In conjunction with Wesak Day or Buddha's birthday, we performed life release as our Live To Love activity. This is shortly after the life release activity which we did on 2 May, under the guidance of His Eminence Choegon Rinpoche, dedicated to the victims of swine flu.

First of all, thanks to Drukpa Butterworth members who helped to arrange for this activity whereby we could purchase the fish (snapper) from a fish farm in Sg. Udang and get it transported by a fishing boat direct from the the farm to the nearby open sea. We feel that in doing life releasing activity, we need to be very careful in handling the stressful animal to be released and to ensure that the place for release is not ecologically incompatible to them, to ensure their survival. We discussed on this and also seek the advice from the fisherman before deciding on a point for release which should not be too near nor too far from the farm where the habitat may be distinctively different. In addition by releasing at the nearby sea we will avoid the road transportation and also cut short the traveling time for the fish. Apart from that, the fish is stored in a tank beneath the boat filled with fresh sea water, which is certainly a more ideal way than putting them in buckets on the vehicle.

All the members from both centers met at a point in Butterworth and then headed to the fisherman village at Sg. Udang which is about 45 minutes drive from Penang Bridge. Upon reaching the pier, we boarded two fishing boats, one of which contained the fish to be released. The boat ride took about 30 minutes before arriving at a point which is far enough from the farm where they were reared. The nuns from Drukpa Penang then started to bless the fish with the holy water (courtesy from H.E. Choegon Rinpoche) while the others recite the mantra.

As soon as the fish were blessed, we wasted no further time by releasing them into the sea. Each member took turn to participate in the releasing the 200 fish, which would otherwise be delivered to various restaurants. Upon completion of the activity we had some refreshments at the eatery at the pier, enjoying the serenity of the sea and surrounding villages. It was indeed a meaningful activity performed on a special day, dedicated for all sentient beings!