Cats who teach me to fly…

It is another unpleasant day. Not a matter of life and death. It’s just another foolish mistake often made by me without the fear of feeling pain. That’s the reason to live life to the fullest. Giving whole heartedly without the fear of feeling pain.

The raising and ceasing of pain… It’s just a process. Nothing to be alarmed. Despite the unpleasant day, breathing meditation was good. Walking and chanting meditation was good as well. Meditation is the best way to lessen our sufferings. By letting go all defilements and single pointed focus on an object. The longer you hold, the better you are. At least I wasn’t completely affected by a bad day.

These cats make me smile everyday. Rescues are the best!

Maybe one day, the foolish mistake that I have often made would no longer be called a foolish mistake…

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I am so happy that finally I have arrived to the decision of how I want to walk the Dharma path. After much examinations, observations, investigation and experiencing the Dharma with the monks, nuns, the animals and the ordinary people, the pali canon text is still of importance to me. It represents the core values of the Buddha’s teachings that no one should ever forsake. It helps me identify the true qualities of a sincere practitioner which includes the monks and nuns. The true qualities for those who aspire to be a Buddha as well as those who want to be happy throughout their lives and also to bring happiness to others. Meditation plays a crucial role in practising the Dharma. It is definitely not an act of selfishness. Its calmness not only helps ourselves to better restrain our bad habits but also bring a cheerful outlook towards others. And everyone should make an effort to read and understand the pali canon text. To put into practise is the best way to understand the text.

Before entering the Mahayana tradition, I would suggest that everyone understand the core teachings from the Theravada tradition so as to better glimpse on what Buddha was trying to teach. In the Jakata tales, Bodhisattva was mentioned many times. Therefore, the practice of the Bodhisattva path does exist. In fact, it is reflected in the pali canon text as there is no difference on the 4 noble truth, 4 establishment of mindfulness, 37 factors of enlightenment etc…

No one should deny the existence of an Arahat today. As for the Bodhisattva path, it should be practised with actions. With lots of actions. The knowledge that we gained from the Buddha’s teachings and applying to our daily activities. And there should be no restrictions on applying the Buddha’s teachings, be it be when we are dealing with humans or non-humans. Buddha nature! I see Buddha nature in every sentient being. They are precious to me. This life they may exist as a non-human. Next life, they can be reborn in heaven as well as in the human realm. Therefore, we must treat everyone equally precious not just only humans that we care for or only want to help them. But to always keep thinking that, next life when this non-human could be reborn as a human and with the karma connection, we will meet again. WIth good affinity, we are able to influence them with the Dharma and eventually lead them to liberate themselves. We cannot view only what happens in this lifetime but many lifetimes to come as long as we do not allow ourselves to fall.

Wisdom and emotion. We cannot always use wisdom to deal with every situation. In today’s society, being emotionally involved allows us to help and understand others better. Using wisdom to guide our emotion is the best way to defend ourselves. Using wisdom to help others may not be effective. Middle path. Finally, I have understood what Buddha meant by middle path but not in a theoretical way. Middle path is not easy to act upon!:)

Lastly, monks, nuns, lay practitioners or ordinary being or even animals, we are of no difference as long as we truly understand what Buddha nature means. No lay practitioners should feel inferior nor those who have renounced should feel superior. Afflictions, defilements and attachments, we all have them. We all make the same mistakes and repeat the same mistakes again and again.

With sincere and diligent practise, faith arise. Faith should not arise only when we believe in a certain Buddha. Consistency in practising should.

Conclusion
The pali canon shall guide me in my values and my actions will follow the Bodhisattva way. As for the destination, the understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and the practice of the Bodhisattva way shall lead me to where I aspire to be .

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We believe Yellow’s underdeveloped left eye was due to malnutrition since the day she was born or maybe she was already like that when she was in her mummy’s womb. She wasn’t well taken care of but yet survive through the harsh environment. She was bearly six-months-old when she was heavily pregnant eight years ago. We couldn’t bring ourselves to abort her kittens. As buddhists, we try to keep our precepts by not causing harm to others and commit killing.

We put her on boarding till she gave birth. Four kittens and one of the them was my beloved Vanilla.

Her eye looks really bad. Dr Heng did the surgery on 23 March. We sent her removed eyeball to the lap for further examination and it was lymphoma.

We are glad that it hadn’t spread to other parts of her body. She is eating well and active.

I am giving her TCM supplement to boost her immune system. I have lost too many cats lately… and I am not ok… So Yellow and the rest, please stay strong and healthy!

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I love them so much that it took me so long to write…

It was either I left him to die at home or I sent him to the clinic. The risk of sending him to the clinic was he might die halfway. I was gambling with his life at that point of time. If he could reach the clinic, he may survive the night and we shall see what we can do for him but if I did not take this risk, he was sure to die.

No, we didn’t make it. He died halfway. I carried him in my arms while I was driving and rushing him to the clinic after midnight. Vanilla’s red blood count was extremely low. I knew he lacked oxygen and no matter how hard I blew oxygen into his mouth, it was not going to help but I needed to try.

Vanilla was a very sweet boy. His nick name was “drink milk milk”. He loved to be cuddled and carried. And I often cuddled him and gave him all the love that he wanted.

Vanilla had been with us for more than 6 years. I remember when we put the family up for adoption, all of them pretended to sleep in the adoption drives all the time. And we didn’t get a chance to find them a home. Who wants to adopt pets who aren’t active!

The problem with rescuers is we always think that we are never doing enough for them. I really wish I could love him longer…

Benjo was diagnosed with diabetes and we had to bring him home. Insulin was given to him twice a day to keep him going for another 4 years. Benjo had been with us for 8 years. We didn’t know his age. He had dementia a few months before he passed on and he was the sweetest boy who never needed me to worry about him. With all his teeth gone and suffering from dementia, we estimated him to be more than 15 years old.

We love him too. We never find him a burden or being troublesome. In fact, he was the easiest boy to take care and I miss feeding him with different kinds of food. Sometimes, I wish I could still feed him. He loves to eat and we never had to worry about his appetite. Through him, I see life is completely meaningless.

We found 慈爱 very ill and we decided to bring her home and see her through. We gave her the food she loves and made her as comfortable as possible. We have been feeding 慈爱 for quite a while as well. Her main feeder refused to bring her home. I can’t bear the sight of her being ill and painful in the street so I decided to walk the last journey with her.

We chanted for them. Hoping to plant a positive seed in their mind.

The virus that had been going around has stopped. After this lesson, I learn to pay attention to each and every one of them and to love and cherish them even more. It was and still bitter but what’s life after all…

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On the eve of 2020, I actually wrote a blog halfway and left it in the draft folder and it is still there. Yes! 13 cats were rehomed! Mel did a good job! I rescue and she rehome. I have always been doing all the work. Right from the very minute I took them in till we find them a home.

These were the guys!

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There is always a time for joy and sadness. However, the sadness often overwhelmed us. Even if I know it is like a tiny drop of dew…, a flickering lamp…, a flash of lightning…. and all conditioned existence to be seen.

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