Friendship Without Barriers
Dear Rinpoche,
I just got this email and thought it might be something that Rinpoche would like. Perhaps KNN would also like to add it to the website / newsletter? Very, very cute – even animals have more compassion and sense of friendship than some humans
Love,
Paris
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After losing his parents, this 3 year old orangutan was so depressed he wouldn't eat and didn't respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness. The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment centre. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated. The 2 lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since.
The orangutan found a new reason to live and each always tries his best to be a good companion to his new found friend. They are together 24 hours a day in all their activities.
They live in Northern California where swimming is their favourite past time, although Roscoe (the orangutan) is a little afraid of the water and needs his friend's help to swim.
Together they have discovered the joy and laughter in life and the value of friendship.
They have found more than a friendly shoulder to lean on.
Long Live Friendship!!!!!!!
I don't know……some say life is too short, others say it is too long, but I know that nothing that we do makes sense if we don't touch the hearts of others…….while it lasts!
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Dear everyone, please share these pictures and captions with everyone. It is such a wonderful lesson for all of us to learn. It touched my heart so deeply. Thanks Paris for sending these.
Tsem Rinpoche
P.s. thank you Shin for preparing these pics/captions up for me to publish on this blog with many other pictures you painstakingly prepare for me to write my captions, commentaries and what not. Much of the speed of my posts are due to your help in the preparations. Much appreciated!!!
How lucky the Orang Utan and doggie are….BFFs (Best Friends Forever) LOL
Aw….these two friends are so adorable .
Yes, the pictures of the dog and the orangutan really touched my heart.
It shows kindness and care are qualities not limited to the human realm. In fact these two animals are more human than many humans. We can kill in cold blood when we think someone has insulted us or taken away our possessions , reputations or we want something that do not even belong to us!
If we contemplate on the example shown to us by these two animals, there will be less arguments and bitching between spouses and friends.
A picture can paint a thousand words.
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this, thank you Paris for providing the materials.
An orphaned orang utan and a sick dog can become the best of friends through care and love towards each other, what more we human? It is sad that when we open the newspapers these days, it carries a lot of negative news among which, murder, rape, incest and child abuses. Thank you Rinpoche for posting this! It sure remind us of Rinpoche’s teachings to have compassion and care for our fellow human beings and animals.
Thank you Rinpoche for posting the meaningful story and lovely photos of orangutan and dog. And thank you Jamie to forward it to Rinpoche.
It truly that love have no limit either in human, animal etc love can happen with anyone and anywhere and real love have no agenda. I glad to know that not only the orang-utan has recovered from his sadness but he stays with happy with his best friend who company him 24hours.
Love is foundation of everything, i remembered in 27verse of mind transformation by Lama Tsongkhapa also mention how we should meditate and develope our love and caring. Let start our love with people in family and people who kind to us and expand to everyone.
Thank you Rinpoche, Paris and Shin for sharing this with us. I remember reading somewhere too about a cat and a dog who are good buddies while i cringe and disgust at the thought of afew cases i heard about recently. I go down to the streets of KL to serve the homeless and urban poor for the last few years. Afew months ago, 3 of our street friends were killed. One old lady was robbed of the food that we just gave her. She was hit and died of concussion. Another old lady along Jalan Sultan (opposite Komplex Selangor)who we served for the last 4 years also died from internal bleeding from a robbery attempt of the few ringgit she had in her beging bowl. An old man in Pudu area had his throat slit and robbed. These are separate cases happening at different times inflicted by one human being to another. How can a human stoop so low; to kill in cold blood just for one’s own survival…
These pictures are so cute, lovely and touching.If even animals from differnet spieces can share this type of unbiased love and friendship between them, it shows that the fundamental basis of love and respect exists in the lower animal realms.
Seeing an orangutan can develope such deep friendship with a dog, shows that the nature of companionships has no boundries, equanamity does exist.
The conflicts, fights, and war in our human realms seems so unnecessary when one contemplates on how these two animals overcome their physical and habitual differences and just focus on their commonality, which is respect, love and care for each other.
We human have a lot to learn here.
Thank you Rinpoche, Paris and Shin for sharing this lovely story with us.
The wonderful photos of orangutan and doggie make me remembered i encountered my toy poodle actually has a good relationship with a sick strayed cat my brother found at the street few years ago. Regardless of dog or cat, they played together, ate together, what amazed me was, the cat even cleaned the doggie face after their meals….Certainly, this is the very good example of FRIENDSHIP WITHOUT BARRIERS
Animals can be harmoniously living together, and life is short, why can’t spouses or sibblings? To cut off one’s selfish & ego mind , to cultivate kindness & care in order to achieve PEACE, starts from loving animals!
This picture is PRICELESS! I really love reading and seeing real stories like this. It is proof that true love and friendship exist and that the basic fundamental nature of all things are love and kindness. And everyone, no matter who you are, you need love. Isn’t it just amazing that these two different animals can show such genuine friendship that holds no judgment and barriers? It puts us humans to shame as we create wars and barriers between ourselves, and we are supposed to be the more intelligent creatures on this planet? We sure have a lot to learn from them.
