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Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient being wants pain; instead all want happiness. Since we all share these feelings at some basic level, we as rational human beings have an obligation to contribute in whatever way we can to the happiness of other species and try our best to relieve their fears and sufferings.
—His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama
Supporting Animal Liberations and Prayers for Long Life
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No sentient being wants to experience pain and suffering. Unfortunately, billions of animals are killed for human consumption, used as live bait or food for other animals, and killed for their skins and fur, among many other terrible fates. Liberating animals from death or harm, and then blessing them with holy objects and prayers, is a way to help alleviate their suffering, extend their precious life, and create the cause for their good rebirth. The Animal Liberation Fund supports ongoing animal liberations offered by Sangha and students which include extensive prayers dedicated to the long life of others. Supporting animal liberations creates the cause for long life for the animals, for oneself, and for those to whom the prayers are dedicated.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche liberating 400 worms at the stupa at Kachoe Dechen Ling, CA.
Extensive prayers and dedications are made for Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his gurus, all sponsors of this fund, all beings who are sick or face an untimely death, as well as many specific dedications requested by the FPMT community.
It can feel quite powerless when one’s loved ones are sick or dying. The Animal Liberation Fund, however, provides an empowering, real-life way to face life obstacles: supporting the long and healthy lives of others.
Benefits of the Animal Liberation Fund
The Animal Liberation Fund works in at least two ways to benefit others:
It supports weekly animal liberations and extensive dedications offered by Sangha at the residences of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. When funds allow, additional animal liberations conducted in Singapore and Hong Kong are supported, as well as efforts to save the lives of animals at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal, MAITRI Charitable Trust in India and elsewhere.
It provides an opportunity for those who are sick and dying, or have loved ones who are sick or dying, to create the merit needed to overcome life obstacles through supporting animal liberations.
Animal Liberation at the stupa at Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, CA, USA.
There are enormous benefits generated from supporting animal liberations and prayers for long life. The recipients of benefit are: the creatures being saved, blessed and released during the liberations; those who support the animal liberation practice; and those to whom the animal liberations are dedicated. Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains:
“By doing prayers and chanting powerful mantras for the animals, they receive a higher rebirth and liberation. This practice purifies immediately the oceans of samsaric suffering.”
“For the person who liberates animals, or whoever wants to dedicate the merit to those with life obstacles, this practice helps them to obtain long life. Even if you don’t expect it, the karma will cause you to have a long life.”
Due to the kindness of sponsors to the Animal Liberation Fund, we are able to liberate approximately 75,000 sentient beings every year.
Additionally, our dedications list has included over 8,000 people.
Video
We have collected many videos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading animal liberations as well as animal blessings which you can view on the Animal Liberation & Blessings Video Page.
Further Resources
- The FPMT Foundation Store offers teachings and practices from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about how to benefit animals, including the animal liberation practice, in booklet and eReader formats.
- A collection of advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche about benefiting animals.
- Only from the mind of Lama Zopa Rinpoche comes Animal Liberation Tools, unique bug catchers that bless small animals before their release.
To send names for dedications, please email: Holly Ansett
The annual budget for the Animal Liberation Fund is $USD10,000. Any excess funds raised go directly to supporting more animal liberations which include extensive prayers and dedications for the long life of others.
How Can I Make a Donation?
To make a tax-deductible donation:
Or simply send your check in US dollars payable to FPMT Inc. and write “Animal Liberation Fund” on the memo line.
FPMT Inc.
1632 SE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214-4702
USA
The Animal Liberation Fund is a project of FPMT Inc. and is administered by FPMT International Office located in Portland, Oregon, United States. All donations made to this fund are tax-deductible within the United States in accordance with IRS Code article 501(c)(3) to the extent allowed by law.
For more information please contact: Charitable Projects Coordinator.
