Prayer for healing

 

Question : (Unedited)

do you have a healing prayer?  A friend just found out she has cancer throughout her body. She is Buddhist and I would like to send her some encouraging message that pertains to her faith.    Thank you. 
 

My comment: 

Hi B,

There is no healing prayer in Buddhism.  Otherwise all will be healed by just chanting the "healing prayer".  A lot of Asians claim to be "Buddhists" but just in name only, for they do not even know who the Buddha was.  I take it that your friend is a "practising" Buddhist.  Then you got to find out which tradition she practises.  Different traditions have different "prayers" for the sick.  

My opinion is that a simple message to this effect will suffice:  
"May the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha give you strength to face all adversity, and may you regain your health in due course."

Hope this helps.

I Want Happiness

A very special Buddhist friend passes away

 

CT Chang

Today is September 11, 2012. It is a very sad day for me. To the world this day is also a very sad day.

On September 11, 2009, my internet friend CT Chang was given only 6 months to live by his doctor.  He was diagnosed with 4th stage kidney cancer which had spread to both his lungs.  He fought on and lived for another three very fruitful and eventful years.  During that period he posted his cancer progress and findings in his blog "Upekha" and gained much respect for his resilience and courage fighting cancer.

If you are interested to know more about Chang. please read my article as a tribute to him in Hubpages

CLICK HERE

(Chang's favourite spiritual piece)
The Chant of Metta by Imee Ooi

Positioning of Buddha photo

 

Question : (Unedited)

i have some duddha photo kept at my praying place, but recently my friend told that this is not the direction it should be kept. so i request you to tell me how it should be placed and which direction.

My comment:

Hi A,

Thank you for asking me.

Placing of Buddha images and pictures were introduced by the followers long after the Buddha passed away.  It was natural therefore, to place the object of veneration at the most respected position.  As with all cultures, the most honourable position would be the centre at an elevated position.  On the opposing end, it would be disrespectful to haphazardly place objects of veneration anywhere we like.  I would say we just need some common sense to know which position is respectful and which is not.  So long as you feel right, then there is nothing to say that you are wrong.  Do it with a clear conscience and all will be well.  If you want my direct comment, you need to tell me how you position the photos.

Where do we go after this life?

 

Question : (Unedited)

Thank you for your reply to an earlier question.  I am confused as to what happens after death to someone who is advanced spiritually.  Am I correct in that Nirvana is freedom from the cycle of rebirth? If so, what does being in a state of Nirvana involve? Is this the same as being reborn in a higher realm?

Also, I understand it is the belief that the Dalai Lama and other spiritual teachers choose to be reborn as a human over and over to help lead others toward enlightenment. Would this not be a mission of a bodhisattva? If one chose not to be reborn, would this not be considered self-serving? If one is not reborn, can a Buddha continue to "guide" humans via prayers, etc?

Sorry for so many questions, but I am quite confused on this issue - Thanks!

 

My comment:

Hi S,

A spiritually advanced person will most probably be reborn in a higher realm.  Higher realm is still within the conditioned state of existence, which means after a period of time the being will die and be reborn; the cycle still goes on.  Nibbana (Nirvana) is very different.  It actually means "no more craving".  It is an enlightened state, where the person has completely irredicated greed, hatred and delusion.  There is no more rebirth into the cycle of births and deaths.  Nibbana is not a place.  It is a state where it is not bound by conditions.  It is actually not within human ability to fully understand what Nibbana is.  For a more elaborate explaination please click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana

I do not know about the thinking of Dalai Lama or other spritual leaders.  The "Bodhisatta" concept is a Mahayana idea.  I practise the Theravada tradition.  The Buddha did not guide humans through prayers.  He guides us through his teachings.  That is why we do not need the Buddha in person to show us the way. That's why, although the Buddha is not around, his teachings (The Dhamma) are our guiding light.  

Freedom to choose and decide

 

Question : (Unedited)

I smoke, drink, eat meat and play military computer games. I feel drawn to the bhuddist way of life. Will all of these have to go?

My comment:

Hi B,

Thank you for asking me.

Since you are drawn to the Buddhist way of life, continue to study and practise the Buddha's sublime teachings. You will eventually realize that the teachings of the Buddha are very practical and liberal.  You will be encouraged to use your common sense and human intelligence to analyze all the Buddha's teachings.  Given time you will find the answers by yourself.  Once this happens, your mind will be liberated and you will gain the freedom to think for yourself and not depending on any external agent to make decision for you.  The Buddha's teachings will pave the way for you to walk the path of freedom to know what is right and what is wrong.  Only you yourself can make this decision.   A Buddhist is free to decide for himself what is skilful and what is unskilful living.  He has this freedom and he must use this freedom to decide for himself.

If I were to tell you to stop what you are doing now, don't you think that I am actually insulting your intelligence?  For you are intelligent enough to know what is good and what is bad for you.  I must respect your absolute freedom to decide for yourself.  The Buddha never command anyone to stop doing anything.  He would point out to them that certain behaviour is not beneficial, while others are.  If the person did not want to harm himself,  he should not continue with the unskilful behaviour.

As a guideline, we need to ask ourselves these three questions:
1. Is this action harmful to oneself?
2. Is this action harmful to others?
3. Is this action bebeficial?