And on top of that we create reasons and excuses to justify why we are allowed, that it is okay for us to even kill them and eat them. I hope this article will shed some light for those who can feel love to at least if you can’t save them stop harming them directly or indirectly by becoming vegetarian. What really have you got to lose besides your taste buds? Besides there is so many great place you can enjoy great tasty food without the guilt of dead animals http://www.kechara.com/dining/
Thank you Rinpoche for blogging this and thank you Paris for sharing this wonderful heartwarming news.
Don’t they make the perfect couple – one in need of of parental love and another in need of friendship. Was it coincidence that they met at the zoo or were they destined to be in each other’s company, to care and love each other? Do not the pictures just tug at your heart strings? What do these two have in common? The lost soulful look in their eyes and plenty of love for each other.
This teaches us not to be selective in our giving of love – if the doggie and orang utan can be the best of pals, humans should take this one level higher. Love and care for all beings without agenda.
Oohh.. so sweet of them! I remember Rinpohce blogged on a pair of special friends which was a dog and an elephant many months ago. It reminded me again that there is something we human could learn from animals. I feel ashamed looking at myself and the people around me. Even animals from different species can treasured each other so much, why are we human, who claimed to have the highest intelligent mind, hurting each other, harming each other, killing each other and the list goes on. Because of jealousy, because of anger, because of enjoy hurting others, because of indulge controlling others and it doesn’t stop here.
Thank you Ruby for sharing what had happened to the homeless. Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) will continue to serve and take care of 900 over homeless in KL so that they can stay away from this kind of violent.
I want to put these pictures in my phone as a wall paper so that it reminds me everyday that I must love and care about people around me just like the oranghutan that cares for his buddy, the dog. I must show this to my 2 kids so that they will learn how to love and appreciate each other more.
People like to hurt or abuse animals thinking that we are superior in some ways compared to animals. But this story proves that some animals can have better relationships than some people. People bully, abuse, mistreat animals because thay are cowards really. Some people eat animal flesh proclaiming that animals were made to be eaten by man how silly of them to think like that. Its all wrong view from their karma.
Its very inspiring to know of stories where animals of diffferent species can care and be friends for one another. If we do not care for one another, especially those of us in human forms is there really meaning in our lives?
I think what is beautiful is not just their friendship, it is also that they are able to see beyond superficial differences and find something in common to develop friendship. Well, the monkey is hairy, with long clumsy hands and are very articulate with the facial and hand gestures while the dog expresses himself mainly through the tail, ears and canine vocals. Who would have thought that such different animals could be friends.
That is more than I say for a lot of humans because although we, human beings are endowed with intelligence, we often look upon petty differences and create huge wars from these. Descrimination happens on all level of human society and all these can be traced down to small, petty differences. Therefore, this inspirational photos speaks a lot and is a great teaching that tolerance, harmony and acceptance is easier that we could ‘bark’!
I think what is beautiful is not just their friendship, it is also that they are able to see beyond superficial differences and find something in common to develop friendship. Well, the monkey is hairy, with long clumsy hands and are very articulate with the facial and hand gestures while the dog expresses himself mainly through the tail, ears and canine vocals. Who would have thought that such different animals could be friends.
That is more than I say for a lot of humans because although we, human beings are endowed with intelligence, we often look upon petty differences and create huge wars from these. Descrimination happens on all level of human society and all these can be traced down to small, petty differences. Therefore, this inspirational photos speaks a lot and is a great teaching that tolerance, harmony and acceptance is easier that we could ‘bark’!
: It such of nice and warm message to share with friends. Thank you rinpoche post up all this pictures. Even the animal can share among their friendship together with each other not just at our human realm. We must always show kindness and care for other but not just ourself.
I come across some people not have many friends and they always alone. They can’t get along with anybody due to self center and just thinking about themselve. I am lucky in dharma and work at buddhist organization. At Kechara, i have so many opportunity to help others. Kechara Soup Kitchen is one of the charity department go out all the way to help the hunger and poor on the street. All this are the kindness of tsem tulku rinpoche selfless action always want to help others out of hunger. Those action show how much kindness to people.
Regards,
Chia
I love it! What a cool article. The fact that these are different animals is testament to the truth that animals do have feelings, they do have a consciousness, they are just like humans, their intelligence may not be the same as humans, but there is a humane side to their existence.
We are kidding ourselves to think that some animals are here to be slaughtered for our food while others are not. Take a look at it, can you imagine if it were a different combination, say a lamb and a pig, or a cow and a chicken. Would all you people be ooohhhhingggg and ahhhhingg or still be saying um ummmm.
Wow!!! They are so cute and adorable.
Yes, I agree with what Paris said, they are much better than a lot of human, in this degeneration age, human tend to be more selfish, the attachment to this luxuries living are so great that it make us treasures our own treasures more than appreciating our friendship, a true friendship nowadays is becoming more rare as most of us are trying to use our friendship to help us to get what we want, when it comes to our own interest, friendship no longer valuable, in fact, we tend to utilize our friends kindness to reach out what we want. It shows how selfish we are.
A lot of people abuse animal, kill them for the pure selfishness, but truthfully, there are so much we can learn from these little friends, with their pure heart and intension, it really touches a lot of people’s heart.
