Zen Dogs Bows for Bones
Pet Pulse Staff Reports 
OKINAWA, Japan – A clever, long-haired Chihuahua that lives with Buddhist monks has found the way to inner-peace -- or pieces of dog treats, that is.
For the last two years, a dog named Conan has lived with Buddhists in an Okinawa temple. In that time, he has begun to mimic the holy men's prayer positions, much to the delight* of visitors.
When a priest begins chanting, Conan sits very still next to the man and stares at a statue of a deity. When the monk brings his hands together – a very basic part of postulation – Conan follows suit by placing his paws together, right in front of his little face.
"He started to pose in prayer like us whenever he wanted treats," said priest Joei Yoshikuni.
While no one's quite sure if he receives enlightenment through his 'prayers,' the Chihuahua does get a fair amount of treats from entertained visitors to the Japanese temple.
"Clasping hands is a basic action of Buddhist prayer to show appreciation. He may be showing his thanks for treats and walks," said Yoshikuni.
In fact, according to the Daily Mail, the number of visitors has increased an estimated 30 percent since his arrival. Young people seem to appreciate the small dog.
"I'm glad that people feel more comfortable visiting the temple because of Conan," Yoshikuni added.
And although none of the monks has reported seeing the little dog on the higher plane, they do appreciate that his presence has helped bring Buddhism into the lives and consciousness of animal lovers.
禅宗狗鞠躬索骨
日本冲绳报导——在日本的一家寺庙里，一只聪明伶俐的长毛吉娃娃狗受到了款待。
两年以来，这只名叫柯南的小狗都住在冲绳的一家寺庙里。开始时，柯南模仿着僧人的祈福姿势，给前来参拜的人们带来了很多欢乐。
当祈福的人们开始吟诵，柯南就一动不动地坐在他们旁边，双眼凝视着神像。当僧人双掌合拢——这是祈福的基本动作——柯南也跟着把两只爪子合拢在自己的小脸蛋前面。
据一个僧人说，每当柯南想找乐子的时候，它就会模仿他们祈福的动作。虽然人们不知道柯南是否从“祈福”中得到启蒙，但它确实通过取悦寺庙的拜众给自己找到乐子了。
另一个僧人说，合拢双手是僧人为表示感激而做出的祈福的动作，所以柯南或许是想对自己的乐子表示感激。
据《每日邮报》报导，自从柯南到了这家寺庙以后，前来参拜的人实际增长了30%，年轻人似乎是来感激这只小狗的。僧人很高兴柯南能为寺庙带来足够的拜众。
虽然僧人们都没有把这只小狗奉作上宾，但他们确实感激柯南，因为它把佛教带入生活中，并使爱护动物的观念得意传播.
