The same world, different views.
In this ancient temple surrounded by incense and the gentle sound of Sanskrit, I, a stray cat that had wandered without support, found a piece of heaven that belonged to me. My name, perhaps, is not important, but on this side of the pure land, I have a new identity - a part of the temple, a soul to be treated gently.
First Encounter - Origin
I remember it was a cold and windy winter night, I dragged my tired body, wandering on the edge of the city, hunger and cold intertwined into an invisible net, tightly bound me. Just when I was about to give up hope, a faint sandalwood scent drifted in the wind, leading me through the hustle and bustle of the city to this ancient and serene temple. The door gently opened, a kind old monk found me, he used the pair of hands covered with signs of age, gently stroked my head, at that moment, it was as if I felt a long-lost warmth and peace.
Settle down - quiet and peaceful
From then on, the temple became my new home. Here, there was no hustle and bustle of traffic, only the melodious sound of morning bells and evening drums; there was no threat of hunger and cold, only food and water delivered regularly every day. The old monk and the other monks in the monastery, with their kindness and compassion, built a sheltered nest for me. I became accustomed to waking up under the first rays of the morning sun, lying lazily on the temple's green stone slabs and enjoying this rare peace and tranquillity.
Cultivation - Enlightenment
During my time at the temple, I learnt to observe and listen. Whenever the monks were chanting sutras for blessings, I would always sit quietly by the side. Although I didn't understand the profound sutras, I was deeply touched by the devotion and tranquility of the monks. I began to try to imitate them, to ‘practice’ in my own way - in the sunlight to rest my eyes and feel the natural breathing; in the night to look up at the sky full of stars and think about the meaning of life. Perhaps this is my path to enlightenment as a cat.
Companionship - Love
Over time, I developed a deep bond with everyone at the temple. The young monks would laugh softly as I played, and visitors would stop by and interact with me with gentle glances and words. Especially the old monk who initially found me, he would always come to me for a chat when he was busy. Though the language was not the same, the tacit understanding and care made me feel the warmth of home. Here, I am no longer a lonely wanderer, but an accepted and loved member.
Homecoming - Peace of Mind
Now, I have spent countless days and nights in this temple, growing from a skinny stray cat to a healthy, happy cat. This place has not only given me a shelter from the wind and rain, but also a home for my soul. I know that no matter how the outside world changes, this will always be the place where I can stay at ease.
In this environment full of Zen and harmony, I learnt to be grateful and to cherish. Perhaps, for a cat, it is impossible to express all the feelings in words, but my heart has long been tightly connected with this temple and the people here. Here, I have found my own happiness and peace, and also understand that the real home is not how far you have travelled, but whether your heart has found a place to rest.
