Ritual of releasing captive animals (Phóng sanh) is a virtuous deed to accumulate merits by setting them free. Today, we bring to you the most standard prayer for releasing captive animals. Let’s explore!
1 What is releasing captive animals? The meaning of the ritual
Releasing captive animals (Phóng sanh) is the act of setting free, liberating, or saving the lives of animals that are being held captive or about to be deprived of their lives. The choice of animals depends on circumstances and one’s intention; it is not compulsory to choose a particular type of animal. During the ritual, it is recommended to recite the prayer for releasing captive animals to focus the mind and chant the Buddha’s name for the animal being set free.
What is releasing captive animals? The meaning of the ritual
2 Ritual of releasing captive animals at home
Ritual of releasing captive animals at home
3 Prayer for releasing captive animals at home
All sentient beings present here
Listen attentively to these words of admonition
In your past lives, you were deeply attached to worldly desires
Thus, in this life, you are drowning in the sea of delusion
In darkness, you do not know how to do good deeds
You have committed countless sins and fallen into the cycle of suffering
Because of your evil heart in past lives
You are now suffering unbearable pain as a consequence
Whether you have fur, scales, or horns
Whether your skin is smooth, rough, or scaly, you are all sentient beings
Because of jealousy, greed, hatred, and delusion
Because you brought harm to others for your own pleasure
Because you have sowed enmity and vengeance
Because you have harmed and taken the lives of other beings
Because you have separated and imprisoned them
Because you have slandered and caused them to suffer cruel punishments
We pray for the compassionate power of the Buddha
And the merciful hearts of all Buddhists
With the support of the Sangha, we establish a connection with the Triple Gem
To liberate all beings from the cycle of suffering
May they be reborn in the heavenly realms
Or immediately awaken in the Pure Land
Or be reborn as humans
Knowing the difference between good and evil, free from delusion…
We take refuge in the Buddha
We take refuge in the Dharma
We take refuge in the Sangha….
Om, hum, hum, hum (3 times)
Prayer for releasing captive animals at home
4 Prayer for Releasing Captive Fish
Homage to the Buddha, the World-Honored One!
Our family, with the name(s) of (state your name(s)), is performing a ritual (state the purpose of the ritual: for the well-being of…, for the seventh-day ceremony of…), and we have just performed a life-saving ritual for the following beings (state their names). Now, I am going to release them. May the Buddhas bestow their blessings so that I can establish a connection with the Dharma for these beings.
Oh, you sentient beings, who have been saved by this virtuous act, may you, from life to life, be born wherever you may be, always practice the Bodhi conduct: “Awaken the Bodhi heart, take refuge in the Triple Gem, propagate the Buddha’s teachings, and spread them throughout the world.”
After releasing the animals, recite:
Homage to the Buddha, the World-Honored One! (3 times)
Prayer for Releasing Captive Fish
5 Prayer for Releasing Captive Birds
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
With sincerity and reverence,
I send forth this cloud of incense
To waft in all ten directions
As an offering to the Triple Gem
I vow to uphold the Dharma for life
Following the inherent nature to do good deeds
Together with all beings in the Dharma realm
May the Buddha bestow his compassion
And may our Bodhi hearts be unwavering
Far from the sea of suffering and delusion
May we swiftly return to the shore of enlightenment
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
With reverence, I bow to the Great Enlightened Ones of the three periods, the heroic teachers who have attained supreme enlightenment. Today, a kind person with the secular name of ………………… has bought the lives of these birds to set them free.
We beseech the Triple Gem, always present in the ten directions, to bestow your compassionate light upon this Dharma field, bearing witness and offering your protection. May these sentient beings deeply believe in the Triple Gem, escape the cycle of suffering, have their life force strengthened, be reborn in a better realm, encounter the true Dharma, and practice it to attain enlightenment and liberation.
We beseech the Triple Gem, always present in the ten directions, to bestow your compassionate light in witness and protection. (3 times)
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering!
Homage to the Bodhisattva Fragrant Offering.
Prayer for Releasing Captive Birds
6 Prayer for Releasing Captive Animals at Home
Homage to the Buddha, the World-Honored One!
