CN Paw-fect interruption: Friendly cat tests Buddhist monk's concentration as it crawls onto his lap as he chants

This is the hilarious moment a Buddhist monk gives into a persistent cat's bid for affection during five-hour-long New Year prayers at a Thai temple.

Footage shows a chanting monk in a saffron-robe monk gently trying to push away the cat as it repeatedly crawls into his lap.

Respect for all living beings is a key tenet of Buddhism, practised by about 95 per cent of Thailand's population.

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The monk gently tries to push away the feline that crawled into his lap, and has delighted Thais who saw the footage on a temple follower's Facebook page. It happened at Wat Udomrangsi, a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok where the cat is known to be a regular visitor

After several attempts to repel the cat, the monk finally gave up and started petting the furry intruder at Wat Udomrangsi, a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok where the cat is known to be a regular visitor.

The 25-year-monk, who uses the monastic name Luang Pi Komkrit Taechachoto, said: 'I was trying to read the book. But I was more focused on the cat.'

The cat's antics also drew a stern side-eye from a more senior monk seated adjacent to it.

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After several attempts to repel the cat - who climbed up his robe, kneaded his shoulder and blocked the view to his scripture book - the monk finally gave up and started petting the furry intruder (pictured)

Nophayong Sookphan, a temple follower who took the video, said the cat jumped on stage at around 15 minutes to midnight and would not leave until after the countdown to New Year's Day.

She originally posted the video on a public Facebook group named 'Cats' Slaves', and it was soon reposted on different pages.

The footage has gained around 300,000 views collectively and was also replayed on Thai TV.

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The cat's antics also drew a stern side-eye from a more senior monk (left) seated adjacent to it at Wat Udomrangsi, a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok where the cat is known to be a regular visitor

Thailand has a tradition of free-roaming cats at its many Buddhist temples.

Wat Udomrangsi is home to at least a dozen stray cats, who are fed by devotees each day, Komkrit said.

'They're all fat,' he added.

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A paw-ly written story. Why is the cat not named?

It is good to see a respect for these beautiful and gracious animals among other cultures.
 
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They have a lot of free range dogs too. They call them soi dogs, which I think means street dog, and everyone on the street looks after them. They're pretty friendly and fairly well looked after. The dogs and cats obviously get to know where the tourists stay too and go there because they know it's playtime 24/7 when you find some drunk idiot on holiday.
 
They have a lot of free range dogs too. They call them soi dogs, which I think means street dog, and everyone on the street looks after them. They're pretty friendly and fairly well looked after. The dogs and cats obviously get to know where the tourists stay too and go there because they know it's playtime 24/7 when you find some drunk idiot on holiday.
I remember there is one Buddhist temple in Japan where they have a population of semi-tame deer wandering the grounds.
 
I remember there is one Buddhist temple in Japan where they have a population of semi-tame deer wandering the grounds.
I’ve been to that park before. They even know how to bow their heads to get the tourists to feed them.
It’s quite endearing, and also funny when the local food vendors have to keep shoo’ing them away from their wares.
 
I remember there is one Buddhist temple in Japan where they have a population of semi-tame deer wandering the grounds.
Thailand has the soi dogs & cats all over, not just in temples. When I was last in Phuket I used to get a beer in the evening at the bar next door to where I was staying, and the same dog was always there. There was a ginger cat that used to hang around too.
 
I remember there is one Buddhist temple in Japan where they have a population of semi-tame deer wandering the grounds.
Yep, it's in Nara. Upon visiting you will discover that deer look really fucking dumb and bovine up close, and that they're entitled little pricks about treats.
 
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