Liberation Fund sponsored the liberations of approximately 71,791 animals at Kachoe Dechen Ling, California, and Buddha Amitabha Pure Land, Washington State, in 2020. Since 2015, 884,246 small animals have been saved from untimely death by resident Sangha and taken around an incredible number of holy objects. Mantras were recited and blown on them, and they were carefully placed where they could live out the rest of their lives. When Sangha finish these liberations, they make strong prayers for all those who are sick, have recently died, or who have requested prayers, as well as for the very long life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. All are welcome to request prayers and dedications from the Sangha for themselves or loved ones. 

Khadro-la and Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing goats in Maratika, Nepal, April 25, 2021. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

In 2018 Lama Zopa Rinpoche saved five goats that were destined to be killed in Maratika, Nepal. Since then we have been providing the cost of their food and care. And in 2021 Rinpoche and Khadro-la blessed the goats while they were in Maratika, reciting mantras and prayers for the goats and tying a blessed red cloth around their necks, which apart from being blessed with mantras, also shows that the animals have been saved from the butcher. The animals live in town, go out to pasture during the day, and are often seen at the Maratika Cave. They are fed well, get medical attention when needed, and prayers are done for them.

Please rejoice in another year of support offered to precious animals around the world who desperately need our help and cannot advocate for themselves or create merit on their own. 

All are welcome to contribute to the Animal Liberation Fund to help ensure that our work sponsoring animal liberations around the world continues.