488kg of Fishes
This MMS was sent to me yesterday:
“Dearest Rinpoche…Fishes have all been released:
1. 300 kg of catfish dedicated to Ladrang – requested by Rinpoche (this is for every Ladrang members long life, happiness and spiritual growth)
2. 88kg dedicated to Kechara Care & Kechara House by Su Ming
3. 100kg dedicated to Rinpoche’s long life and all sponsors and members supporting Rinpoche’s work by Nicholas
Much love…Andrew”
Yesterday, Nicholas Yu, Phng Wee Liang, James Long and Andrew Boon went to Kepong Metropolitan Park to release 488kg of catfishes! These catfishes are those that were meant to be sold at the markets the next day…so by buying them we stop the fishes from landing onto people’s plates.
It is good to release fishes. Whenever we have a bad habit, like always taking from others…to stop that habit we should do the opposite i.e. give continuously. In this case, it’s a bad habit/deed to take a living being’s life away for your personal consumption. So by releasing/freeing animals we can slowly cultivate compassion towards all beings.
The Chinese believe in the practice of releasing animals, especially during Chinese New Year. On the first day (which is on 3rd February!), the Chinese would usually release birds or fishes. They believe that it’s good to give animals a second chance to live, and hence they will have a year of good luck and prosperity.
Animal liberation is a good activity to participate in. In Kechara, animal liberation activities are conducted every month by Kechara Care. Many of the participants are families, where the parents want their kids to learn to care for all beings.
Our friends arranged 488kg fishes for us at the very very last minute! Nicholas thanked them by giving them ang pows, which are red packets filled with money. Part of the Chinese tradition during Chinese New year is to give ang pows to those younger than yourself, or to those that help you.
It was raining yesterday, but that didn’t stop them from releasing the fishes….apparently for the very first time the fishes were very active. Maybe they were happy to go back to the lake for Chinese New Year! Hehe
Tsem Rinpoche
Fishes arriving at Kepong Metropolitan Park
Fishes being brought towards the edge of the boardwalk
488kg of fishes lined up ready for release!
Finally released!!





























































I love saving animal lives and having them live happily. Even if it is for one more day I can have them live happily, it is worth it…
I really want to sponsor the next fish release.
I think I might start this tradition here since I live 4 houses away from Lake Ponchartrain, I can purchase the fishes and release into the beautiful huge lake.