The Legendary Nine Silver Bells
(Part of the Burmese temple tradition, and embodied by the lovely Birman CAts, Sacred Temple Cats)
The meaning of each silver bell:
1. CAT - Birth or beginning
2. PRIEST - He eats what is left over and is easily satisfied with little.
"RIGHT" Belief - that the truth is the guide of man.
3. WARRIOR - Marches in front and ready to fight.
"RIGHT RESOLVE" - to be calm at all times and not to harm any living creature.
4. HUSBAND OR WIFE - Watchful and goes out of the house first, and returns last.
"RIGHT" Speech - never to lie, never to slander anyone, and never to use coarse or harsh
language.
5. STROLLING SINGER - Ill-trained and changeful and wounds him who gets near.
"RIGHT" Behavior - never to steal, never to kill, and never to do anything one may later regret
or be ashamed of.
6. THIEF - He prowls around in darkness and is a shameless eater.
"RIGHT" Occupation - never to choose an accupation that is considered bad.
7. COURTESAN - Fond of singing and roams along the road.
"RIGHT" Effort - alwats to strive for that which is good and avoid that which evil.
8. CHILD - Fond of sleep, gentle and trusting.
"RIGHT" Contemplation - of the NOBLE TRUTHS, in calmness and detachment.
9. HERMIT - Digs the earth with his paws.
"RIGHT" Concentration - will then follow and lead to the path of perfect peace.
The legend ends with the maxim:
"Woe to he who brings the end of one of these marvelous beasts, even if he did not mean to. He will surely suffer the most vruel torments until the soul he upset has been appeased."
The original "Nine Silver Bells" were worn by PKAA and KLAA KHMER when they journeyed from Cambodia to the United States to "ward off evil spirits" on August 12, 1960. Helen and Albert Moore of Delaware came in to the possession of one set when they adopted Korrigan of Clover Creek from Mrs. Gertrude Griswold. They are donating one set of the original bells to the CAT Fanciers Association as part of a memorial plaque to commemorate the Best Birman in Championship annually.
A Birman Archive, 1996
