T’hondup Ling has been releasing live bait for as long as we have been a Los Angeles center. Our first major release took place in 1993 when the contents of a huge fishing boat were ransomed in Marina Del Rey. The ceremony, led by Chagdud Rinpoche on behalf of the T’hondup Ling sangha, was attended by Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyatso, many other Chagdud Gonpa lamas, and sangha members. In the 1990s, we conducted releases about twice a year, often when Rinpoche visited. In the past three years, however, Lama Gyatso has increased the number of releases to about two per month, or sometimes more, particularly on auspicious occasions or in times of tragedy, such as the recent tsunamis.
Our release schedule is seldom posted on our website, as we work very hard not to alert the fishermen and bait stands of our intended releases. If they know there is going to be a release, they will overfish and hence no true benefit will accrue: if you are ransoming fish that may never have been caught in the first place while the bait you actually wish to save sits waiting to be picked up by sporting fishermen, you have defeated the purpose of a release.
Many people wish to contribute financially to our releases, and often call us to find out the cost of ransoming a given number of fish. We cannot give a definite answer, since certain variables come into play: the season, the size and type of fish, supply and demand, the fisherman’s temperament, and the amount of money available to spend. In addition to financial contributions, participation in a release creates great merit. Driving lamas, offering lunch, delivering bottled water, or helping out on the dock are ways of helping with the ceremony, which can last as long as six or seven hours.
Over the years, millions and millions of lives have been saved. More than that, many a mind has turned to the dharma. During online chat room discussions with about thirty fishermen on the topic “Just what the heck were those Buddhist monks doing in King’s Harbor letting the fish go?” the fishermen demonstrated a genuine interest in the philosophy behind live release. Occasionally, some bait sellers have offered to match our purchase for the day, and they have even offered to close their bait stand early.
If you wish to be notified of our live releases, please add your name to T’hondup Ling’s email distribution; you can email us at <thondup_ling@juno.com> or call us at 323– 953–0755. If you wish to make a pledge toward a live release, no amount is too small. We can’t guarantee which day your offering will be used (unless you schedule a private ceremony), as we are at the mercy of the docks. You may send your donation either to us or to Rigdzin Ling. Beginning sometime in March, we will post the number of fish released on our website www. thondupling.org, so that you can check the status of your contribution.
If you wish to conduct your own live release, here are a few helpful hints from the deck hands at T’hondup Ling. Never call a fisherman or dock to schedule a live release. We assure you that they will fish in advance. A call an hour or so ahead of time just to see if the bait stand is open will generally do the trick. If you need further information, don’t tell the bait keeper you are Buddhist. These people are on to us! It’s better just to show up. Releasing one scoop of imprisoned fish is better then releasing two tanks of fish captured on your behalf. If you are scooping with a net, be very gentle and go slowly. Dip the fish into the water and let them swim out; if handled hastily, they will lose many scales. Also beware of predators; most docks have a hose nearby so that you can spray pelicans and gulls with water to keep them from feasting on your fleeing fish.
T’hondup Ling has been releasing live bait for as long as we have been a Los Angeles center. Our first major release took place in 1993 when the contents of a huge fishing boat were ransomed in Marina Del Rey. The ceremony, led by Chagdud Rinpoche on behalf of the T’hondup Ling sangha, was attended by Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyatso, many other Chagdud Gonpa lamas, and sangha members. In the 1990s, we conducted releases about twice a year, often when Rinpoche visited. In the past three years, however, Lama Gyatso has increased the number of releases to about two per month, or sometimes more, particularly on auspicious occasions or in times of tragedy, such as the recent tsunamis.
Our release schedule is seldom posted on our website, as we work very hard not to alert the fishermen and bait stands of our intended releases. If they know there is going to be a release, they will overfish and hence no true benefit will accrue: if you are ransoming fish that may never have been caught in the first place while the bait you actually wish to save sits waiting to be picked up by sporting fishermen, you have defeated the purpose of a release.
Many people wish to contribute financially to our releases, and often call us to find out the cost of ransoming a given number of fish. We cannot give a definite answer, since certain variables come into play: the season, the size and type of fish, supply and demand, the fisherman’s temperament, and the amount of money available to spend. In addition to financial contributions, participation in a release creates great merit. Driving lamas, offering lunch, delivering bottled water, or helping out on the dock are ways of helping with the ceremony, which can last as long as six or seven hours.
Over the years, millions and millions of lives have been saved. More than that, many a mind has turned to the dharma. During online chat room discussions with about thirty fishermen on the topic “Just what the heck were those Buddhist monks doing in King’s Harbor letting the fish go?” the fishermen demonstrated a genuine interest in the philosophy behind live release. Occasionally, some bait sellers have offered to match our purchase for the day, and they have even offered to close their bait stand early.
