Lama Kunzang Dorjee Saves Bulls
Sometimes it can be difficult to define or explain just exactly what compassion or loving kindness is. Sometimes all it takes is a simple, yet profound example to demonstrate compassion in a way far more powerful than even a thousand words. Lama Kunzang Dorjee, of Jangsa Gompa in Kalimpong, India, provides us with such a simple, yet profound example and offers us a clear understanding of what compassion really means.
Please read the story of how Lama Kunzang Dorjee saved over 650 animals who were due to be slaughtered. The story will not only touch your heart, but will also open your mind to compassion and developing loving kindness.
Making offerings and taking part in rituals are important parts to our spiritual practice, but we must always remember the most important point of our practice: to be of benefit to sentient beings in every way that we can. Praying for the benefit of all sentient beings is very good, but it is essential to put our prayers into practice and play our own part in delivering that benefit to others at every opportunity.
Lama Kunzang Dorjee continues to work extremely hard to rescue and care for the animals that he saves from being slaughtered. His only motivation is compassion, and his only desire is to reduce the suffering of the animals as much as he can. In Lama Kunzang Dorjee’s own words: “The souls of all sentient beings are inter-woven through numerous births and rebirths in the samsaric world. We should show all animals gratitude and respect through compassion and sympathy.”
As a perfect example of compassion, loving kindness and care, Lama Kunzang Dorjee’s story is a must-read for anyone who is serious about their practice. Please read about Lama Kunzang Dorjee and use his story to think about and help inspire acts of compassion that you can carry out for those around you, as well as all other beings that you encounter every day.
Tsem Rinpoche
The Story of Lama Kunzang Dorjee and the Bulls
In two years, Lama Kunzang Dorjee, 32, who heads the oldest Bhutanese monastery Jangsa Gompa in Kalimpong, India, has saved more than 650 bulls and other similarly ill-fated animals from being killed in slaughter houses.
Lama Kunzang stated that his compassion was kindled when, in late 2000, five bulls which had escaped from a slaughter house in Kalimpong, forced their way into his monastery and refused to leave.
When the five bulls returned to the monastery for the third time the same day, Lama Kunzang gave them water and fresh grass, but they refused to eat.
That moment was a turning point: he had started to save these beings. He bought them for RS 45,000, built a shed and appointed a caretaker to look after them.
He confronted a similar situation in Mongar, Bhutan last year. Of the 33 bulls being taken for slaughter to Trashigang and Mongar, one walked towards a bystander and refused to leave, as if seeking refuge.
Lama Kunzang, who was then accompanying His Holiness the Je Khenpo, was once again deeply touched by the plight of the bull. Together with His Holiness, who financed the purchase of the bulls, Lama Kunzang negotiated with the butcher, paid and took over the care of all of the bulls.
Two days later, he saved another group of 25 bulls. Since then, people in Kurtoe and Mongar, Bhutan have come forward offering bulls and other cattle which would otherwise be slaughtered.
Some like souls have come forward to donate pastureland, saving him the trouble of finding a place to keep the bulls. Now his more than 650 bulls roam freely in two large tracts of pastureland in Lhuntshe, Bhutan.
Other sympathisers have donated money to help him as his acts of compassion were proving to be too expensive for his monastery to support alone. With their money, he has appointed caretakers to look after the bulls in his pastureland and to cover his operational expenses.
While His Holiness the Je Khenpo has contributed to the salaries of the caretakers of the saved animals, Lama Kunzang has spent over RS 140,000 purchasing bulls from butchers in the last two years.
“The people are aware of the Buddhist practice known as ‘tshethar,’ (saving and preserving lives) but they did not know how to go about it,” he said.
“The souls of all sentient beings are inter-woven through numerous births and rebirths in the samsaric world,” he said. “We should show all animals gratitude and respect through compassion and sympathy.”
The Buddha has taught that more than carving statues, building monasteries and reading scriptures, saving the life of sentient beings carries the greatest virtue.
Lama Kunzang, who is also in the process of establishing a sanctuary in Thimphu, Bhutan for animals that are going to be slaughtered in and around the capital, also hopes that meat consumption will slowly decrease as more people become aware of tshethar.
Letter from the His Holiness the Je Khenpo in support of the Jangsa Animal Saving Trus. Click on image to enlarge.
Letter from the Queen of Bhutan on Lama and Animal Saving
The Creation of the Jangsa Animal Saving Trust
Lama Kunzang Dorjee, the abbot of Jangsa Gompa in Kalimpong, who became known for saving hundreds of bulls, cows, yaks and goats from the clutches and blades of the butchers is the inspiration and driving force behind the Jangsa Animal Saving Trust, a non-profit organization formed with the sole aim of assisting and promoting the tshethar initiative in Bhutan.
The idea for a trust developed when donations started pouring in from Sikkim, Kalimpong and Bhutan as news about Lama Kunzang’s acts of compassion spread in the region.
