Funeral rites for man's best friend

Richmond WIJESEKERA, Bentota Group Correspondent

BENTOTA: A six-year-old German Shepherd named Bingo, belonging to a doctor in Labuduwa attached to the Mahamodera Hospital, Galle was buried according to Buddhist rites on Poson Poya day.

The doctor, his wife and son were in tears when the Buddhist clergy performed the final rites which included Pansakula and Mathakawastra pooja.

Three Buddhist monks from the area were invited to the doctor's house to perform the rites.

Ven. Opatha Saddhananda Thera in his sermon said at a time when even the death of a human being was taken for granted, it was a meritorious deed to accord a funeral for a dog, considered man's best friend.

A seventh day alms giving was also organised to bless the dog.