We have no right to take away their life or bring them more suffering, as they deserve to live well as we do, we should not care only about ourselves but to someone other than es. If we want other people to respect us, first we have to learn how to respect the animal and show our kindness to them, Let us work hand in hand to show our love to the animal with Animal Sanctuary http://www.kechara.com/animal-sanctuary/
You know what? I think these two cute mumu were very closely related in one or many of their past lives! Their relationships must be very close that their karma brought them back together. Just look at their facial expressions and body language, they are so at ease with each other’s company despite the differences. Animals are beings that have so much negative karma (don’t we all??) that they are where they are in this life. Yet if we look at them closely, they actually have feelings and emotion! This, to me, is yet another a strong proof that there IS such thing as reincarnation! They are many examples of animals showing emotion: Hachico (In Japan, this dog waited for years at the same train station for the return of his owner who died suddenly of stoke), a stray cat which came to my house for food, he came back each night even on days that we went outstation (foot prints shown on car)later he brought his companion along during meal time and let her eat from the same bowl.
I really look forward to KAS to manifest, this is one way we can help our fellow sentient being in caring for them and, most importantly, plant seeds of dharma in them to take better rebirth!
These pictures are so cute and the two friends are simply adorable. The story of these two friends is indeed very touching. Real friendship transcends all barriers. It is the connection of one being to another without considering race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and in this case species. Animals are similar to human beings as they too need love, care and companionship. Animals have feelings and can feel sadness, loneliness and despair. The orang utan and dog above are an example true friendship based on mutual love, care, understanding and harmony with each other. The human race can certainly learn something from them…
I think that any body can be friends. It doesn’t have to be human with human, it could be human with animals or animals with animals. It doesn’t matter at all. As long as you don’t fight. like mumu and oser. they are great companions even though one is so big and one is so small. bigs or small, same or different it doesn’t matter anyone can be friends. I like the orang utan who takes care of the dog and the dog does the same thing. together they make a great team, just like me and Pavara (my brother). i hope that they stay friends for a long time. i hope everyone animal or human become friends. these two teach us a good lesson and they show a lot of compassion.
I think from this very meaningful postings we can learn and see that animals of different species and genetics make up can live together in harmony and in respect of each others. We humans should be better well off since that our intelectual are much higher and advance of them. But this does not mean that animals are more inferior living beings in comparisons with us humans. We can all learn from these two friends to be loving and have compassion feelings for each others no matter who we are. No matter of our skin color , race or religion. The ULTIMATE BODDHICITTA.
Another wonderful story!
It is so great that they are supporting each other in their life!
Looking at the world we are living now,people are fighting due to different races, religions,etc.
They just show us everyone can live together in harmony despite of different species!
BFF – Oh these two are so adorable. They look so contented in the company of the best friend. It’s lovely to see that they are totally different, speak different languages but yet can still love each other unconditionally. They have each other and that’s all that matters. Perhaps they were best friends in a past human life?
So much that we could learn from them. We often judge each other by what we see. We mix only with our own kind (our clique). Perhaps we could become friends with the most unlikely people if we reserved our judgement and broke out of our own comfort zone and be less selective of who we choose to be our friends?
There is an ancient Chinese saying: if we have the good fortune to even find one soul mate in this lifetime, we should consider ourselves extremely fortunate.
It is ironic that as human civilization progress, we hear an increasing number of people experience loneliness. In worse scenarios like Ruby shared, we actually cause harm and kill each other. How can this make us, the human race more civilized and evolved than other species? In this posting, it is evident that we are shamefully not.
This posting is a wake up call to us to stop neglecting precious friendships and to create new friendships. Friendship is beautiful and it is the core ingredient to successful relationships of every form. Perhaps the first step we should take now is to pick up the phone to call a friend whom we have put off for a while or write an email to someone whom we have thought of but did not manage to say “hi” to.
No matter how many times I’ve read this post, it never fails to put a smile on my face and warms my heart to see such friendship, closeness and care Roscoe has with his doggie companion. I love the pictures very much as it truly captures their close relationship.
Why must people put barriers and differences which divides. Humans are so capable and intelligent..yet so often capable and intelligent only for selfish reasons which brings unhappiness. We close up our own world and make ourselves lonely.
I love this post very much…which serves as a reminder that all living beings are capable giving and receiving care and love, no matter how different we all are to each other.
Oh! These pictures are so cute and adorable. Animals have feeling like us human. No man is an island and so no animal is an island also. They need friendship and company to love and cherish each other just like human beings. Hence we should treat animals kindly and not be cruel and abuse or slaughter and eat them. How can we mistreat animals who have feeling and wish for happiness like all of us? We should also not be violent and slaughter them for food. I cannot immagine how people can slaughter such sweetie pies and adorable creatures and eat them. If we can extend care and love to these adorable creatures we can also extend them to our fellow beings. It is a quality of kindness and gentleness we can incalculate in our society by being non-violent towards animals.
“…even animals have more compassion and sense of friendship than some humans…”
This made me ponder…
In comparison with what was read in the Lamrin on the preciousness of human life and its optimum value.
So are animals really more compassionate and have a better sense of ‘friendship’ than humans or is that a way which some would ascribe/attribute/impute these ‘humane qualities’ on another level of sentience, in this case animals?
Would these animals really know/understand what we are attributing on them: moralistic qualities or are they merely acting out of instinct/impulse on what comes before them?
Then what would be the preciousness / optimum human rebirth be worth just because there are some amongst us who in the weak moment failed to live up to being a human and why does Buddhist thought relegate the animal existence as being one of the ‘three lower realms’?
