Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering prayers to a rescued water buffalo Rinpoche named Bodhichitta. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has made it very clear that our job as Buddhists is to help all living beings achieve their highest potential, including the most vulnerable among us. While animals cannot create much merit on their own, there are many ways we can help them—saving them from untimely death, engaging them with holy objects so they can create merit and purify negativities, and helping to plant enlightening seeds for the future by exposure to the Dharma in a variety of ways. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a Kopan monk blessing a cow of the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, August 2021. Photo by Pema Lama.

Among the many animal liberations happening around the organization, as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we are also so happy to be offering substantial support to three beneficial animal-centered projects this year. Nearly US$22,000 will be offered in support of these projects and we invite you to please rejoice with us! May all of these dear animals, as well as all sentient beings, receive the perfect care needed for the benefit of this and all future lives. 

Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal

In countries like Nepal, the care and management of animals is very poor and animal sacrifices are common creating tremendous suffering for the animals and those involved. Since 2012 we have been supporting the Animal Liberation Sanctuary which is located on land near Kopan Monastery. The sanctuary benefits animals rescued by Lama Zopa Rinpoche—namely goats and buffalo, as well as other animals which have been saved, 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. US$9,800 was offered to this sanctuary for support of the dozens of animals now residing there. If you would like to support the sanctuary directly: https://kopanmonastery.com/charitable/animal-sanctuary-nepal

Stupa at the animal shelter near Institut Vajra Yogini, France.

Animal Shelter, France

In an animal shelter in France, near Institut Vajra Yogini, a compassionate caretaker has taken responsibility for many abandoned, lost, and endangered animals who would otherwise be discarded to live out their lives in fear and imminent danger and death. The amount of animals being cared for here is unbelievable and includes the following: 80 dogs of various breeds and sizes, three ponies, seven endangered cows, 50 goats and sheep, 19 geese including endangered species, two black swans, two dwarf pigs, 580 ducks including endangered and rare species as well as ducklings, 800 roosters of different breeds and about 300 hens and 800 chicks of all ages, two turkeys, one peacock, 30 guinea pigs, and 40 exotic birds. 

Almost all of these animals are awaiting new homes so they can continue their lives in comfort and care. At the center of the shelter is a stupa so that the animals can create merit and purify negative karma, and mantras are played continuously for them to plant Dharma seeds and create positive karma for their future. The current focus of this shelter is the renovation of the dog area and the construction of a shelter for the cows. We were so happy to offer US$4,861 toward the important work of this compassionate project, and we have pledged to offer additional grants to this project in the coming months. 

Jangchub the horse residing at Aquila Nera Project, Italy.

Aquila Nera Horses, Italy

Aquila Nera Horses started in 2005 in order to save and benefit horses destined for slaughter or coming from clandestine races, as well as to recover horses which, due to particular behavioral problems, would be killed. Land with 44 acres (18 hectares) was purchased in order to carry forth this mission. An organic agricultural company was established in order to create all the facilities for the horses—fences, boxes, stables, staff and visitors services, restrooms, infirmary, and other amenities. This company produces fodder for horses and agricultural products as well as vegetables, and next year they will also have fruit available from their young orchard. All of this is in order to support the horses and as a means for self-financing. We continue to sponsor one horse this year, Jangchub, a three-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. We offered US$2,2067 for the medical care of this horse for six months. 

This project currently cares for 31 horses as well as 30 hens, six ducks, and six geese. They have ambitious plans for the future including the creation of a larger lake for the birds and other animals, as well as other humanitarian projects through the non-profit including activities for diabetic children, and initiatives to combat bullying in a school in the area. If you would like to support this incredible project directly: http://www.aquilanerahorses.it/

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.