Page 42 - Little Stories of a Great Monk

Chief Reverend not only has had good relationships with people, he too had good
Chief Reverend not only has had good relationships with people, he too had good
relationship with animals.
relationship with animals.
Once a canine came to the temple and became a devoted guard dog for Chief Reverend.
Once a canine came to the temple and became a devoted guard dog for Chief Reverend.
Whenever someone came near to Chief Reverend, the dog would bark. Once that person
Whenever someone came near to Chief Reverend, the dog would bark. Once that person
took a few steps backward, the dog would stop barking. When Chief Reverend’s body
took a few steps backward, the dog would stop barking. When Chief Reverend’s body
(coffin) was placed in the Buddhist Maha Vihara for a few days after his death, this
(coffin) was placed in the Buddhist Maha Vihara for a few days after his death, this Another animal in the form of a cat came to the Buddhist Maha
Another animal in the form of a cat came to the Buddhist Maha
dog would come to the coffin and guard it closely.
dog would come to the coffin and guard it closely. Vihara. The cat was indeed very intelligent as she always used both
Vihara. The cat was indeed very intelligent as she always used both
I personally witnessed the dog performing an amazing act. He would put his entire
I personally witnessed the dog performing an amazing act. He would put his entire of its hind legs to stand, and then folded his front legs like
of its hind legs to stand, and then folded his front legs like
body on the ground, wriggle forward, stop for a while and then wriggle forward again.
body on the ground, wriggle forward, stop for a while and then wriggle forward again. performing prayers. She was affectionately called the “Prayer Cat”.
performing prayers. She was affectionately called the “Prayer Cat”.
He did this for three consecutive times, as if he was paying his last respects (by After the “Prayer Cat” passed away, there came another cat. That
He did this for three consecutive times, as if he was paying his last respects (by
After the “Prayer Cat” passed away, there came another cat. That
bowing three times) to the late Chief Reverend. Many people who were there were
bowing three times) to the late Chief Reverend. Many people who were there were cat liked to use both of her front legs to massage Chief Reverend’s
cat liked to use both of her front legs to massage Chief Reverend’s
amazed.
amazed. soles. She was nicknamed “Massage Cat”. Chief Reverend used to
soles. She was nicknamed “Massage Cat”. Chief Reverend used to
request a blind masseur to massage him. The cat saw that and soon
request a blind masseur to massage him. The cat saw that and soon
learnt how to massage.
learnt how to massage.

On July 25, Chief Reverend had to be sent to a Singapore
On July 25, Chief Reverend had to be sent to a Singapore
Hospital for treatment. On his way, he requested to make a
Hospital for treatment. On his way, he requested to make a
stop at the temple. He just wished to see the temple, the cats
stop at the temple. He just wished to see the temple, the cats
.
and the dogs there. That was the last time he would do so.
and the dogs there. That was the last time he would do so

40 41