The Buddha Himself chose to manifest a human form over 2500 years ago…there must be a reason…
Moving Hearts
Warming Friends
Loving Souls
Lasting Happiness
Having seen these pictures of these two incredible beings, I am so touched by their friendship. In life on earth, it is without doubt that we all are interconnected and interdependent of each other to live. What is more beautiful and more important is that we need each other to survive and grow. And in the process, we do realize that appearances doesn’t really matter and should not be a barrier.
Come to think of it, if we’re able to see that it is not a problem working with someone beyond our ‘normal’ views to live, then it is possible for us to do MORE THAN LIVE together. Rinpoche has taught us that harmony and integrity will help us propel in life with many of the projects which we have in plans to help assist many sentient beings out there. I hope Rinpoche’s posting will help us realize this:)
love love love,
JJ
A depressed orang utan and a old dog seeking friendship, solace and comfort in each other, just like human beings. It shows that even animals have minds and needs like we do. They seek companionship, love, care and demonstrate compassion for each other even though they are from different animal kingdom. This showed me that compassion conquers all whether we are humans, animal or gods or aliens.
There is no difference between any living beings, animals or gods but we choose to discriminate them due to their color, looks, physical form or name. In fact there has never been any difference since existence. It is how we perceive animals or other form. If we like it, we perceive them as lovable. If we don’t like it, we perceive them as ugly. I am happy that these two animals are able to find love in each other and it brings tears to my eyes to see such beautiful friendship.
This Orang Utan and dog show unconditional love for each other. They care for each other. Even some humans are not as compassionate as these animals. The love they have for each other should be like how we love our guru, our Lama, being unseperable like a Vajra no matter what happens in our lives. I wish these animals have a good rebirth in their next life for creating an example towards most of humanity that animals can show a form of compassion and care for each other unlike some people who even split apart from their own families. Roscoe felt so sad to depart from his family when his parents died, most humans wait for their parents death so that they can collect the inheritance! I feel that the world needs to be much more loving and caring towards each other and towards animals!!!!
What these guys show? That opposites really do attract! It’s amazing how such stories exist, but exist they do, and to me, this one in particular is a fabulous display of how love, kindness and compassion transcends and overcomes all kinds of “differences”. If an orangutan and a dog can love each other so completely, then how dumb we must be as a species if we can see religion, the colour of one’s skin, nationality and race as reasons for division, mistrust, hate and conflict. And humans are supposed to be the most intelligent of the bunch?…
Thank goodness for the wisdom of animals for providing such wonderful examples from which we can all learn.
Kind regards,
Sandy
Although humans are hailed as the “crowns of creation” because we reign at the top of the food chain and we are endowed with so-called intelligence, but animals may have something that we so clearly lack – a natural instinct to care. It is sad to know that even animals can behave in a more noble way than some humans. I don’t think animals are born to be vicious. They are just defending their own right to live. Humans are the ones who are so pre-occupied with the taking away of other people’s right to live, and especially, the animals’ right to live on this earth. Without mutual respect and understanding, humanity will kill off one another someday. Hence, this is why friendship is so crucial. It is the very fabric that weaves our society as one. There is so much more we need to learn from one another, and also, from the other beings on this planet. Friendship is indeed the best gift of life. It transcends everything negative. We need more friendship and less hatred and we seriously need to lose that “disrespect of all life forms”.
Oh wow! this article is inspiring in so many ways! It shows that even animals of different species and dispositions can get along without hurting each other, so friendship is definitely possible in between species and this is the main proof that it exists.
Because of this, i believe i can also get along with people that i dont normally get along…if an orangutan and a dog can get along it means i can get along with another person that dosent like me and i dont like him…if i could put aside our differences and try to work things out and see that person as another sentient being instead of letting my hangups…i could be friends and be less unhappy…
It is warm and heartening to see the orang utan and dog sharing the close bond and love yet cold and disheartening to read news of the fighting, killing, rape and pillage that humans do to one another. Worse, these acts are being committed to the ones we say we love.
I reckon we do not take the responsibility to change ourselves but instead take every opportunity to blame others and divert it to cover for our own inadequacies, selfishness and laziness. It is so hard wishing, wanting and giving others the best but it is so easy when it comes to us. Even when it comes to making offerings to the Buddhas, we do not offer the best within our capability.
When Kechara Animal Sanctuary is up, we hope to see animals like these living free and happily among each other and roaming the wide expanse.
Friendship Without Barriers
Thanks for sharing with us this articles of BFF. This shows that we can learn from these two loving animals about caring and loving each other. Most of us tend to takes things for granted and in some ways as well hurt each other without realizing that we are hurting ourselves indirectly. These two bff is a good article for the 1Malaysia programme, this picture can portray that we can be friends with others without any barriers such as races, religions and cultures. I love this article as it shows no matter what race, religion and culture we are in, we can be best friend forever.
So adorable!! one of the most intelligent primates and man’s best friend. Not really a shocker is it?
Animals have no grudges, discrimination, preferences, no hidden agenda really. They just follow their heart and their instinct. To show love is to receive love and to give without expecting anything in return is really remarkable.
We humans have been too ‘polluted’ to judge and discriminate one another. It all boils down to ego. how many of us can give and not expect any payback (really we do want some sort of acknowledgement or praise) no matter how much we say otherwise. when we receive a gift, is it really- ‘it’s the thought that counts?”
We can learn so much from this story. it’s so heart warming and wonderful. thank you for the post.
