Lesson in Compassion

 

24 Aug 2008 Lesson in Compassion

Here we see Bhante Ariyadhamma carrying a cat. As you can see there are rain drops on the deck. It looked like it was going to rain hard! The cat, a stray cat had made the Vihara its home for a long time.

It was a day of mindfullness! A day to be quiet and to reflect. A day for Samatha/Vipassana Meditation. Forty five minutes of sitting and 15 minutes of walking .. from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

After every forty five minutes, a buzzer used to go out to remind one it is time for walking meditation .. and start 15 minutes of walking meditaion. At the end of 15 minutes, a bell was stricken to remind everyone that it is time to sit quietly and contemplate/meditate for the next 45 minutes.

It was a hot and muggy day in Austin. It looked like it was going to rain. Rain hard! There were drops of rain on the deck. It was also the time to strike a bell reminding everyone that it was time to return. I was there to take a picture of the bell-striker (Ven. Ariyadhamma).

Bhante walked in and was about to strike the bell. Suddenly he noticed the cat meowing and the rain drops. I thought he was going to pick up the cat. I thought it was going to be a great shot and pressed the button on my camera.

Because of the latency, by the time shutter opened and I clicked the shutter, Bhante had already picked up the cat and was hurrying inside. In no time, the cat was inside safe. Safe from the elements!

Bhante put the cat inside the shrine room and came back to strike the bell!