3.24.2008

Zen Buddhist Dog


We humans are so inventive. So why is it that truth is so much more damned unpredictiable than fiction? You can not make this shit up:
Zen Buddhist temple has enjoyed a surprising surge in visitors over the past few weeks – but not all are going in search of spiritual enlightenment.

Instead, they are flocking to see the amazing praying chihuahua.

Mimicking his priest master Joei Yoshikuni, Conan the dog joins in the daily prayers sitting up on his hind legs and putting his front paws together before the altar.

It took him only a few days to learn the motions, and now he is the talk of the town – and has been credited with a 30 per cent rise in attendance.

'Word has spread, and we are getting a lot more tourists,' Mr Yoshikuni said yesterday. Conan generally goes through his twice daily prayer routine at the Shuri Kannondo temple, in Naha, southern Japan, without prompting, the priest added.

'I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it too,' Mr Yoshikuni said. He is now trying to teach the 18-month-old pedigree how to meditate. Well, sort of.

'Basically, I am just trying to get him to sit still while I meditate,' he explained. 'It's not like we can make him cross his legs.'

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