If an orang-outang can befriend a dog, and a dog an orang-outang, doesn’t it prove that friendship does not know the barrier of species. So where is the barrier? Is there one? If there is actually none, but only those we create ourselves out of our delusions, what does it mean? Perhaps it means that we can become a friend to the world, and the world can become a friend to us… I like that thought, it feels so real actually. When I see these pictures, it reminds me of that thought and I think this is why there is a happy feeling arising in me upon sighting these two guys.
If these two can get along, what are we waiting for to along with others too?
Its fascinating that two very separate Animals can share the beautiful gift of friendship. Roscoe and his friend lead a great example that most of us humans currently lack today. Many of us selfishly only think about our “wonderful” self however if an orangutan can put his friend before himself why can’t we?. We should learn to love and care about everyone in this world evenly, irrespective of our race, our skin colour and even our likes and dislikes , with hopefully the same heart and intentions as Roscoe. These two animals are simply a miracle.
These pictures are truly inspiring and thank you so much for posting this incredible story of love and friendship.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us lovely photos of this two unlikely friends together! It touches me a lot and gives me a meaning of love can be so simple. Both of them have blended in so well despitetheir physical and habitual difference while we have people hating each other for being different from their own kind. I have seen more of such incidences between different species of animals all together and it proved me that this is not just coincidental.
We need to learn more in accepting others for being different or doesn’t share our opinion and love each other without agenda as shown in these beautiful pictures.
Most humans live either for the future or in the past. But according to Cesar Millan, the famous dog whisperer, animals especially dogs live in the present moment. Unlike humans, although the animals may have suffered traumatic experience in the past, but they will recover very quickly as soon as they receive the proper care and attention. It is something that we can learn from these wonderful animals… to start living in the current moment.
These 2 wonderful creatures are so calm and balanced. I get a peaceful and loving feeling just by looking at these 4 photos! Such wonderful energy! We too can achieve this by loving and caring for others without expectation.
Thank you Rinpoche, Paris and Shin for sharing this wonderful story and photos.
A picture paints a thousand words. This saying is so apt with the series of pictures posted here. Despite the difference in physical attributes and the boundaries between the orang utan and dog, upon looking at the picture, the only thing that you will notice is neither the difference in their looks nor the difference in species, mentality or behaviour between them; what captures your heart is the genuine bond between them that is unmistakable. The depth of their friendship protrudes like a shining star amongst a clear sky, and it is obvious that the only thing that the orang utan and the canine is interested in is the care, bond, friendship, respect and compassion they have for each other. And that is all they need.
It is funny how some humans, who have such similar features can do detriments to one another whilst 2 animals from completely different species can get along so well with one another, when they are barely able to communicate. It goes to show the selfishness and egoistical minds that certain beings possess, where they are unable to see deeper than the outer physique separating humans (in terms of race), and keep discrimination a part of today’s society. Animals have so much more compassion for each other sometimes, and humans, just can not be bothered to care for one another. This picture puts the human behaviour to shame and should be used as a constant reminder to all of us of what we could harmoniously achieve if we all put others ahead of ourselves, and show a little kindness and compassion to one another..
The pictures of orang utan and the dog are so cute and adorable. I am sure it has touched many people’s hearts. The way they have posted in the pictures showed how loving they are and enjoyed each other’s company very much all day long.
I believed they must have been buddies in their past lives! Even animals of different species can display their love deeply and care for each other so much.
As human beings, we have greater capacity of thinking hence should be able to benefit and to help others when people needed help. By looking at them indirectly can help us to let go of our ego and attachment by showing love and care for others so that the world will be a better and peaceful place to live in.
Animals can also have emotions. This is a real story about how 2 animals of different species can be brought out of depression with new found companionship. Animals can also find happiness among themselves. There was a baby orang utan of 3 years old who had lost his parents and feel depressed. No doctors or medication can bring him out of his depression until a sick dog was brought to the animal clinic for treatment. The depressed orang utan saw the dog. And both responded to becoming friends. The veterinarian thought that the orang utan would die due to his depression. He cannot eat or relaxed. The orang utan and dog became good friends after meeting at the animal clinic. And they lived a happy life afterthat. The point is not only human needs companionship. But animals need it just as much. Animal life is the same like humans except animals don’t have the intelligence but they have emotion too.
Lovely pictures. This makes me think.. When one’s thought hope is lost, it’s really not. One’s just have to look elsewhere and let go of the conventinal thoughts. Any living beings can coexists. This also showed me that animals does have the same feelings like we human do. Think i’ll stop eating meat from now…
When I saw these photos, it makes me feel kind of strange and weird – how can an orangutan that is totally a different species from dog; an orangutan that mainly lives on tree and a dog that only lives on ground can be friends. They have a totally different way of communication. It make me wonder how are able to communicate with each other???
But at the same time it is extraordinary and miracle to see that these two are able to bond, support and understand each other.
Whereas we human beings are of same kind of species are unable to live in harmony with each other and help each other…
The first thought that came into my mind when I saw these pictures was that, “Goodness! dont they look like human? they even pose for the camera just like any small kid or adults would.” So adorable. And they say animals cant think or stupid but aren’t we all connected when it comes to love. Humans, who can think and talk does stupid things as well just that we don’t see nor feel it. And when we do, we ignore it and refuse to change. The love and care shown in the pictures are no doubt indescribable. Rinpoche loves animals and would always feed the strays wherever/whenever. Kechara Organisation have a Kechara Animal Sanctuary (http://www.kechara.com/animal-sanctuary/) because of Rinpoche’s love and compassionate mind for the animals as well.
