By Kristine Honda
On April 9, 2011, Sakya Monastery held its third annual Live Animal Release Ceremony for the long lives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Dagchen Rinpoche, Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya and our lamas at Sakya Monastery. H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche, Dhungsey Sadu Rinpoche and his family, H.E. Dagmo Kusho, Venerable Tulku Yeshi, Venerable Khenpo Jampa, Venerable Lama Migmar, and members of Sakya Monastery participated in the prayers and in releasing captive Dungeness crabs in the vicinity of Anacortes.
It was a wonderful, blessed occasion. It was rainy in most of the Puget Sound region that day but in the area of the live animal release, there was no trace of rain. Over 150 live Dungeness crabs were purchased from a local purveyor who was kind enough to transport the crabs for us. Venerable Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche led the prayers for the crabs. The Aspiration of Samantabadra, Chenrezi’s mantra, liberation by hearing mantras, and long life prayers for H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche and H.E. Dagmo Kusho Sakya were performed.
The majority of the blessed crabs found their way out to Puget Sound. May they have a long life and a future connection to H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche and the Three Jewels!
This year, we will once again have a live animal release, on Saturday April 7th. Please join us for this very auspicious event. We can save lives and generate merit whether or not we can actually attend the release itself. Donations will be collected each week prior to the event and donations can also be made online. Please put in the comment box (if available) that the funds are for the crab release.