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\u2019s monks.<\/p>\n
One kelpie could be heard barking over the buzz of conversation and owner Maureen Donovan said her dog, Rusty, was a known trickster.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what kelpies are supposed to be, and he\u2019s decided that nana can be a bit of a walkover,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Donovan also said she attended the ceremony because she liked to visit the Great Stupa and wanted to get Rusty blessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though there\u2019s a crowd you can actually just feel it, for whatever reason there\u2019s that sort of serenity here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Another frequent visitor to the Great Stupa was Ayesha McMurray, who on this occasion had brought her two pet rabbits to be blessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously I brought one of my chickens here and we just love to come out here with our animals,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love their company, their friendship. I have a cat at home his names King and he is my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Animals are not typically allowed to enter Buddhist temples, but Bendigo\u2019s Great Stupa permits them inside at all times.<\/p>\n
Monk, Jumpa Chupal, said fostering empathy for other living creatures through practices such as the blessing helped animals, but also people\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy us doing an animal blessing, or improving animals even just in the temple space, it\u2019s really important because it can redevelop that committed relationship where we\u2019re able to then appreciate all life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s monks. One kelpie could be heard barking over the buzz of conversation and owner Maureen Donovan said her dog, Rusty, was a known trickster. \u201cThat\u2019s what kelpies are […]<\/p>\n