Very lovely article. Even animals of different species can coexist and have a friendship without boundaries. If we humans can get along as well as these two.
My parent past away when i was young. i still remember when the day my mum leave me, im 15years old. i cry till mad, even in the funeral i still cant accept it! im so down, from a funny to helpless peron. everyday like everyone owe me something! in this 1year ,my friends notice and bring me out from there!
I love Kechara. In here have many way for me to learn dharma. After all this I understand sit there cry , don’t eat, do something to hurt ourselves are not the best thing we can do!
Now I understand if I love someone deeply, the best way is dedicate all my hard work for they ! http://www.kechara.com
Both the orang utan & dog is so adorable. It’s so nice to know that their friendship helped each other out and to find their purpose in life to love. There’s a lesson that we can learn here; even animals can put their differences aside and share the love & trust. So we have no excuses as well and should practice appreciating our loved ones and make more friends instead of enemies. These pics also reminds me of the earlier post on the friendship between the elephant and the dog. When the dog was sick, the elephant waited for her best friend outside everyday until the dog recovered and was able to walk again.
It is so touching.
Thank you Rinpoche & Jamie for sharing these lovely pictures.
Animals are also capable of compassion, not only for their own kind but also for other animals. Some dogs are very loyal and would protect their masters with their lives. We have heard of animals of one species taking care of another from a different species. This is quite common. The orang utan and the dog must have felt each other’s loneliness and decided to become friends and take care of each other. The orang utan is far away from his natural habitat – the jungles of Borneo and the dog is probably a stray that needs the company of a human being. To him, the orang utan is probably the next best thing. Orang utans are very intelligent and at times, almost human.
How wonderful if everyone could get along like these two here. Despite their differences, they are able to get along and bond just for the mere fact that both have a life and a soul. And we humans, we cannot even get along with each other although we are of the same species. There is such a strong lesson to be learnt here, as long as we can love another, we should be able to get along with everyone and every living thing. Let’s use these two wonderful creatures to open our hearts and welcome the next person we see into our lives and learn to love them. For what is life without love?????????
Yup… LOVE knows no boundaries. What you need is just an open heart to give and to take. And most importantly is to share.
Too many things happen out there that makes us lose our sight of what’s important. Or people nowadays just do not perceive that LOVE and loving each other’s is that important. Maybe its just enough for them to just love themselves and centre everything around themselves only. Or they just too numb and forget how to LOVE… each other.
Though this is just pictures of two animals from two different species being chummy. We should always see beyond the obvious. These are two lost souls “who” found comfort and love in each other. They make it happen. Why cant we “which” are born with all the gifts in this world learn from them?
The world will be a better place even when we just give it a try.
And yes… Long Live Friendship.
I’d like to draw everyone’s attention to the fact that this isn’t an isolated example. There have been many, many documented examples of how animals exhibit so much compassion and friendship for each other, ACROSS SPECIES.
Stunning examples that we should really learn from. Humans can’t even get along with their siblings or their mother-in-laws! History has seen people trying to obliterate entire races. Racist, homophobic, sexist hate campaigns continue throughout the world. WHY DO WE DO THIS TO EACH OTHER?!
In the spirit of discovering greater friendship, I decided to go have a look at some other animal videos (there’s thousands on youtube). Here are some of my favourites:
1) Tara the elephant & Bella the dog: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/04/please-see-tara-bellait-will-really-inspire-you.html
2) Iguana and Sharky the Pitbull Terrier (known for being REALLY aggressive): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUmJFFKXIxY
3) A cat and a Rat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks
From the photos you can really see that they are so best friend. I can feel caring in them. So weird, two different species of animals can be so close to each other as if like they are from the same species. The photos really show the most beautiful
‘friendship’ photos I ever seen.
Shame to human as they are people who do not treasure friendship that trigger from their selfishness mind. I’m referring to human and human not human with animals but even so it is not the issues because we can see that even human can be better friend with animals.
If we can let go our self cherishing mind and be more grateful to people there will be a lasting friendship despite of different skin color, languages, races, religions & origins.
Love the pictures!
This inspiring story can serve as a learning point to all of us to not be selective with the crowd around us, and to accept and treasure the differences of others.
Many times we’ve seen humans, stoop as low as to ostracize people that are different from them. Sometimes not only the extent of color, race and religion… for example men oppressing women in certain parts of the world; A challenged child abandoned in homes for special people; The old and sickly abandoned in hospitals or old folks home…
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story =)
The pictures should always be a reminder for me that ‘a being is a being’ no matter how he/she/it looks like
Dharma is not just related to prayers,chanting,meditating,offering incence etc..It’s more than all these,it’s about being kind to people and animals and basically all living beings,not inflicting harm onto others but to be of benefit to others.Dharma lesssons are also not limited to books alone,these two loving buddies sure touch the heart of everyone who sees them together in all those cute pictures.We can really learn a thing or two from them.Even animals can show so much affections,they too have feelings just like us but most times we disregards animals as something that’s not worthy of any care or attentions.Knowing Buddhism has made me look at all things and animals differently.There are 6 realms in the wheel of life,and this wheel of life basically sums up our existence in samsara according to buddhism,one of them is animal realm,the rest are gods,demi gods,human, hell n hungry ghost.We may be human in this life but our next rebirth could be anywhere in one those realms.This is where the Lamrim plays the role of showing us the path to not just fall into the three lower realms but toward the path of enlightenment.
