Animals honoured at Stupa blessing

THE atmosphere inside the Great Stupa last Saturday afternoon was calm despite being packed with owners and their pets waiting to receive a blessing from the temple’s monks.

One kelpie could be heard barking over the buzz of conversation and owner Maureen Donovan said her dog, Rusty, was a known trickster.

“That’s what kelpies are supposed to be, and he’s decided that nana can be a bit of a walkover,” she said.

Ms Donovan also said she attended the ceremony because she liked to visit the Great Stupa and wanted to get Rusty blessed.

“Even though there’s a crowd you can actually just feel it, for whatever reason there’s that sort of serenity here,” she said.

Another frequent visitor to the Great Stupa was Ayesha McMurray, who on this occasion had brought her two pet rabbits to be blessed.

“Previously I brought one of my chickens here and we just love to come out here with our animals,” she said.

“I just love their company, their friendship. I have a cat at home his names King and he is my best friend.”

Animals are not typically allowed to enter Buddhist temples, but Bendigo’s Great Stupa permits them inside at all times.

Monk, Jumpa Chupal, said fostering empathy for other living creatures through practices such as the blessing helped animals, but also people’s development.

“By us doing an animal blessing, or improving animals even just in the temple space, it’s really important because it can redevelop that committed relationship where we’re able to then appreciate all life,” he said.