Question: What should be chanted for animals who may be killed in road accidents and such?
‘As you are now deceased, it is time to Niànfó with me sincerely now, so that you can reach Āmítuófó’s Pure Land – where there is no more suffering, where there is only bliss. Please do not be attached to your body and family, as you have to leave them behind. Please Niànfó as sincerely as you can because this is the only way to have the best rebirth before it is too late. This is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Please continue to Niànfó sincerely all the way, until you see Āmítuófó come to guide you to his Pure Land. Please follow only Āmítuófó and no one else. Let us Niànfó sincerely now. Āmítuófó, Āmítuófó, Āmítuófó…’ Before leaving, dedicate merits using this –
回向文
愿以此功德，庄严佛净土，
上报四重恩，下济三途苦。
若有见闻者，悉发菩提心，
尽此一报身，同生极乐国。Verse For Sharing Of Merits
May these meritorious virtues, adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land [so as to be born there], repay the four weighty sources of kindness [which are our parents, the Triple Gem (Buddhas, Dharma, Saṅgha), society (country) and all sentient beings] above, and relieve suffering of the three paths [of hell-beings, hungry ghosts and animals] below. If there are those who see or hear this, may all give rise to the Bodhi Mind [(Bodhicitta) which is the aspiration to attain Buddhahood while guiding all sentient beings to the same goal], and at the end of this one retribution body [that is karmically subject to suffering], be born in the Land Of Ultimate Bliss [which is Āmítuófó’s Pure Land] together.
Q: For how long should we chant before disposal of the body?
A: As it is unclear of how long different animals might habitually be attached to their bodies, it is best to leave them entirely aside if possible. If there is a need to move, the common period of eight hours (for humans) should perhaps apply.
Q: How can we dispose the animal if there is no nearby buried ground?
A: There is no need to bury as this will involve more touching and moving that can disturb the consciousness physically and emotionally if still attached to the body. For details on the importance of minimisation of touching, see the Second Great Essential at https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/the-second-great-essential-%e7%ac%ac%e4%ba%8c%e5%a4%a7%e8%a6%81-pure-land-passport-section-3c
Leaving the body aside, or gently placing the body aside in nature will do if some shifting is really needed. Once encountered deceased, it is good to apply blessed items such as the Sand Of Golden Bright Light too, to offer blessings, as detailed at section 26 of https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/important-guidelines-2-during-dying-pure-land-passport-section-4b This should be done before any chanting.
