Today’s feature bun, Bruce, was a rescue bunny who had two homes before his foster home, and only after that did he find his forever home with Jennie R. Now, Jennie tells me Bruce is “a much loved happy house rabbit” and it sounds like they both continue to benefit from having found one another at just the right time in their lives.
Big bunny thanks to Jennie for the beautiful photo. Thanks also to Bruce for the reminder that life encompasses many things and that patience is crucial because bunniness can be found at any moment along the way.
Today’s post is a special one to celebrate the long and joyful life of a Bunny Buddhism bun who recently earned his angel wings. Many of you may remember Zooky as the featured Facebook quote photo bun on book release day (April 1, 2014). Here’s a special reprise of his original photo, with thanks to Bryan and Allison G.
Zooky the bunny, Photo courtesy of Bryan and Allison G.
To Bryan and Allison, I can only say my thoughts are with you. I hope in time you will find your way through the pain of loss and recall with a smile the many peaceful, wall-staring moments of wisdom and bunniness that Zooky brought into your lives. And, to help you on your way to remembering the happy moments, here’s a holiday pic of Dr. Zooky looking his Halloween best!
Dr. Zooky the Halloween bunny, Photo courtesy of Bryan and Allison G.
Today’s moment of bunniness comes to us courtesy of Hazel E. and her adventurous bun, Dynah, who was a rescue from the good people at the MSPCA. Hazel tells me she made four trips to the shelter to adopt a kitten, but Dynah just kept popping up with a great big bunny hello every time Hazel walked by.
Well, Hazel and Dynah, I think your story is a perfect example of how we can hop into one another’s lives in the most unexpected ways. I am so glad you found each other and are sharing many moments of joy and bunniness together!
With special thanks to Cindy F. for another perfect bunny pic, here is lovable Gus experiencing a moment of bunniness with a quote that is near and dear to my heart, especially during this chaotic time in my life. Thank you, Gus, for the reminder that we all have a perfectly calm inner bunny, even when it feels like the world is falling apart around us. All we need to do is keep trying to find it!
This sneaky moment of bunniness comes to us from Karen N. and her bun, Nibbler. Karen took this photo of Nibbler when she caught him listening to her while she was working from home. Here’s a quote about listening to help us all remember that every bunny has a message to share, if only we take the time to listen!
Snickers looks to me like a bunny who is ready for anything, so I thought this quote about readiness might suit her. Thank you to Heather W. for the wonderful photo!
Nevertheless, I have found this somewhat controversial quote to be helpful for my own personal experience. I believe being present in the moment requires a certain amount of “readiness” for whatever comes. This is a lesson that has led me to many valuable opportunities for exploring my own deluded ways of thinking—and, in that way, I find it has some relevance to Buddhism.
Even if it doesn’t and my Western culture and Catholic upbringing are leading me astray (which is certainly possible), I can at least say with some degree of authority that this quote works perfectly well for those of us in pursuit of bunniness. Thank you, Snickers, for helping to show us the way!
This is Mister Pepper Bunzillafluff, one giant bunny who was lucky enough to be rescued by his human, Sarah-Michelle G. Sarah-Michelle tells me Mister Pepper Bunzillafluff loves napping so much that her friends have mistaken him for dead! It’s easy to see why, but I promise this is one live bunny just enjoying being a bunny.
I love this quote because I often feel like all of life is a struggle. It is only when I take time to slow down and breathe that I can let go of the struggle for a moment and just be. It would be nice if stopping the struggle came as easily to humans as it does to bunnies, but I guess we will just have to accept that bunnies naturally live in the moment and humans have to work at it.
Thanks to this inspiration from Mister Pepper Bunzillafluff, I am up to the challenge. Are you?
Mister Pepper Bunzillafluff, Photo courtesy of Sarah-Michelle G.
Today’s moment of bunniness comes from Kim C. and her angel bun, Nestor, who truly embodied the spirit of Bunny Buddhism by overcoming incredible adversity with a heart full of love.
Nestor the bunny, Photo courtesy of Kim C.Nestor suffered several serious infections over his lifetime and even lost an eye to one of them. He was abandoned in a shelter and ten years old before he was adopted by Kim C.
When she first brought him home, Nestor was depressed, but his new environment gave him a chance to explore his inner bunniness. Soon, he was giving kisses and enjoying the company of humans and animals alike.
Sadly, he later developed leukemia, which he fought for a year before his body could no longer take the side effects from steroids at such an advanced age. His immune system deteriorated and he developed an inner ear infection before passing away.
In life, we encounter a seemingly endless parade of difficult experiences. It is easy to get frustrated and give up. If anyone knows this, I do.
But I also think we can learn from Nestor’s experience. Nestor had to face difficulties for many years. If he had given up, he never would have found the loving home that helped him become the bunny he always had the potential to be.
Rather than focusing on the difficult life Nestor had, I will remember how he found his way into a loving home. I will remember that Kim C. adopted a ten year old bunny with one eye when no one else would. I will remember that every obstacle creates opportunity and that we are more likely to find that opportunity when we open our hearts to love and kindness.
May we all hop in kindness, for kind hops benefit all beings.
I’m afraid today’s moment of bunniness is another sad one because Comet has recently hopped across the bridge. However difficult losing a bunny may be, it is precisely these difficult moments that challenge us to find our inner strength so we may in time learn to appreciate and accept the transitory nature of life.
Comet’s human once told me she could always be in the moment whenever Comet was around, so I thought a quote about staying present would be apropros. Thank you to Comet and Dr. Dale of the Secret Handbook 4 Teens for this beautiful photo. May it serve as a reminder that each moment of life is precious and teaches us whatever it is we most need to learn.
Comet the bunny, Photo courtesy of @handbook4teens
Today’s moment of bunniness comes from a very relaxed BUN, who has learned to find bunniness despite the difficulties of bunny life before being adopted by a loving family. Be sure to visit BUN on Facebook and Twitter for more photos and fun from this fluffy little guy and his big bunny personality!
BUN the bunny, Photo used with permission from Facebook.com/fuzzywabbit
