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Canberra Today 17°/20° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Lama with lots of blessings for babies

A blessing for little Padma Kater… Lama Choedak Rinpoche with parents Hugh Kater and Meixian Li. Photo by Danielle Nohra

TIBETAN Buddhist Lama Choedak Rinpoche will cheerfully bless as many babies and animals as he can on August 12, wishing them long life and health.

“Baby blessing augments the love and tender care for the baby from the parent to ensure a good upbringing in an environment where the baby is not exposed to anything but kindness, gentleness and selflessness,” Lama Rinpoche says.

And in return the community is invited to make a donation to the construction of the Canberra Tibetan Buddhist Society’s new, permanent home in Kambah.

“Baby blessings can also help post-natal trauma of the mother and increase the awareness and sacredness of bringing a new life into this complex world,” he says.

As for the animal blessing, Lama Rinpoche says they receive the same love as the babies.

“When they, like humans suffer from pain and sickness, often the owners put them down as they are no use,” he says.

“Animal blessing can increase the sensitivity of the owner and realise the sacredness of their life.

Peter Fraser-Hurle brings Lizzie for a blessing from Lama Choedak Rinpoche. Photo by Danielle Nohra

“Animal blessing can make them live a happier, healthier and longer life. Even when the animals die, those who are blessed will be reborn as humans.”

Traditionally, in Tibet, there is a day where animals are blessed so they remain healthy and are free of danger.

“Some animals destined to be killed are rescued and kept as a sacred life as a special pet and no one is allowed to harm it,” he says.

“Even those that are going to be killed are given some blessing and prayers. In Australia, I suppose all pet animals are kept with love and care free from all harms, which is very good.”

The Kambah site was granted to the Tibetan Buddhist Society by the ACT government.

“Our current premises at Evatt, which have been rented for 25 years, are inadequate for our growing membership and increasing activities,” Lama Rinpoche says.

The society has been renting a space at Miles Franklin Primary School, and Lama Rinpoche says the school would like the premises back for its own use.

“We will be moving to Kambah when we complete building the Stupa Temple of Peace, a traditional Tibetan Buddhist centre, adjacent to the Sri Lankan Temple,” he says.

“This will become a significant centre and home for the adherents of Tibetan Buddhism.”

Lama Rinpoche describes the temple as “user friendly” because it’s English speaking.

With a motto to break down walls, not build them up, the society welcomes everyone to its upcoming baby and animal blessing.

Lame Rinpoche is hoping the blessing ceremonies will inform the community about the Stupa Temple of Peace and will gather goodwill from the community.

“Tibetan temples are forcibly demolished by the Communist forces in Tibet, it will be important that we are able to build one here in our nation’s capital to help guard and protect our spiritual and cultural heritage,” he says.

Baby Blessing, 10am-11am, followed by the Animal Blessing. At the Tibetan Buddhist Society of Canberra, 25 Alderman Street, Evatt, August 12. Information via sakya.com.au

 

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Danielle Nohra

Danielle Nohra

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