I, your disciple, with the name of …, residing at …, sincerely pay respect to the Buddha, the Dharma that saves all suffering beings as taught by the Buddha, and the Sangha who practice moral discipline, follow the Buddha’s teachings, and strive for liberation. As your disciple, I obey the Buddha’s teachings and cultivate a compassionate heart to save the lives of sentient beings.
I have bought the lives of these beings (state their names), saving them from captivity and the fate of being killed. I dedicate this merit to help them eliminate their obstacles and soon escape the realm of animal existence. May they take refuge in the power and virtue of the Triple Gem, be reborn as humans, encounter the Triple Gem, and practice according to the Buddha’s teachings for their own benefit and the benefit of all beings. I establish a Dharma connection with these beings (state their names) and vow to always support each other in diligently practicing the Buddha’s teachings until we attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
I also dedicate this merit to repent for all the sins committed by me and my family since beginningless time, including capturing, binding, and killing sentient beings. May this merit help me and my family eliminate the consequences of capturing and harming others, which were caused by our past evil deeds. May my family be blessed with increased merit, avoid negative influences, refrain from evil deeds, and never be captured, harmed, or killed by others. May my parents and family members enjoy good health and longevity, and may they have the opportunity to cultivate the right Dharma.
May the Buddhas bear witness to my dedication and protect me and these beings (state their names) so that our wishes may be fulfilled.
Homage to the Buddha, the World-Honored One! (3 times)
Prayer for Releasing Captive Animals at Home
7 Prayer for Releasing Captive Snails
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
Then, recite the Verse of Repentance:
We have created countless evil deeds
Driven by the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion
Arising from our body, speech, and mind
We now sincerely repent for all our misdeeds
After reciting this three times, recite the Three Refuges on behalf of the sentient beings:
I take refuge in the Buddha; I will not fall into the lower realms.
I take refuge in the Dharma; I will not fall into the realm of hungry ghosts.
I take refuge in the Sangha; I will not fall into the animal realm.
We have taken refuge in the Buddha.
We have taken refuge in the Dharma.
We have taken refuge in the Sangha.
After that, recite the Amitabha Sutra (if you know it; if not, you may skip it) or recite the name of Amitabha Buddha (Homage to Amitabha Buddha) until all the snails are released.
Dedication
After releasing the snails, join your hands and recite the Heart Sutra (if you know it; if not, you may skip it) and then dedicate the merit as follows:
For the sake of attaining Buddhahood and benefiting all sentient beings, I dedicate this merit to the supreme enlightenment. May I and all sentient beings be reborn in the Pure Land and swiftly attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings.
Infinite beings, I vow to save them
Endless afflictions, I vow to eliminate them
Countless Dharma doors, I vow to learn them
The unsurpassed Buddha path, I vow to realize it
In cases where the captive animals cannot survive for long, release them gently and then sincerely recite the above ritual.
Prayer for Releasing Captive Snails
8 Prayer for Releasing Captive Fish on the 23rd Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
My name is:………………………..
I reside at: …………………………………
Today is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. My family has completed the ritual of sending off the Kitchen God to heaven. Now, I am releasing three fish to ensure a smooth journey for the Kitchen Gods.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)
Prayer for Releasing Captive Fish on the 23rd Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month
9 Prayer for Releasing Captive Animals Outdoors
I respectfully invite the assembly of noble and sacred beings, the assembly of Buddhas, the assembly of Sages, the assembly of Heavenly beings, the assembly of Gods and Guardians, and the Water Gods who are in charge of this place to witness my actions.
My name is ………………….., born in the year …………………., currently residing at …………………..
Today, I have the intention to buy and release ………………. May all these beings ………………. live and die naturally, not by the hands of those who seek pleasure in killing and eating. May they be liberated from suffering, and in their next lives, may they be reborn in higher realms with better spiritual understanding.
I dedicate this merit to all sentient beings in the three realms, wishing them to attain enlightenment and benefit from it.
May the assembly of noble beings bless us with awakening and diligent Dharma practice.
Ancient wisdom: Only 1 Full Moon in January, remember to do these things to create luck, wealth, and prosperity
The Full Moon of the first lunar month is the most significant one in spiritual culture. Make sure to do these things to bring more blessings to your family.