After the movement reached Thimphu, Bhutan in early March of 2004, contributions rose substantially. In little over two months, the trust had collected about RS 400,000. Members as well as non-members had contributed generously. One member had even donated a truck.
The Trust intends to put on awareness and sensitization campaigns in the future. They have proposals to print, publish and circulate books, pamphlets, cartoons, comics and make films “on the demerits of eating meat.” They even plan to publish vegetarian cook books and distribute them to the public.
“Bhutanese have the habit of saying ‘we can’t cook without meat’,” an active founding member of the trust said. “We want to show and tell people that it is possible to cook meals without meat and to enjoy them. Researches and studies have also shown that meat is not necessarily the best or the healthiest food.” The abbot stated that the Jangsa Trust did not intend to criticize or censure those who ate meat.
Recent Activities
Besides overseeing his monasteries in India and Bhutan, Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche has travelled internationally, giving Buddhist teachings and blessings, and raising interest in animal saving. In 2007, he undertook a tour for this purpose in the USA and Europe, and he made links with other animal saving groups. In 2009, he has visited England, where he contributed to a university project on tantric longevity rituals, and also visited South-east Asia, as well as Hong Kong, where he is working on starting a Buddhist centre. Lama Kunzang is also happy on request to make up and consecrate sacred vases (including specially blessed ingredients and mantras from Bhutan) to please the naga spirits, which can help to bring prosperity and environmental balance.
Below is a list of Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche’s Projects for Enlightened Living:
The Jangsa Animal Saving Trust
Lama Kunzang is following the path set out by H.H. Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche in the practice of “tsethar” (saving lives by buying animals which otherwise would be killed) by setting up the Jangsa Animal Saving Trust and trying to save many ill-fated animals from being killed in slaughter houses. Lama Kunzang buys animals and either frees them into relatively safe rivers and lakes, or keeps them on private protected lands. He has also saved many street dogs in Bhutan , and has dog shelters and a clinic for dogs.
The Vajrakilaya Temple
Lama Kunzang is building a Temple at his Gelephu Monastery especially devoted to the practice and study of the tantric deity, Vajrakilaya. Vajrakilaya is a powerful practice for attaining Enlightenment, and in overcoming the afflictions such as anger, delusion, jealousy, pride and passion. It is also effective in pacifying social conflicts and disturbances.
The Meditator Yogis
Lama Kunzang runs a three year retreat centre for the higher training of his experienced monk meditators. He would like to raise sponsorship for the yogi lamas who have graduated from the long retreat, so that they can do further meditation retreats in the Buddhist holy places, thus contributing to enlightened awareness in the world Consecration of Buddha Jigchop in Chamgang, Bhutan.
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Very inspiring story of Lama Kunzang Dorje, the abbot of Jangsa Gompa in Kalimpong India Saving hundreds of bulls, cows, yaks and goats from the clutches from slaughter house. Lama Kunzang’s acts of compassion .inspired many people around Bhutan,India and so on to contribute money to set up a saving animal trust fund, and trying to save many ill-fated animals from being killed He built cow shed for those saved animals .
Not only that ,he travelled to a number of countries ,giving Buddhist teachings and blessings, raising interest in animal saving.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring article of compassion ,kindness and caring .
May Lama Kunzang Dorje live long and healthy to continue saving more animals and his teachings inspiring more people.
It is always inspiring to read stories of how one person can save so many lives. Lama Kunzang Dorjee lives in a country where man years of tradition of killing bulls, and yet he goes against the habit of killing animals to save lives. What Lama Kunzang Dorjee did reminds me of how Tsem Rinpoche saved many fishes from a restaurant which are also to be slaughtered as food.
It is therefore very important for us to spread vegetarianism as it immediately stop the killing of animals (at least a big portion of animals killed daily).I wish Lama Kunzang Dorjee all the success and save even more lives, and may more and more people setup shelters to save even more lives.
Animals have very strong instincts, they just seem to know who’s the bad guy and who’s the good guy. I’m very glad to know that hundreds of lives were saved by Lama Kunzang Dorjee, these bulls do not deserve to stay in the slaughterhouse and waiting to be slaughtered, animals deserve better!
This is another rejoicing news to read. Lama Kunzang Dorjee goes all the way to save all these animals and just recently I read an
article on the honourable Pak Mie http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/the-honourable-mr-pak-mie.html who saved more than 600 dogs and cats. Both Lama Kunzang Dorjee and Pak Mie selfless acts are an inspiration for all and I hope more people will come forth to support this cause of saving lives.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing, i wish Lama Kunzang Dorjee for long life and healthy to continuously benefit and inspire all the sentient beings.
i love these stories of people who save animals. I just read this article on Pak Mie http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/current-affairs/the-honourable-mr-pak-mie.html who has saved over 500 animals and here is Lama Kunzang saving 650. It is wonderful that people are willing to save other sentient beings from certain death.