If you wish to be notified of our live releases, please add your name to T’hondup Ling’s email distribution; you can email us at <thondup_ling@juno.com> or call us at 323– 953–0755. If you wish to make a pledge toward a live release, no amount is too small. We can’t guarantee which day your offering will be used (unless you schedule a private ceremony), as we are at the mercy of the docks. You may send your donation either to us or to Rigdzin Ling. Beginning sometime in March, we will post the number of fish released on our website www. thondupling.org, so that you can check the status of your contribution.
If you wish to conduct your own live release, here are a few helpful hints from the deck hands at T’hondup Ling. Never call a fisherman or dock to schedule a live release. We assure you that they will fish in advance. A call an hour or so ahead of time just to see if the bait stand is open will generally do the trick. If you need further information, don’t tell the bait keeper you are Buddhist. These people are on to us! It’s better just to show up. Releasing one scoop of imprisoned fish is better then releasing two tanks of fish captured on your behalf. If you are scooping with a net, be very gentle and go slowly. Dip the fish into the water and let them swim out; if handled hastily, they will lose many scales. Also beware of predators; most docks have a hose nearby so that you can spray pelicans and gulls with water to keep them from feasting on your fleeing fish.
T’hondup Ling has been releasing live bait for as long as we have been a Los Angeles center. Our first major release took place in 1993 when the contents of a huge fishing boat were ransomed in Marina Del Rey. The ceremony, led by Chagdud Rinpoche on behalf of the T’hondup Ling sangha, was attended by Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyatso, many other Chagdud Gonpa lamas, and sangha members. In the 1990s, we conducted releases about twice a year, often when Rinpoche visited. In the past three years, however, Lama Gyatso has increased the number of releases to about two per month, or sometimes more, particularly on auspicious occasions or in times of tragedy, such as the recent tsunamis.
Our release schedule is seldom posted on our website, as we work very hard not to alert the fishermen and bait stands of our intended releases. If they know there is going to be a release, they will overfish and hence no true benefit will accrue: if you are ransoming fish that may never have been caught in the first place while the bait you actually wish to save sits waiting to be picked up by sporting fishermen, you have defeated the purpose of a release.
Many people wish to contribute financially to our releases, and often call us to find out the cost of ransoming a given number of fish. We cannot give a definite answer, since certain variables come into play: the season, the size and type of fish, supply and demand, the fisherman’s temperament, and the amount of money available to spend. In addition to financial contributions, participation in a release creates great merit. Driving lamas, offering lunch, delivering bottled water, or helping out on the dock are ways of helping with the ceremony, which can last as long as six or seven hours.
Over the years, millions and millions of lives have been saved. More than that, many a mind has turned to the dharma. During online chat room discussions with about thirty fishermen on the topic “Just what the heck were those Buddhist monks doing in King’s Harbor letting the fish go?” the fishermen demonstrated a genuine interest in the philosophy behind live release. Occasionally, some bait sellers have offered to match our purchase for the day, and they have even offered to close their bait stand early.
If you wish to be notified of our live releases, please add your name to T’hondup Ling’s email distribution; you can email us at <thondup_ling@juno.com> or call us at 323– 953–0755. If you wish to make a pledge toward a live release, no amount is too small. We can’t guarantee which day your offering will be used (unless you schedule a private ceremony), as we are at the mercy of the docks. You may send your donation either to us or to Rigdzin Ling. Beginning sometime in March, we will post the number of fish released on our website www. thondupling.org, so that you can check the status of your contribution.
If you wish to conduct your own live release, here are a few helpful hints from the deck hands at T’hondup Ling. Never call a fisherman or dock to schedule a live release. We assure you that they will fish in advance. A call an hour or so ahead of time just to see if the bait stand is open will generally do the trick. If you need further information, don’t tell the bait keeper you are Buddhist. These people are on to us! It’s better just to show up. Releasing one scoop of imprisoned fish is better then releasing two tanks of fish captured on your behalf. If you are scooping with a net, be very gentle and go slowly. Dip the fish into the water and let them swim out; if handled hastily, they will lose many scales. Also beware of predators; most docks have a hose nearby so that you can spray pelicans and gulls with water to keep them from feasting on your fleeing fish.
T’hondup Ling has been releasing live bait for as long as we have been a Los Angeles center. Our first major release took place in 1993 when the contents of a huge fishing boat were ransomed in Marina Del Rey. The ceremony, led by Chagdud Rinpoche on behalf of the T’hondup Ling sangha, was attended by Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyatso, many other Chagdud Gonpa lamas, and sangha members. In the 1990s, we conducted releases about twice a year, often when Rinpoche visited. In the past three years, however, Lama Gyatso has increased the number of releases to about two per month, or sometimes more, particularly on auspicious occasions or in times of tragedy, such as the recent tsunamis.
Our release schedule is seldom posted on our website, as we work very hard not to alert the fishermen and bait stands of our intended releases. If they know there is going to be a release, they will overfish and hence no true benefit will accrue: if you are ransoming fish that may never have been caught in the first place while the bait you actually wish to save sits waiting to be picked up by sporting fishermen, you have defeated the purpose of a release.
