One Day a Cat Came to Me by Bokyeong Sunim

Last updated: 18 October 2026

What is One Day a Cat Came to Me about?

Bokyeong Sunim spent more than ten years at a busy city temple in Seoul. Then he moved to a rural temple in the mountains. That winter, a ginger-and-white cat appeared on his doorstep and, in his own words, "a cat walked into my arms."

From there, the book is a run of short reflections on their days together. It covers companionship, patience, living alongside other creatures and the turning of the seasons. Jinwoo Park translated it from the Korean, where the original title is 어느 날 고양이가 내게로 왔다.

So you will not find breathing exercises or a meditation programme here. Instead, it reads like a monk's notebook, with the cat turning up in most of the entries.

Who is Bokyeong Sunim?

"Sunim" is the Korean honorific for a Buddhist monk, so the name translates as the Venerable Bokyeong. According to his UK publisher, Souvenir Press, he was ordained at Songgwangsa, one of South Korea's oldest and most respected temples, and later spent over a decade at Beopryeonsa in Seoul.

He has also written about cats before. His earlier Korean books include Time Spent Reading a Cat and The Happiness Cats Bring.

What Joanna Lumley and James Norbury said

Joanna Lumley's line sits on the front of the UK edition. She calls it "an enchanting book" and says it deserves a huge readership. Meanwhile, James Norbury, the author and illustrator of Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, describes it as "a gentle book full of quiet wisdom".

So if Big Panda and Tiny Dragon went down well with you, or with someone you are buying for, this belongs on the same shelf. The difference is that Bokyeong Sunim tells his story in prose rather than drawings.

Who will enjoy it

• Cat owners. The cat is the reason the book exists, and most chapters are about living with one.
• Bedtime readers. The chapters are short, so it works in ten-minute stretches.
• Readers curious about Korean Buddhism. Temple life comes through in small, everyday detail rather than lectures.
• Christmas shoppers. It is a compact hardback with a cat sitting on a crimson temple roof on the cover, and it costs less than £15.

On the other hand, if you want a structured guide to mindfulness or Zen practice, this is the wrong book. The lessons here are gentle and anecdotal, by design.

Where to buy One Day a Cat Came to Me in the UK

The hardback has an RRP of £14.99, the ebook is £11.99 and the audiobook is £24.99.

• Amazon UK: £11.89 for the hardback, with free delivery for Prime members.
• Bookshop.org: £14.24 for the hardback, and part of every sale goes to independent bookshops.

Buy from Amazon, £11.89Buy from Bookshop.org

The audiobook

Arthur Lee reads the audiobook. However, £24.99 is a lot for a short book, so a subscription credit is the cheaper route. Our Audible guide covers the current plans and the trial. Alternatively, the Bookshop.org audiobooks guide compares its credit price with Audible's.

The sequel, The Contemplation of Cats

A second book, The Contemplation of Cats: More Zen Wisdom from a Cat and his Monk, is due on 6 May 2027, also from Souvenir Press and also translated by Jinwoo Park. It follows a ginger-and-white cat at Songgwangsa as spring turns to summer.

For more presents along these lines, our gifts for cat lovers guide gathers the rest.

Book details

• Title: One Day a Cat Came to Me: Timeless Zen Wisdom from a Cat and His Monk
• Author: Bokyeong Sunim
• Translator: Jinwoo Park
• Publisher: Souvenir Press, an imprint of Profile Books
• UK publication: 15 October 2026
• Format: hardback, 256 pages
• ISBN: 9781806491568
• RRP: £14.99 (ebook £11.99, audiobook £24.99)

FAQs

What is One Day a Cat Came to Me about?

It follows Bokyeong Sunim, a Korean Buddhist monk, after he leaves a Seoul temple for a mountain temple. A ginger-and-white cat arrives at his door in winter, and the book reflects on their life together, on patience, companionship and the seasons.

How much is One Day a Cat Came to Me in the UK?

The hardback RRP is £14.99. Amazon sells it for £11.89 and Bookshop.org for £14.24. The ebook is £11.99 and the audiobook £24.99.

Is it a Zen meditation guide?

No. It is a collection of short, personal reflections with no exercises or programmes, which suits readers who want something calm to read rather than instructions to follow.

Who translated it?

Jinwoo Park translated it from the Korean for Souvenir Press.

Does it make a good gift?

Yes, for a cat lover or a fan of Big Panda and Tiny Dragon. It is a compact hardback with a striking cover, and it costs less than £15.

Is there a follow-up book?

Yes. The Contemplation of Cats is due on 6 May 2027.

Prices and links last checked on 18 October 2026. This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

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