By Tephun Tenzin Shastri
Mysore, 15 January 2007 – Continuing its drive to create public awareness about the need for showing compassion towards animals and the promotion of vegetarian food for healthier and holistic life as a part of its integrated initiative to translating the supreme advise and wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual and temporal leader of the seven million Tibetans, Sera Jhe Health Care Organization of Sera Jey Monastery at Bylakuppe, which is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Monastic Centers in the world, today purchased 300 cattle from various slaughter houses in Mysore city and gave them a new lease of life. The cattle were later entrusted to the care of Mysore Pinjirapol Society, a Jain NGO which runs an animal sanctuary at the foothill of Chamunda Hill.
The ‘Compassion for Animal’ initiative was sponsored by friends of the Sera Jey Monastery. The event was marked by special prayers attended by Sera Jey Abbot Acharya Geshe Lobsang Palden, Ser-Jey Khensur (former Abbot) Acharya Geshe Lobsang Dhonyoe, Gyumed Khensur (former Abbot) Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, Gyumed Khen Rinpoche (Abbot) Geshe Lobsang Delek and other high lamas and senior monks from Bylakuppe Tibetan Monastery, and Most Venerable Hai Tao, renowned Chinese Buddhist master and social worker and his followers from Taiwan. The organization also made a donation to the Mysore Pinjirapol Society.
Earlier on 14 January 2007, the same Organization purchased live fish weighing 1880 Kilograms from the market. The saved fish were later released into the Lake at Tibetan Camp No. 2, Bylakuppe. Fishing in the lake has been prohibited. The organization has plans to build a small temple, erect protective wall around the lake, and to develop it into a scenic tourist attraction, in the near future.
The positive karmic merit accrued from these acts of Dharma was dedicated for:
- The long life of supreme spiritual and temporal leader of the six million Tibetans, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
- Fulfillment of His Holiness’s divine wishes for the world peace and global religious harmony and happiness of all sentient beings in the world
- Promotion of compassion for animals and all living beings
- Showing loving kindness towards all living beings and adopting non-violent lifestyle
- Highlighting the need for giving up meat eating habit
- Promotion of vegetarian food for better health and hygiene
Sera Jhe Health Care is a non-profit charitable registered organization first established with blessing from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the purpose of looking after the health care needs of the over 3500 monks in the Sera Jey Monastic community. It runs a well staffed and equipped hospital and caters to medical needs of not only the monks but also of the local Indian people and lay Tibetans in the settlement. Environment is another area where the organization has made significant contribution through its sustained efforts and initiatives, such as cleanliness drive, tree plantation programmes and providing effective waste disposal services to the vast thriving Monastic community.
The organization arranges medical camps during Teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It also provides drinking water to the monastic community and takes care of the needs of the poor and elderly monks in the Monastery.
