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Wendy Cook and one of the 140 rabbits being raised for meat she helped liberate, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
In July 2016, Wendy Cook, FPMT student and assistant director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive in Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, made the bold decision to rescue 140 meat rabbits from certain slaughter:
On June 13, I discovered a herd of rabbits being raised for meat on a farm near where I live. This farm is where I have a community garden plot and have been growing vegetables and flowers for several years. New farmers arrived to manage the non-profit community farm and they brought with them a rabbit chalet. When I saw the rabbits in dirty, small, wire-bottom cages, I was appalled and sad, and immediately felt that I wanted to do something to help them.
Detong was found in cramped, dirty conditions, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
On July 6, His Holiness’ 81st birthday, I prayed that if I could get these rabbits off the farm, give them blessings, happier conditions, and extended lives, then I would dedicate all the merit for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s long lives. During a meeting that same day, the farmer offered to sell me his “meat rabbit production business, genetics, and infrastructure.” I asked how much. He said US$20,000. Without hesitation I said, “Yes, I will buy the herd.” I think they couldn’t believe their ears!
When I said yes to buying the herd, I knew that I didn’t have the money myself. Therefore, I contacted friends in Singapore and am indebted to their immediate great generosity in quickly offering the funds to secure the rescue of these “buns.”
Dozens of volunteers helped rescue 140 rabbits, providing humane living conditions and exposing them to Dharma, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
After much delicate negotiation and collaboration with the farm, several weeks of intensive work, and with the help of dozens of kind volunteers, we were able to remove 140 rabbits from the farm into shelters, foster homes or forever homes! Please rejoice! Along the way, as Rinpoche advises, they received many Dharma imprints. I played them “Recitations for Animals,” recited mantras–especially Namgyälma–and they all were circumambulated around Buddha Maitreya, the 100,000 holy object set of cards designed by Rinpoche, the Sanghata Sutra, stupas and so forth. Also, it was extremely good fortunate that Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek and four other geshes came to the farm and performed puja for the rabbits and other animals.
Detong received emergency medical care and had a leg amputated to save his life, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States, September 2016. Photo courtesy of Wendy Cook.
There was one rabbit who had been kept from me and when I found him he was very sick and without water. I took him to the animal hospital in Boston and this rabbit, whom Rinpoche has since given the name Dentong, which means “empty of true existence,” had to have his leg amputated because of infection. The doctor said that Dentong’s extremely poor condition is evidence of cruelty and neglect. It has been a true practice to keep compassion in my heart towards the farmer while rescuing these rabbits. This animal liberation has shown me up close the suffering of samsara. We are all in this quagmire together and so every being is an object of compassion. That’s what I have focused and meditated upon.
The Boston Globe has written and created a video about the rabbit liberation in “The Great Animal Pardon 2016.”
Read more and stay in touch with the great rabbit liberation via Facebook.
Benefiting animals is one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vast visions for the FPMT organization.
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