Buddhist dog prays for worldly desires

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Buddhist dog prays for worldly desires

 

Mon Mar 24, 12:16 PM ET

 

NAHA, Japan (AFP) - Buddhists clasp their palms

together to pray for enlightenment, but Conan, a

chihuahua, appears to have more worldly motivations.

 

The dog has become a popular attraction at a Japanese

temple after learning to imitate the worshippers

around him.

 

" Conan started to pose in prayer like us whenever he

wanted treats, " said Joei Yoshikuni, a priest at

Jigenin temple on the southern island of Okinawa.

 

" Clasping hands is a basic action of Buddhist prayer

to show appreciation. He may be showing his thanks for

treats and walks, " he said.

 

Conan, a two-year-old male with long, black hair and a

brown collar, sits next to Yoshikuni in front of the

altar and looks right up at the statue of a Buddhist

deity.

 

When the priest starts chanting and raises his clasped

hands, Conan also raises his paws and joins them at

the tip of his nose.

 

Visitors to the temple look on with curiosity.

 

" It's so funny that he does it, " said Kazuko Oshiro,

71, who has frequented the temple for more than 25

years.

 

" He gets angry when somebody else sits on his

favourite spot. He must be thinking that it's his

special place, " Oshiro said.

 

Conan, originally a temple pet, has become so popular

that people come in to take pictures almost every

week, the priest said.

 

Yoshikuni estimated that the temple receives 30

percent more visitors, especially young tourists, than

it would otherwise.

 

" I'm glad that people feel more comfortable visiting

the temple because of Conan, " he said as he jokingly

joined his hands and bowed to the dog.