Animal love is something so pure and innocent. They are just like small children where everything is simple and if they bond their friendship with each other, it will seem to last forever during that time.
Looking at the 2 friends, will make us think, 1 is an orangutan and another is a dog. They had great companionship with each other without holding grudges and spend so much time together.
But what is happening to our world? Racism happens, speculation happens, jealousy happens, religion discrimination happens. Yet we are suppose to be the highest in the animal kingdom ranking because we have mind to think? (I think I remember that in science class if I am correct) But yet, we have so many negative actions in ourselves. We can really learn from our 2 furry friends here.
It is indeed most touching to see love, care and friendship been demonstrated in such genuine, simple and sincere way without any pretence. It put a smile on my face to see something so beautiful and heartwarming and yet it makes me feel ashamed that human beings have descended to such a level that we may have to take lessons from the animals on how to express love and care.
It is amazing that they are animals of two different species, yet able to have so much genuine love and care for each other. Not a single word was exchanged between them, just pure love and action.
Humans are of the same specie, supposedly highly intelligent, capable of deep understanding, speaks different languages and yet so much conflict and killings everywhere. Are we better off than animals?
Orang-utan and dog, polarbear and dog, cat and dog, cat and guineapig.. whatever the combination; the bond between the two amazing creatures have broken through any stereotype or barriers drawn by primal survival instincts. This is an amazing example that we do not need to live by the unwritten rule of social expectations and its discriminations. If animals can bond and love one another unconditionally, why is it that human beings (who are supposedly the superior form of beings, intellectually) cannot? It’s about time people learn to put aside each other’s ego and selfishness; and try embracing tolerance and harmony. We need to cultivate a more supportive and caring environment for our next generation and the generations to follow.
The uploaded images of the orang-utan and his doggie soulmate are priceless. They are very touching – so innocent, so pure. Thank you for sharing the post with us, Rinpoche!
It is also so adorable and it touches one’s heart warm with admiration towards them. These pictures clearly show that love and kindness can be cultivated irrespective of one’s own decree or differentiation of type be it colour, height, size, culture, religion, countries or even different type of species. It gives a bigger message to us why do we fight, quarrel, bitching, etc. for the sake of name or ego. To show that one is more superior to others? But in this present existence be it human or animal, survivor of one’s ego overrides everything and thus, hatred, anger, jealousy, abuse, enemies, etc. would surface. Thus, if every being is to learn, contemplate and understand the law of karma and practises love and kindness to each other there will not be wars or enemies. Love and Kindness always overcome hatred and anger.
Both the orang utan and the dog look so cute together. These 2 ‘lost’ and ‘broken’ souls found peace and comfort in each other and a bond was built between them.
It is just like another friendship between an elephant and a dog, Tarra and Bella, who fostered an incredible and unusual friendship. When the dog was sick and was sent to the infirmary, the elephant stood by the infirmary day and night waited for the dog. The attendants then brought the dog to the elephant and they spend the time there till the dog was healed. What an amazing friendship.
http://www.youtube.com/user/tsemtulku#p/u/112/4YsyQ2AlMqs
This lasting friendship was built on the foundation of trust and there are no mind games, just pure friendship. If only we human could learn from these innocent animals, the world would be a better place for everyone!
This posting reminds me that sometimes your best friend may be the most unexpected person in your life. I feel that when you reach out and make an effort with things you resist the most, the best results may arise from it. This posting also shows me that the worse of scenarios may also be a blessing. Both the orangutan and the dog were in a bad shape when they met and the kindness they showed each other created the strongest of friendships despite their vast differences. I hope mankind with different cultures, religions and political beliefs can see what can happen through kindness and the ability to see pass differences. Stronger ties can be made among man in my view because sometimes, differences in man is greater than the difference between an orangutan and a dog.
Wee Liang
Let’s learn a lesson from our animal friends. If they can see past their difference in species and size to form lasting bonds, surely humans can do the same also. The Internet abounds with tales of these unlikely friendships such as
Tara and Bella (an elephant and dog)
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4696315n
Owen and Mzee (a baby hippo and a 130 year old tortoise)
http://www.owenandmzee.com
and many more such stories linking crows, more elephants, monkeys, pigeons and more.
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/06/10-unbelievable-unlikely-animal-friendships.php
And in the case of people, some noteworthy friendships include that of Ann Atwater, a military black activist and an ex Ku Klux Klan Klansman C. P. Ellis.
Lets be inspired to look past our differences. Let’s show that peace is possible, and it starts from within.
Their broken hearts brought them together. Their suffering led them to break down superficial barriers like SPECIES. It is a great story for a dog and an orangutan to be friends. It is a legendary story for them to both meet due to both suffering deeply.
Do not mistake true love when you see it. Same sex, different sexes, different species, does not matter. A mating partner is not true love. It’s true attachment. This is something else. Something TRULY human, for lack of a better word!
