The Monks at Damchos Ling Monastery performing a Puja, February, 2003.

"May this be an offering to all living beings

And may all living beings know happiness

And may they never know suffering..."

Traditionally dogs are not allowed in the Gompa (Meditation Room) in a Monastery, as this is kept spotlessly clean and even humans must remove their shoes before entering.  If there is a special ceremony being conducted then people are offered a handful of water to rinse their mouth out before entering.  This is a symbolic gesture of purifying one's speech of the past and the future.  This may destroys a 'traditional western image' of Lhasas lying about on Lamas laps in the Gompa! 

However the little dogs are considered to be very special and it is said that they are monks or nuns who broke their vows in their previous life and are living out one life as a dog.  So it is not unusual when visiting a High Lama in his private rooms to find a couple of these magnificent dogs patrolling round or reclining on the fabulous Tibetan carpets that cover the couches for visitors.  You will often receive the warning not to sit on the dog as it will bite!  Lhasas consider themselves to very human and sitting in a room with a Lama and these dogs as they watch you with scrutinizing eyes, it seems quite reasonable to respect their space and treat them as equals.

Monks and Nuns have fun with the dogs and adore their antics as much as we do - sometimes one will see a group of monks crowding round something.  Peering over the top of the little crowd you see a monk holding an endearing little puppy in his arms with adult and young monks smiling and cooing at "the baby" - a warmth spreads through your body to see the tender love and gentleness with which these dogs are treated.

These dogs with their owners are now in Himalayan countries as unofficial and unrecognized refugees.  The first time I traveled to these "refugee camps" I could not believe my eyes, for here were kindergartens, schools, an orphanage, proper houses with potted plants around the patio on top, the fabulous Library and of course the Dalai Lama's Palace in Dharamsala.  Let me just make an explanation of "palace" in Tibetan terms - the abode or residence of the Dalai Lama is considered a "palace" because the Dalai Lama is considered to be a living Buddha (a fully Liberated being) by Tibetans and many westerners, but not a "god".  Hence, he is like a king among people, having the greatest 'wealth' on earth, enlightenment, although he requires nothing.  So whether the Dalai Lama's place of residence is a small house or a huge house makes no difference:  it is a palace in the sense that is houses "a king".  A Buddha is not considered to be a god!

The Tibetan people themselves are happy and smiling and show no signs of suffering and their Lhasas are strong, confident little dogs with immense courage.  They too had undertaken a trek that seemed impossible to the world, over the massive peaks of the Himalayas, through dreaded snow encased passes, hiding in icy caves by day and traveling through the night... when the Dalai Lama and his group arrived in India, the Indian guards were overcome with amazement as they did not believe the journey was possible.  

Since then thousands of Tibetans have poured across the border of Tibet into various surrounding countries, but still they await the day they will return to their homeland.  And with them are the famous little dogs who "proved" their lion-heart to an amazed world, by trotting relentlessly onwards and upwards through the mountains and then down into India and other countries such as Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal.  Like their owners, Lhasa Apso are a proud dog who seem to hold a set of "principles"!  They will not be 'bought off' by anyone and it is this rare pride and loyalty to their owners that brought about the term "chariness of strangers".   Yet I have been befriended by many Lhasas, particularly in Dharamsala.  They take their time to really know someone and trust them, but once you are accepted by a Lhasa it will never forget you. 

The Tibetans say their dogs cannot be away from them for more than one year or they will die of heartbreak and I have heard of one case of this happening to an Italian man who travelled overseas for fifteen months and when he returned home to Italy both his Lhasas were dead.  These were Lhasas he had been given by the Tibetan people and his sadness in relating his story to me some twelve years later, still brought tears to his eyes as he said he wished he had believed the Tibetans in what they had told him.

Tibetan people, particularly the Lamas and Lhamos (female Teachers) have been eagerly sought out by many westerners who wish to learn from these amazing people who have so much to offer.  This has brought about the building by westerners of Monasteries in their home lands all over the world and with the Lamas is coming the true story of the Lhasa Apso - the myths are being cleared away to make way for reality.  The more we can learn about the Lhasa Apso from the Tibetans themselves, the better - after all, they have successfully bred and reared these dogs (to the old age of 30 years) for centuries.  Perhaps by following the advice of the Tibetans themselves, who live on an organic, natural diet and give their dogs the same, we can look at our feeding and rearing of our own Lhasas and give them back their birth right:  a long healthy, life span with the same owner for life.