Tsem Rinpoche himself also practises liberating animals destined for the dining table http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/saving-lives-at-restaurant.html and Kechara now practices animal liberation regularly, once a month http://www.kechara.com/support/events/fishy-freedom/
Do join us for animal liberation and if you cannot, at least please go vegetarian so you do not contribute to killing. Even if you can’t go vegetarian full time to start off with, you can try doing once a week, then twice a week and so on. Here are some great recipes to start you off http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/food-recipes
Lama Kunzang really live by Dharma and act Dharma! I am amazed how much he does and goes all the way in saving animals. Sounds so much like our Rinpoche. It is our dreams to one day have an animal sanctuary where we can save many animals 🙂
I do wish that more sangha would take up the vegetarian vows so that less suffering will be inflicted to those that have no voice! There is really no excuse, if you say you love animals and you practice compassion… if we cannot go around saving animals, and if we cannot a place to shelter them, the least we can do it stop eating them. There is so much benefit in term of good karma, good health and good mind. We’ve heard that people are actually more calm, have better health after they stop eating meat. I can vouch for that cos ever since I stopped eating meat… my asthma stopped completely and it has been over 2 years already and I no longer am dependent on my inhaler and I smoke still… so definitely cutting meat helps and works spiritually and physically!
Its amazing how many animals that Lama Kunzang Dorjee has saved, i couldn’t believe the number when i saw it. Its just amazing. So much compassion that he can save 650 animals. I wish that everyone would have the same amount of compassion towards all animals.
Such a wonderful and happy news to read. Lama Kunzang did something that inspired other people to do their bit. He showed people that everyone can do their part and help create the awareness. And He does so many things. He reminds me of Rinpoche because the things He does is just what Rinpoche is doing as well.
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/category/animals-vegetarianism
In one lifetime Shakyamuni was a priest who sacrificed animals to the gods, and in this instance we was about to sacrifice a goat. When he was about to kill the goat, the goat laughed and spoke up this will be my last rebirth as a Goat, I was a goat for the last 499 lives. He goat said I too was like you priest I used to offer animal sacrifices.
Very moving this lama’s work to take on the burden of saving animals. Yes animals are not made or created for our use and consumption. We were all once animals too think about it.
Animals knows where to look for refuge and help too. Reading this post reaffirm that animals deserve for love and better life. Lama Kunzang started from small with little funding, he puts in effort and it inspires other people to offer bulls, cattle or donate funds for him to continue this meaningful project.
It also shows that many people have a kind heart but do not know how and where they can do. Lama Kunzang is very kind to set up “Jangsa Animals Saving trusts” to let others to have chance to do something good for the animals, themselves and family.
Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche is very inspiring. Rinpoche reminds me of Tsem Rinpoche because Tsem Rinpoche saves fishes in seafood restaurants, dogs and birds in pet shops with very poor living conditions, and encourages all of us to be vegetarians.
The message of compassion is universal. We need to take the next step now as Tsem Rinpoche skillfully highlights:
“Praying for the benefit of all sentient beings is very good, but it is essential to put our prayers into practice and play our own part in delivering that benefit to others at every opportunity.”
Hence, Kechara is starting an animal sanctuary to save abandoned animals and educate the masses on animal welfare.
It is very inspiring to read about Lama Kunzang Dorjee work and his compassion towards animals. These type of blog post makes you realised that you have done so little. I find it more touching that there are people out there who actually will rescue and give care and love to animals who they cannot expect anything back. It is very refreshing from the Samsaric “world” you meet whereby everything is about what they can get.
Please read another blog post by Rinpoche regarding another person (Anila Kunzang)who goes all the way out to save and give love to animals.
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/ming.html
I read the story earlier and was filled with sadness. I read it here again and i felt the same cold feeling which was too hard to bear. But i cannot do anything of much help, for i am an ordinary human being-with not much richness, the worldly richness(money). I have always been compassionate especially to animals and always wanted to help them in every way possible but have been doing less than i could. From now on i will try my best to help in every way possible and bring as much happiness possible for those animals who are suffering. Lama Kunzang Dorjee’s great effort to initiate the Jangsa Animal Saving Trust(JAST) is a good example for all the fellow humane beings to follow the path of the great being and to help those animals suffering. We can contribute with what our capacities and capabilities can afford. Even a Rupee can be of great use if a lot of us contribute to this pious and humane act. So i beg and pray that the almighty-The Great Buddhas of the past, present and of the future to bless all the sentient beings and help us in the path of our every day life.
This reminded me of a news report few years ago –
A bull meant for sacrifice on certain holy day managed to get itself free and ran to a temple. The monks of the temple took pity of it, tried to negotiate with the other religious group to buy the bull off them. However, the offer was not accepted. When the bull was being dragged away from the temple , it literally cried out with tears flowing down. All the monks could do was offer a sincere prayer for its better rebirth in its next life.
Lama Kunzang Dorjee puts compassion into action and sets an inspiring example to all.