Korean Bow-Wow’s Bows Wow Buddhists

SEOUL (Reuters) – The newest acolyte
at a temple on an outlying South Korea island is a dog who has learned
to sit, stay and perform Buddhist prayer rituals alongside the monks.

Monks at Buljang Temple on Chindo island off the southwest coast said the
stray called "Hama" now joined them at prayer.

Hama — Korean for hippopotamus — follows monks into the temple and bows
in the same manner for prayer, a temple official said. Some local Buddhists,
who believe in reincarnation, are wondering what Hama may have been in
a past life.

Hama is one of a traditional Korean breed called chindo, which originated
on the island.

Hama’s exploits have made the national news in South Korea and attracted
a lot of curious onlookers to the temple, where about 30 other stray dogs
live.

"The dog bows just like a monk," said college student Park Sang-jin,
who visited the temple after hearing about Hama.

Strange story from a country where dog is considered
a delicacy…

from Reuters