Geshe Tenzin Tenphel blessing a family and their dog at the ILTK animal blessing, April 17, 2025. Photo courtesy of ILTK.

On April 17, 2025 Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa hosted a special animal blessing event. Carlota Pinhero shares the story: 

Our lamas’ teachings continue to live through our actions. Lama Zopa Rinpoche consistently emphasized boundless kindness toward all sentient beings, including our animal companions. Throughout his life, Rinpoche dedicated himself completely to the welfare of all beings, establishing numerous projects focused on caring for animals, liberating them, and creating conditions for their wellbeing in this life and favorable rebirth in the next. Anyone who had the fortune to meet Rinpoche witnessed his tireless blessing of animals with mantras and sacred images—his effort and devotion were truly extraordinary.

As we mark two years since Lama Zopa Rinpoche showed the aspect of passing away, and now joyfully celebrate the wonderful news of his reincarnation being born, Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) is honored to hold this special day of animal blessing in his remembrance. This beautiful tradition embodies the compassionate vision that Lama Zopa Rinpoche shared with the world—a vision where every sentient being, regardless of form, is recognized as worthy of our care and attention. Through these blessing ceremonies, we not only honor his legacy but actively continue the work of creating positive connections between beings and the Dharma.

Morning Blessing in the Ocean

Preparing to bless animals in the ocean on April 17, 2025. Photo courtesy of ILTK.

The events of April 17 began early at 10:00 a.m. at Porto Cala De’ Medici in Rosignano. Standing at the harbor entrance with a group of practitioners, we gathered to bless the animals of the ocean. It was a memorable sight—one group remained on shore reciting prayers facing the water, while another ventured out on a small inflatable boat, carefully trailing two large metal plates engraved with the Namgyalma mantra through the water.

There is something profoundly moving about this practice. These sacred words are silently blessing countless unseen beings beneath the waves. Watching the ripples spread across the water’s surface we can’t help but reflect on Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s view about our connection to all  sentient beings: we are all equal; it’s just that at the moment we have different bodies.

The words of our dear Lama Zopa Rinpoche, echo through this day: “All sentient beings, including animals, have been our mothers countless times and have cared for us in infinite ways. This blessing is a powerful and effective way to repay their kindness—not only by saving them from the suffering of death, but more importantly, by allowing them to hear the Dharma and thereby lay the foundations for a fortunate rebirth.”

Afternoon Blessing for Pets

After lunch, the main courtyard of ILTK was used for the blessing of domestic animals. The atmosphere was joyful as people arrived with their beloved pets: dogs wagging their tails and cats observing everything with typical feline attitude.  Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, one of our resident teachers, led the ceremony alongside Geshe Lhundup Sherab and our monks, nuns, and special guest Angelo Vaira from the ThinkDog School who shared, “I had the honor of meeting Lama Zopa Rinpoche in person and he encouraged me to continue my work as a teacher, nurturing the human and animal relationship through awareness and compassion.”

Courtyard at ILTK during the April 17 animal blessing. Photo courtesy of ILTK.

The courtyard filled with the gentle sounds of mantras as each animal had a consecrated stupa briefly placed on their head. Every pet owner also received a blessed thread and a certificate of participation, a small but meaningful reminder of this special day.

Reflections Over Tea

After the ceremony, many of us gathered in the Tea Garden, which had been opened for the occasion. Sipping warm tea and sharing stories about our animal companions, there was a strong sense of community among strangers united by love for animals and spiritual practice. Everyone noticed how some pets seemed to intuitively understand the significance of the moment, becoming remarkably calm during their blessing, reflecting the genuine care and respect shown to each animal throughout the ceremony.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche talked about these blessings saying that they’re not just about alleviating immediate suffering but about planting seeds for fortunate future rebirths for these beings. It’s a perspective that extends compassion beyond the present moment into a much vaster timeframe.

Why This Matters

In our busy, often disconnected modern lives, ceremonies like this remind us of our interdependence with all living beings. They ask us to pause and recognize the consciousness in every creature, no matter how different from us they may appear. This beautiful tradition bridges ancient Buddhist wisdom with our contemporary relationships with animals. In a world that can sometimes feel divided and harsh, witnessing such pure expressions of compassion restore something essential in our hearts. ILTK is always honored to host these types of events and welcome everyone to join, not just for your own pets, but for the perspective it offers on our place within the vast web of sentient life.

“We are all the same. We are all one family. It’s just that, for now, we have different bodies. I should feel as close to these animals as I do to my current family. I should hold them in my heart. I must free all these animals from all their suffering and its causes, and lead them to enlightenment. To free all sentient beings from their obscurations and lead them to enlightenment, I must attain enlightenment myself—there is no other way. To do that, I must practice the six perfections. Therefore, I will give the Dharma to the animals of the ocean by blessing them with the mantras of Chenrezig, Namgyalma, and so on.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

With grateful thanks to Carlota Pinhero and Fabiana Lotito for sharing this story. 

Many resources are available for those wishing to benefit animals, including advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and links to practices and materials:
https://fpmt.org/education/prayers-and-practice-materials/benefiting-animals-practices-and-advice/

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.