Daily Prayer

With Metta,

DA

The Buddha Said ....

"When a man speaks or acts with good intention, then happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves him."

(From the book "The Golden Words of the Buddha") 

Cat Wisdom

 

Ning's Ghost Story

Story told by Ning

It's the "Hungry Ghost Month" again.  Da usually gets very nervous during this time and tells me to be careful and not stay out too late at night lest I bump into some spooks.  Well, I'm not too concerned about this, not all spooks are evil, some are lonely old souls who miss their family, some died tragically in an accident or mishap.  They just want some friendly companionship and someone to listen to their woes.  I also believe they're there all the time, not only during this "Hungry Ghost" month.

Last night after leaving the Club at midnight, I decided to take a short cut to my hideout.  I hadn't used it for some time and it meant going through a path with trees and bushes but it would take me home faster.

I was trudging along in the semi-darkness when suddenly I felt a cold wind blow towards me.  Then I saw them - a young couple both dressed in white.  I knew at once that they were ghosts.  I wasn't the least bit scared, so I casually asked. "Hi, what are you two ghosts doing here?"

The young man (whom I shall call Ghost 1) looked surprised and asked, "Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

I laughed.  "Why should I be?  If you're going to suck my blood, you would have done so without wasting time talking."

Ghost 2 smiled and said, "We're not vampires.  You need not worry."

"Okay then," I said.  "Tell me what happened to you two!"

Well, they both had sad tales to tell and when they finished, I gathered that they had  died very young, in the same hospital, on the same day, at the same time one month ago .  He had cancer and she had leukemia and neither of them knew of this strange coincidence until now. 

"We only bumped into each other just now," said Ghost 2.  Then to my dismay, she burst into a flood of tears, saying how she missed her mum and siblings.

I had often heard Da speak of loving kindness and compassion and this lady ghost's tears were enough to melt any heart of stone.  I decided I had to help her in some way.

Meantime Ghost 1 had put an arm around her to comfort her and as their eyes met, I could see sparks fly!

So I said to Ghost 1, "Look, your friend needs someone to look after her, she's lonely and miserable and you're the perfect man ... I mean ghost .... for the job.  Why don't you help her, you'll be blessed with a good rebirth for your good deed!" (That was something Da also talked about - a good rebirth and it came in handy!)

Ghost 1 looked at Ghost 2 and whispered, "I'd be honored to take care of you .... may I?" I was very relieved when she smiled and nodded her consent.  

With that settled, I went home feeling very pleased with myself.  Never at any point in my life had I imagined I would play "matchmaker" to two ghosts!  Before they left, I asked for their names  (they were Wan  Don Yu and Luo An Jie (or Don and Anjie for short).  I carefully noted them down on a piece of paper before I went to sleep.

A couple of days later, I went to see Da and told him of my encounter with the two young ghosts.  He was stunned and found my story quite unbelievable! I then told him that I had  gone to the hospital to check their records and every detail was correct, just as they had told me - date of death, time, etc. and their file photos of course matched the apparitions I saw.

To me, their meeting in the afterlife was like pre-destined because in their earthly sojourn, their illness prevented them from leading a normal life.

I didn't see Don and Anjie again after that first meeting even though I took the shortcut to my hideout several times hoping to meet them.  

As Da would say, I wish them peace, happiness and eternal rest.

"Aren't you afraid of us, little cat?"

Cat Wisdom

Attachment

 

SADHU!  SADHU!  SADHU!

The Spooks are Here Again!

It's that dreaded time of year again - the 7th lunar month or the "Hungry Ghost Month"!  Most of you out there know how nervous I get during this time!  The entire Ghost Month runs for a month (from August 13) when the gates of the underworld open to let out wandering spirits!  So usually I sleep early with my blanket thrown over my head and shades over my eyes, so that I see nothing, hear nothing.

However, about two evenings after the Ghost Month began, I had a strange, if not unnerving experience.  I had gone to bed early and so had the nuns but I couldn't sleep.  So after tossing about, I decided to sit at the window of the kitchen to look at what's going on out there.

It was quite dark and all I could see were  shadowy bushes and plants in Head Nun's garden.  A few cars sped by, their headlights sometimes shining at the temple.  Then suddenly I heard someone call me.   I was about to turn and see who it was when I remembered what the humans said about hearing things at night during this spooky month, which is if you hear someone call your name or tap your shoulder from behind, you should avoid turning round to look because who knows who or what you're going to see!

So I froze on the window sill, my hair standing on end.  After a while, I thought it was safe to get down and go back to my basket but then again, I heard my name being called .... "Vege Cat"...... and the voice seemed to be getting nearer!

I panicked.  I jumped from the window sill and dived into my basket, threw my blanket over my head and froze.  After a while, nothing happened and finally I found courage to jump out of my basket.  I ran to APK's room and knocked on her door.

A very sleepy APK opened it and asked, "Vege Cat!  What do you want?  Why aren't you asleep yet?"

I told her in a shaky voice what had happened.  She smiled, gathered me up in her arms and said, "Aya, you silly cat.  Your fear has made you imagine all sorts of things.  For your information, I heard someone call my name too last night....."

"You did?" I gasped.  "Then what ... what happened?  Who or what was it?  Did you take a look?"

"Do you really want to know?" she asked, her face serious.

"Y-yes," I replied, goose pimples running up and down my spine.

"If I tell you, you're sure you won't be scared?" 

I gulped.  "I'm....I'm sure," I whispered.

She rolled her eyes, shuddered, then took a deep breath (at this point, I gripped her tight, my heart pounding) and in a quivering voice, she said, "I saw ...... HEAD NUN!"  

Then she broke into peals of laughter and seeing the expression on my face, said she was telling the truth - Head Nun did come to check whether she needed an extra blanket.  

If that was meant to be funny, I didn't think it was.  I heard what I heard but she didn't believe me. 

I shall have to ask Head Nun to buy me a pair of ear plugs when she next goes to town.

Goodnight, everyone and sleep tight ....if you can.

The Heaviest Burden

The Buddha taught that anger is a destructive, self-inflicted mental state.  It's like grabbing hot coal to throw at someone, but you are the one who gets burnt first.  Anger hurts your peace, equanimity, health, among other things.

So next time someone makes you angry, go drink a glass of cold water.  Take a walk and get away from the scene of anger.  Choose not to accept the abuse, leave it with the person who brought it, treat it like an unclaimed gift.

Walk gently, speak kindly.

Namo Buddhaya.

With Metta,

DA

Cat Wisdom

 

Happy International Cat Day

Happy International Cat Day to all my feline friends, especially Ning and Mi Mi!  May you all be blessed by the Lord Buddha and be well, happy and peaceful always! 

The photo above, taken by Head Nun, is a candid shot of APK and another nun in the temple kitchen.  The nun holding me helps Head Nun with the cooking and is a kind, old soul.  APK also did a colorful poster for ICD, a result of her flair for art!

I am grateful to the humans who have created ICD which falls on 8 August each year to raise awareness for cats and look into ways to help and protect us. God bless you all!

This is also an appropriate occasion to express my grateful thanks to Head Nun and her nuns for their love and kindness and for sharing the Buddha's wisdom with me.

Lots of love to everyone! 💘 

DA