Cats who teach me to fly…

When I picked Snowy on 6 June, I thought she simply needed to be boosted up, so we started giving her nutritional food, time and lots of love but it didn’t turn out to be the way I thought it would be.

Snowy had a serious skin issue. As an adult cat, she was so much smaller than a 4 month old kitten. She was abandoned on an open ground. As experienced by many rescuers, time spent with her was so short.

Besides Mel and I, Snowy had many who love her. Five volunteered to sponsor her cremation and medical fees. Snowy was blessed. She was the first cat who received sponsorship and lots of blessings. We are thankful for their kindness.

Despite the fact that many cats have passed on under my care, I’m still not used to facing the cycle of death. Still feeling heavy and sad each and every time. But another part of me remains as strong as ever, that is to continue helping them if my future lives karma allow. With all the karma connections with them, how can I walk away and leave them behind.

All spiritual masters taught that the most useful way to help others is to help them liberate from Samsara, I wouldn’t deny that. However, when I’m living in starvation, I really hope someone could give me a mouthful of food. And I want to continue doing that till the time is ready for me to help liberate them. So snowy and all the animals who have crossed my path, you are never forgotten.

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I was home 2 days ago. Flight was delayed for 90mins. Since there was nothing to check in or check out, I hurriedly left the airport and took a cab home. Toofy was the first cat who greeted me.

So nice to be home even though it looks a little messy. Thanks Melanie for taking good care of the cats. I cleaned the place a little before going to bed and got up early the next day. 10 days of waking up early at Jhana Grove and am still carrying on with this practice…

I was supposed to stay another day for the kathina ceremony but preferred to leave early instead to visit Fo Guang Shan.

Flags were put up for celebration. There were many Thai people and according to one of the retreatant, he told me it looks like a mini Thailand. I left at 8am. And goodbye to Jhana Grove!

Jos and I left our luggage in the locker at the Perth airport before heading to Fo Guang Shan.

This is the prayer hall at Fo Guang Shan, Perth.

The hall is surrounded by statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I was so happy simply just to imagine how Pureland would look like. I’ll be surrounded by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Pureland and how joyful it will be!

We were very lucky to be guided by one of the volunteers to tour around Fo Guang Shan. I got souvenirs for feeders who helped with the community cats.

After Fo Guang Shan, we headed to Perth City by train. So, the vegan activists who wear white masks propagating veganism that I saw in facebook are people from Perth. It was an honour to meet them. I am so proud of them!

My journey stopped at Perth City. No regrets not witnessing the kathina celebration because I knew it was going to be crowded and noisy and true indeed, it was. A last day well spent. Looking forward for another retreat? Probably….

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It was a tiring day today. The sutta talk started at 4pm and ended slightly over 5pm. 2 bhikkhunis were invited to share their experience with us shortly after the talk. The bhikkhunis were Venerable Canda and Ayya Seri. Both talk about their journey being a Bhikkhuni and the Bhikkhunis are not well supported by others. Both are still struggling. Venerable Canda’s condition is much better today as Ajahn Brahm is supporting her project. Ayya Seri is not that lucky. After learning about them, I think we should give more support to the Bhikkhunis as well. The sharing ended 15mins before meditation session which starts at 7pm and at 8pm Q&A session.

I went to my bedroom feeling tired as well as happy because tomorrow will be the last day of the retreat.

Stupa at Jhana Grove.

The sky is always beautiful and I sure love the birds here.

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Today sutta is Bahiya’s teachings. Ajahn Brahm explaination on the sutta was very clear. He explained the past life of Bahiya that led him to be enlightened in his very lifetime. Bahiya didn’t practise or meditate, he simply listened a few words from the Buddha and he was enlightened. The cause of his enlightenment was his hard work in his previous life.

Ajahn Brahm also explained what nimitta is. It’s actually a light where the dead see. The light that we often hear from people who experienced near death experiences. That’s the light that attracts the dead to come. Interesting!

Since the end of retreat is nearing, I decided to look at the sunset nearby. Perhaps I’ll never visit Jhana Grove again.

It’s definitely beautiful! Well… delusion actually! I was surprised that it wasn’t that cold in the evening.

During Q&A session, someone asked a question on why people see the images of the Buddha, Guanyin or Jesus etc… Ajahn Brahm replied it was actually they themselves that they are seeing and it is not a real Buddha or anyone that they are seeing. I must agree with him, however, those who are practising the Pureland teachings must be confident to know which is a delusive image and which is not.

Tonight, I’m closer to the Buddha Land…

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