An orang utan and a dog found each other to be soul mates. They cared, shared & encouraged each other to go on when all seems to be at loss before they met. The dog introduced its fondness of swimming and helped the orang utan to overcome its fear of water by assurance of being physically present to be at the orang utan’s side when they are in the pool. Through the practice of non-betrayal and heaps of constant encouragement with qualities of being reliable indeed built a remarkable bonding between these two interspecies that will blow your mind. The innate qualities of these animals are far better than most human beings whom are supposedly to be more intellectually superior and yet we adopt and cherish animal like behaviour of being cheats, angersome, greedy, lashes our tongue with uncontrolled poisonous speech to instill fear and force respect from others without realising these actions actually hurt and drives others away.
Even animals of cross species acknowledge good qualities in each other to establish trust and love. Why do human beings have to be taught and reminded of, to have good behavioural qualities to gain acceptance and be peaceful with one another?
Very beautiful story! Actually beautiful pictures even without the stories. Just two pure and simple mind come stogether. You won’t even see this in the movies. Wonder what kind of connections they have to be able to come together in such beautiful way. To understand the need for each other in a painful time.
Whenever i see such stories of animal affections with different species, to come together without fear, no discriminations, no questions, i would think they are in the midst of reborn human again. Developing a human mind of a child. With no discriminations, a very simple and pure mind. Just to be happy.
This story is truly inspiring!
Animals are just like human, they have feelings too! Animals know how to care for each other, keep each other company, and share their friendship together.
We as human must learn to respect the animals. We must stop all act of abusive, and in turn give them love and care. Animals also have the rights to freedom of suffering, after looking at this picture, it gives more reasons why we need to treat the animals with love and respect, because they are even better than some human who treats their family and friends badly, abusive and use them for materials gain.
Kechara Animal Sanctuary, a vision that is close to the heart of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, who aims to create a heaven for animals where sufferings are liberated for them. (http://www.kechara.com/animal-sanctuary/about-us/our-vision/).
Everyone who loves animals, please come joint us and support the grteat compassion act of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
PAUL
Aawww… So incredible heartwarming to see and read!
I find this post most interesting and through it, I instantaneously derived three blazingly glaring points/teachings to me:
1. That we should all get along regardless of our skin colour, religious views, gender, etc etc
2. That our preconceived notions of what is the norm is exactly that! Purely a mere notion with no concrete backing.
3. That no matter how impossible or sad things may look, the moment we can give love, we will receive love.
And to think, all this from a few cute pictures of an orangutan and a dog!!! Go figure!
And dear Rinpoche, I love the title “Friendship without Borders”… so apt and love the way it plays on the “Doctors without Borders” and “Architects without Borders” etc organizations! Hehehe
This is the most touching story I have ever heard. It’s really proof that we can become happy through being good companions to people. This brought a tear to my eye. It definitely shows that we can bring people up out of their misery by being there for them and interacting with them. These pictures remind me of my best friend and me. Sometimes, I think if he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t know what to do…
I can’t stop looking at these pictures. They are so cute and silly I can’t stop it! This is a really inspiring post and it makes me value my friends a little more, to be honest!
Is indeed lovely to see different species of life hugging, loving care each others whole heartily together.Our life is always fill with lots of mix emotions, feelings and expressions. To find someone who really understand us is as hard as finding a diamond in a sea. To have a good friend that always listen and talk to us helps us to go through lots of hard times in our life. Somehow life is just so amazing, a dog can be an orangutan good friend and the live together, but yet we as human can’t even get along together as one, although we have the same physical structure of a human. We can really see from the picture how the orangutan clinging to the dog, is like no one is going to separate both of them. Some would think this as a coincident but if we think of it, maybe is not a coincident but both orangutan and the dog probably have a very special connection during their pass life. Is just like what people often said that dog is man best friend.
A friend in need walks seven steps to help us
A real comrade walks twelve to give us aid
A person walking weeks with us is kin
Walking longer they become ourself
- Jataka 83
Buddha stressed that connection between friends should be fostered since it really reveals what we really are. Helping friendship leads to comradeship which leads to kinship which eventually reveals that we are all interconnected. We have much to learn and gain from this blog on friendship. If two species of the animal kingdom can become good friends, why can’t we, intellectuals human beings, put our differences aside?
Both looks So nice together ….Such a Amazing Friendship….
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this lovely picture and story of two furry beings who crossed some invisible but artificial barrier, to become great friends. Watching them, I can understand now why my young cat of nine months keeps bringing back an older cat who’s so diseased and with a rotten foot. Kitty(my cat who was rescued from the drain in front of my house in October last year), doesn’t see the diseased skin of her friend and plays with him all the time.The tomcat belongs to a neighbour who doesn’t care about him beyond feeding him now and again.
It’s mainly humans who put up barriers between themselves and other humans and between themselves and other beings.
An orang utan and a dog can live in harmony with each other. They showed their care and love for each other. How sweet and heartwarming! Yet every day we hear or read from the papers of killings, arguments, rapes, spouse battering, child abuse and everything negative that one could ever imagine.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for posting this article which shows that animals especially these two are more human than human. May we learn from this article to show love and kindness to the people around us and slowly towards everyone.
Awww..they look so sweet!! I’m so happy that the orangutan found the reason for himself to live on. They must have met each other in their previous lives. They have proven that real friendship isn’t about what you can take from others, it’s about what you can give to others. Both of them helped each other along the way, this is pure loyalty and friendship. I respect them.
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.