World Animal Day
Archive photo: Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit to La Verna Shrine, May 1995
Il 4 October, party of San Francesco d'Assisi e World Animal Day, is a day that invites reflection on the profound bond that unites human life to that of all creatures.
Saint Francis, with his simple yet radical language, left us a spiritual legacy that speaks of universal brotherhood: brother sun, sister moon, brother wolf. His voice resonates like a song of love for every creature, capable of recognizing its dignity and beauty.
Among the texts that best capture the heart of his spiritual experience are the Admonitions. nell 'Warning XVIII Francesco writes:
"Blessed is the man who offers support to his neighbor in his frailty, in those things in which he would like to be supported by him, if he found himself in a similar case.".
[…] For Francis, support can be summed up in one word: mercy.
In fact, with it we give the most precious thing to the weak: 'the heart'.
To become merciful one must enter into the
condition of the poor, to understand their fate from within
and their needs.
As happened to Francis among the lepers:
to be merciful to them he had to make himself
leper. The man must then undergo a process of
substitution: taking on that fragility or, better,
feel it from within. And so he will be “blessed” because while
he gives himself to God, he gives himself totally to the other
recognized and loved as himself (…).
From a commentary by Pietro Maranesi, priest of the Order of Friars
Minor Capuchins, on the Admonitions.
For Francis, support is not just an external gesture, but mercy: the ability to give one's heart, to feel the fragility of others from within to the point of taking it upon oneself.
This insight resonates remarkably with the Buddhist vision. For the Buddha and his disciples, the compassion (karuṇā) it is the deep desire to free all beings from suffering.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, our beloved spiritual guide, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing daily practices of love and care towards animals, inviting us to consider them not as "minor" beings, but as traveling companions, sentient beings who must be respected, protected, and treated with kindness.
Archive photo: Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit to La Verna Shrine, May 1995
The spiritual bond between Lama Zopa and St. Francis was expressed in a touching way during his visit to the Sanctuary of La Verna In May 1995, the place where the Saint received the stigmata. In those places, so rich in memories, Rinpoche recognized a brother in Francis: two men on different paths, but united by the same universal compassion.
Today, as we celebrate St. Francis and World Animal Day, we recognize how diverse spiritual traditions converge in a common teaching: there is no separation between us and other beingsCompassion does not belong to any one faith, but is the common language that all understand, the only path that leads to true freedom.
Embracing fragility, protecting animals, caring for the Earth, recognizing in every creature a face worthy of love: this is the path that unites the Himalayan mountains to the Apennine mountains, Buddhist wisdom to Franciscan spirituality.
On this special day, we can be inspired by their meeting and renew our promise: live with compassion, for all living beings.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche was deeply moved by the beauty and universality of the message in St. Francis's prayer, and decided to write a Buddhist version with some minor additions. We are delighted to share it.
The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
with additions by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (in brackets)
Lord (Buddha), make me the instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is offense, forgiveness.
Where there is discord, harmony.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is error, there is truth.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Where there is darkness, light.
O divine Master,
grant me not to seek too much consolation for myself (happiness for the ego) but to console;
not to seek understanding but to understand;
not to seek love but to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in forgiving that we are forgiven;
It is in dying (having practiced) that we are born to eternal life (from happiness to happiness until complete Enlightenment).
Archive photo: Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit to La Verna Shrine, May 1995