Inauguration/
meeting with Mr. Shia

On the morning of February 26, 2011, the meeting point was North Point Pier at Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. Two large ships were waiting to go out to sea for a fish release ceremony conducted by Gyalwa Karmapa.

On each one of the ships about thirty beautifully laid tables had been arranged in the central sitting area, each of them seating ten people. By the time the ships set out from the harbour every single place was taken.

When everybody else had gathered, Gyalwa Karmapa boarded one of the ships and was immediately guided into a closed-off VIP area.

However, he reappeared shortly afterwards and sat on the chair which had been prepared for him in the middle of the sitting area. He addressed the gathering of devotees, saying that there was great benefit in performing any kind of life release.

“Nowadays we experience a lot of natural disasters, like earthquakes, fire, tsunamis, floods and so on. In order to prevent that and to achieve peace in our own land and all around the world, the practice of life release really benefits. The first thing is the intention: we want to release these animals so that they have freedom.

Then, during the actual release we also make aspirations, we also make wishes, and we dedicate these wishes both during and also at the completion of the life release. We think of the good karma, the merit we have accumulated and then dedicate that to all sentient beings.

So, for any good action we accomplish these three parts – beginning, middle and end – are very important, not only for today’s fish release but for any kind of accumulation of merit or good karma. Therefore, we must remain focused and concentrated during the whole process.”

Gyalwa Karmapa talks about the benefits of life release practices

In conclusion, Gyalwa Karmapa expressed a wish: “Of course, we have these wonderful conditions of being able to release life, but more than that, if we could make efforts to create sanctuaries for animals – be it birds, fish or any other types of animals – that is as good a releasing, and by doing that we can create more spaces for whoever wishes to release life. So that’s one particular wish I have.”

At the end of his speech there was an opportunity for group photos with Gyalwa Karmapa, and then everybody enjoyed the all-vegetarian lunch which had been set out in a sumptuous buffet. After the meal, the release itself started. For the ceremony, Gyalwa Karmapa and some of his lamas climbed down to two small boats carrying thousands of live fish.

Finally, the writhing fish are released back into the sea

Once on board the boats, they performed a ritual, chanting prayers and blessing saffron water. Then Gyalwa Karmapa blessed the writhing fish with the consecrated saffron water before releasing them into the sea.

Once the ceremony was completed, Gyalwa Karmapa mounted the second passenger ship for the return trip to North Point Pier.