Dharma Kids Day on Sunday 7 December 2008

To celebrate the end of the year and to welcome the incoming year we organised an animal liberation day for the Dharma Kids Club.

20 little tadpoles were bought from the Nature Education Centre in Norwood, to save them from being killed and eaten by other animals. Liberating them is a great opportunity to create merit together and at the same time makes everybody feel good.

In the morning the children drew their favourite animals, did animal yoga and meditation and discussed if animals have feelings and emotions just like them.

In the mean time Ven. Jamyang explained to the parents the meaning of animal liberation; they set up an altar with many holy objects, and did the first part of the animal liberation practice. After lunch Ven. Jamyang taught the children how to sing the ‘Om mani padme hum’ mantra. While everybody joined in the singing the children walked around the stupas with the tadpoles, helping them to purify their negative karma and giving the all the blessings of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. After having given them our best wishes we liberated the taddies into a flowing stream in nature.

Particular thanks go to Ven. Jamyang, Christele and all parents who have given their love and kindness to support our Dharma Kids Club over the year. Happy New Year! Gesar (Gaz) Temur