Buddhist Monk Rescues Cat From Tree

Temple cat Sarana had got stuck on Newton Grove chasing a squirrel

Buddhist monk rescues cat from tree. Picture: Fiona Rivaz

One of the monks from the Vihara on the Avenue had to perform a daring rescue last Wednesday afternoon (14 November).

Sarana, the white cat from the Buddhist temple in Chiswick had chased a squirrel up a tree on Newton Grove, a road behind the Vihara and had been stuck up there for much of the day.

Eventually a long ladder was found and the monk managed to retrieve Sarana safe and sound.

Sarana has lived at the London Buddhist Vihara for just over a year. He haunted the back door for a couple of weeks last June After a week the Head Monk put out a blanket for him, then a rudimentary shelter from the rain and eventually bought him food and opened the door.

The Cat was not microchipped or neutered and they spent two months searching through missing pets websites for his previous “owner”. When no one came forward to claim him, Sarana (Refuge) was named, vaccinated and microchipped and became part of the Vihara community.

The Monk who rescued him has largely, taken responsibility for his welfare, and Sarana would have trusted him completely to help him out of the tree.

Although he can’t hear, Sarana appears to love the Monks’ chanting and during the big celebrations at the Vihara the white cat walks among the crowds of white-clad devotees.

One of the neighbours said Sarana was seen chasing squirrels up the tree in summer, and the monks can only assume that without the added barrier of foliage he climbed higher this time and couldn’t get back down.

He had apparently been in the tree on Wednesday since 8am before the Monk, at third attempt, and with the help of a kind neighbour, succeeded in rescuing him.

Later that evening, apparently unfazed by his adventure, as he often does, Sarana joined the regular Wednesday meditation class.

November 18, 2018