Unexpected Visitors

The rain had just stopped. I stepped out from the kitchen into the cool air and sat down near Head Nun's orchids. The sky was clearing and the morning was perfect for a little meditation. So I settled down and closed my eyes.


Head Nun had advised that for a beginner like myself, I could chant a mantra if I could not concentrate on my breath. I could also chant this mantra whenever I was in danger or felt afraid. I began chanting "Om Mani Padme Hum", "Om Mani Padme Hum", "Om Mani Padme Hum" ...... I must have meditated for about ten minutes when suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. What the heck, can't anyone tell the difference between a dozing cat and a meditating cat? I refused to budge. I felt another tap. I seethed inwardly and opened my eyes. This had better be good.


It was Cousin Li. (Oh no, not again...!). He grinned at me and said, "Surprise!". I was in no mood for surprises and was ready to strangle him if I had not remembered what Head Nun had said. In her free time, she would tell me not only about the Buddha but other great teachers as well. I was particularly interested in one great teacher, presently living in India, who has a large following because of his boundless love and compassion for all. And one of his wellknown maxims is "Start the day with love, Spend the day with love, Fill the day with love, End the day with love, That is the way to God."


So instead of strangling Li, I calmed down and asked what he wanted. Before he could reply, something lunged at me from behind a bush. I was thrown backwards. I found myself caught in a tight embrace and smothered by kisses. Yuk! I managed to struggle free and ran to hide behind a pillar, trembling. Then I heard Li's voice, "Da, it's your mum! I brought her to see you."


My Mum? I hadn't seen her in years. I had no choice but to emerge from my hiding place. "Da, Da, oh my little Da," cried Mum, her eyes wet with tears. I was again smothered with kisses. Really, it was most embarrassing especially for a cat who's trying to practise detachment.


Well, I felt we just couldn't sit there and let people see our tearful reunion, so I invited Mum and Li into the temple. It was the first time they had both been inside a temple and they marvelled at the beautiful statues of the Buddha, the shining mirrors and oil lamps. I realised then that I didn't have anything edible to offer them but Head Nun, who happened to be around, came to the rescue and brought some of my favourite soya bean milk. She even brought three little bowls so that each one of us could drink to our hearts' content without having to share. I thanked her for being an angel and silently prayed that she would be blessed by the Buddha.


As we were sipping our soya near my favourite table, I suddenly heard a strange rumbling noise, then something dropped down squarely on my head with a loud thud. I felt a sharp pain, saw a thousand and one stars and blacked out.


When I came to, I felt sure I was in Nirvana. There were silk cushions under my head, a little blanket over my body and someone, probably an angel, was stroking my head. I was so blissful that I no longer felt the pain in my head. Yeah, this must be Nirvana.


Then Head Nun's face and the faces of a dozen other nuns loomed before my eyes. Good grief, don't tell me someone had bombed the temple and we had all died and gone to Nirvana. Then Head Nun spoke. "Vege Cat, are you alright? We were so worried when that large apple rolled off the table and fell on your head."


Oh. So that was what happened. We all hadn't died. I was a little disappointed. Suddenly I remembered Mum and Li. As though reading my mind, Head Nun said that they had left. Mum had told her to tell me that she could see I was well taken care of at the temple and as long as I was happy here, she didn't want to interfere. I sighed with relief, then everyone started fussing over me again.


I had never felt so much bliss and contentment. I realised then that Nirvana is really not a place way up in the clouds. The temple is Nirvana.