Two days ago while i was engaged in a small project of translation works for health articles, I received a phone call from a long time friend, to whom i had brought Kunde Rinpoche la to bless her mum two years ago when her mum's bleeding did not stop after the operation of colon at the age of 88 (?). She had been a devout Buddhist for Buddha Amitabha chant for decades (?). - This time the call is based on friendship and kind-heartedness for her former long time neighbour.
Two years ago, it was a real life practice of contemplative of impermanance of life for me. I drove H.E. Kunde Rinpoche la for near 250KM to reach their home. Rinpoche la brought a gift of
Buddha Amitayus for her, my friend was surprised and happy - Her Buddhist name was Amrta, according to her, it meant long life! Further, she said that she consulted another Buddhist friend which her
Lama advised her to pray to Amitayus! I was also surprised as before we left leading to her house, personally, i request if Rinpoche la if he could give her a Medicine Buddha! - to my little understanding because we were visiting someone who was very sicked and conventional drugs failed to heal her conditions at that time! Her mum was very delighted to see a Monk (with
Lama's robe) who had taken the trouble to visit her - travelling for a long distant, at that time, she had also lost her appetite for food! Rinpoche la blessed her for quite a long time, feeding her with one
mani (Dzogchen medicine pills) & given some for emergency if needed. Shortly after that, she began to eat, and she reiterated it made a great difference to her pain after the blessings and the 'mani'. Later we left, 2 or 3 (?) weeks later, i received a text message that she had started using support to stand up and walking. Later the biopsy report confirmed that she had terminal illness, but she lived for another 2 years plus. When she passed away, it happened my friend called to inform me the sad news, that time Rinpoche la was around. Thus the affinity was such that Rinpoche la did 4 sessions of special prayers for her. For details, readers may read the earlier post.
This time the call for help was because that friend became a patient did not response to conventional medical helps, till she was admitted to one of the famous private local hospital in the city - The doctors found no cause of her sickness which she even could not talk (as at 2 days ago)! Then the family members were very anxious and fearful thus tried to seek mediums' helps (including Hindus' medium!) - thus a variations of 'stories' were reported! The last narration was her 'spirit' was suspected to have entered by a 'male wandering soul'! Furthermore, the common Chinese has the traditional (?) belief that this Lunar calander 7th month is the month of 'ghosts and suffering beings from the hells being released by the Hell King' (until 15 Sept 2012). My friend requested on their behalf if Kunde Rinpoche la could help? Kunde Rinpoche la spoke to my friend via phone. That time was near mid-night, but with compassion, Kunde Rinpoche la did a session of prayer (a distant from the patient geographically by using a photograph sent by email urgently). The advice from Rinpoche la was 'not to worry, she is OK'. A day later, that friend asked if Rinpoche la could give the mani that he mum had before. Compassionately, he consented without any hesitation! (but due to time and distant reason, it could not be delivered immediately) Then Rinpoche la asked me if anyone could teach her to do the (Padmasambhava) Guru Rinpoche's Mantra Chant? Thus i referred a video of this Mantra Chanting by a Khenpo la retrieved from YouTube (Thanks to YouTube, this is the 'blessings' of technological innovation) also our communication in this case should be credited to the functions of Facebook! - not just to share juicy photographs only, BUT when such urgent communication of helping someone could be connected in distance!
Later, Kunde Rinpoche mentioned to me that when the human mind is confused, the physical body could be sicked! These 2 days, in my contemplation, i could not help but feeling quite helpless towards the cyclic 'problems' facing our so-called local 'Buddhist' - we have all reasons not to spend time learning the dharma, practice it and cultivate our mind. When conventional medical helps failed, we panic and looked for all kinds of religious assistance irrespective of whether we investigate the teachings, experienced it before that and know that it is beneficial to oneself (do not harm oneself nor others) as long as our 'short-term' problem solved - it may turn into long term problems or tragic circumstances if we were not wise and try to use our common sense?
In reflection: When we spent much resources supported by just a few people who were practicing Buddhist and generously helped the Buddha Amitabha Chang Chog Puja (阿弥陀佛超度法会) in time, energy and financially, we urged enquirers (who happened to see the Puja posters and contacted us) to come and practice together for a special day to transfer merits to all sentient beings, we contacted friends etc. etc... but there were many reasons not to spend a day off to appease the centuries long belief of 'Sentient Beings' who are sufferings and according to Buddhism (all three major schools), needed spiritual assistance to be relieved and released from the unseen state of sufferings! Though one may come for one's own motivation, but it is the Mass prayers by long-time well trained Vajrayana Masters, in this case from the oldest tradition, Nyingma school, specifically Dzogchen tradition! Personally, i thought that this is where the religious aspects of ceremonial practices in a vast variety of melodious chants (such as Vajrayana Mantras) and scriptural chants by the full-time practitioners using special religious instruments by a Tulku, two Khepos and assisted by a
Lama, who possess expertise in monastic long time training have the exclusive role, that self-learners of theoretical Buddha's teachings among Buddhists, regardless of full-time or part-time - may be unless with exceptional compassionate Bodhicittva vow in past lives and/or one is born with that special psychic abilities???, may still need this 'services' and be part of it - Sangha spirit (fellowship)! Like it or not, the power of the Chantings by oneself alone and Mass chanting is a great difference! May be only personal experiences could convinced oneself?
Below is a beautiful picture photograph on 31 August 2012 during the Buddha Amitabha Chang Chog for sharing - one may think this little act of request by this is young devotee's relative was 'superstitious', belief it or not, it may have a long-everlasting spiritual effect on this child for her whole life - especially when ife's most unforseen challenges knocks!
[photograph provided by H.E. Kunde Rinpoche, all rights reserved]
