Reciting for a sick pet

[cjdevries]

I have a very sick animal. I'm driving up to my mom's house today and I am interested to hear any advice on reciting sutras for her. Are there any guidelines on what is appropriate? Is it ok to recite on the behalf of an animal, or is it questionable- maybe meddling too much with their karma, etc. I am considering the 88 Buddhas Great Repentance, Heart Sutra, and several other Tibetan practices. Thanks!

[Ayu]

I suppose, you could recite whatever fits to your heart.
Since your pet is a sentient being it is appropriate to wish them well and recite for it. It is good.

Personally, I would concentrate on only one text.

[Loren Enders]

Whoever feels so inclined could dedicate or say a prayer for your pet

[kirtu]

Any or all of these are great. You could also recite Medicine Buddha or White Tara or Avalokiteshvara:

THADYATA OM BEYKANZE BEYKANZE MAHABEYKANZE BEYKANZE RAJA SAMUGATE SOHA
OM TARE TUTARE TURE MAMA AYUR PUNYE GYANA PHUSTIM KURU SOHA
OM MANI PEDME HUNG

[rory]

the Lotus Sutra promises buddhahood to all sentient beings; dragons, gods, garudas human and nonhuman beings, that includes your pet! So chant the Medicine King chapter.
http://nichiren.info/buddhism/lotussutr ... hap23.html
gassho
Rory

[Boomerang]

If you whisper the mani mantra into the ears of a dying animal it will be reborn in Sukhavati.

Om mani peme hung

[Ayu]

Here: http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.ph ... 16#p282208

Also Kalu Rinpoche doesn't regard it as inappropriate to recite for animals.

[Jechan]

Help plant the cause of Buddhahood in your pets mind by chanting the Odaimoku of the Lotus Sutra:
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo!

[ClearblueSky]

It is a positive action: We can recite prayers for humans, any animals, and non-visible beings we may not know about. Heart sutra is good, if your pet is sick or suffering medicine Buddha mantra is considered very good. When the time comes and your pet dies, I would highly recommend om mani paddle hum, as other posters have said.
I had a dog that had to be put down a year or so ago, and my vet was very respectful. I whispered om mani paddle hum in my dog's ear from the moment she sat down until several minutes after she was fully dead, amongst some other practices. I only hope I can get such a mantra-filled death too! Your pet is very lucky to have you.

[ClearblueSky]

I whispered om mani paddle hum

Om mani padme hum, that is. If only spellcheck knew mantras.

[Konchok Namgyal]

Heart sutra and vajrasattva practices, and mani, cant go wrong with these !

absolutely nothing wrong with doing prayers for animals...it should be remembered we are all sentient beings !

[cjdevries]

Thank you all for your wisdom and encouragement! She has recovered well. I did several mandala offerings, and recited the mantra of Great Compassion and Heart Sutra several times. She seemed to really like the prayers.