Many people wish to contribute financially to our releases, and often call us to find out the cost of ransoming a given number of fish. We cannot give a definite answer, since certain variables come into play: the season, the size and type of fish, supply and demand, the fisherman’s temperament, and the amount of money available to spend. In addition to financial contributions, participation in a release creates great merit. Driving lamas, offering lunch, delivering bottled water, or helping out on the dock are ways of helping with the ceremony, which can last as long as six or seven hours.
Over the years, millions and millions of lives have been saved. More than that, many a mind has turned to the dharma. During online chat room discussions with about thirty fishermen on the topic “Just what the heck were those Buddhist monks doing in King’s Harbor letting the fish go?” the fishermen demonstrated a genuine interest in the philosophy behind live release. Occasionally, some bait sellers have offered to match our purchase for the day, and they have even offered to close their bait stand early.
If you wish to be notified of our live releases, please add your name to T’hondup Ling’s email distribution; you can email us at <thondup_ling@juno.com> or call us at 323– 953–0755. If you wish to make a pledge toward a live release, no amount is too small. We can’t guarantee which day your offering will be used (unless you schedule a private ceremony), as we are at the mercy of the docks. You may send your donation either to us or to Rigdzin Ling. Beginning sometime in March, we will post the number of fish released on our website www. thondupling.org, so that you can check the status of your contribution.
If you wish to conduct your own live release, here are a few helpful hints from the deck hands at T’hondup Ling. Never call a fisherman or dock to schedule a live release. We assure you that they will fish in advance. A call an hour or so ahead of time just to see if the bait stand is open will generally do the trick. If you need further information, don’t tell the bait keeper you are Buddhist. These people are on to us! It’s better just to show up. Releasing one scoop of imprisoned fish is better then releasing two tanks of fish captured on your behalf. If you are scooping with a net, be very gentle and go slowly. Dip the fish into the water and let them swim out; if handled hastily, they will lose many scales. Also beware of predators; most docks have a hose nearby so that you can spray pelicans and gulls with water to keep them from feasting on your fleeing fish.
T’hondup Ling has been releasing live bait for as long as we have been a Los Angeles center. Our first major release took place in 1993 when the contents of a huge fishing boat were ransomed in Marina Del Rey. The ceremony, led by Chagdud Rinpoche on behalf of the T’hondup Ling sangha, was attended by Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyatso, many other Chagdud Gonpa lamas, and sangha members. In the 1990s, we conducted releases about twice a year, often when Rinpoche visited. In the past three years, however, Lama Gyatso has increased the number of releases to about two per month, or sometimes more, particularly on auspicious occasions or in times of tragedy, such as the recent tsunamis.
Our release schedule is seldom posted on our website, as we work very hard not to alert the fishermen and bait stands of our intended releases. If they know there is going to be a release, they will overfish and hence no true benefit will accrue: if you are ransoming fish that may never have been caught in the first place while the bait you actually wish to save sits waiting to be picked up by sporting fishermen, you have defeated the purpose of a release.
Many people wish to contribute financially to our releases, and often call us to find out the cost of ransoming a given number of fish. We cannot give a definite answer, since certain variables come into play: the season, the size and type of fish, supply and demand, the fisherman’s temperament, and the amount of money available to spend. In addition to financial contributions, participation in a release creates great merit. Driving lamas, offering lunch, delivering bottled water, or helping out on the dock are ways of helping with the ceremony, which can last as long as six or seven hours.
Over the years, millions and millions of lives have been saved. More than that, many a mind has turned to the dharma. During online chat room discussions with about thirty fishermen on the topic “Just what the heck were those Buddhist monks doing in King’s Harbor letting the fish go?” the fishermen demonstrated a genuine interest in the philosophy behind live release. Occasionally, some bait sellers have offered to match our purchase for the day, and they have even offered to close their bait stand early.
If you wish to be notified of our live releases, please add your name to T’hondup Ling’s email distribution; you can email us at <thondup_ling@juno.com> or call us at 323– 953–0755. If you wish to make a pledge toward a live release, no amount is too small. We can’t guarantee which day your offering will be used (unless you schedule a private ceremony), as we are at the mercy of the docks. You may send your donation either to us or to Rigdzin Ling. Beginning sometime in March, we will post the number of fish released on our website www. thondupling.org, so that you can check the status of your contribution.
If you wish to conduct your own live release, here are a few helpful hints from the deck hands at T’hondup Ling. Never call a fisherman or dock to schedule a live release. We assure you that they will fish in advance. A call an hour or so ahead of time just to see if the bait stand is open will generally do the trick. If you need further information, don’t tell the bait keeper you are Buddhist. These people are on to us! It’s better just to show up. Releasing one scoop of imprisoned fish is better then releasing two tanks of fish captured on your behalf. If you are scooping with a net, be very gentle and go slowly. Dip the fish into the water and let them swim out; if handled hastily, they will lose many scales. Also beware of predators; most docks have a hose nearby so that you can spray pelicans and gulls with water to keep them from feasting on your fleeing fish.
