Special Topics
Finding Health and Peace in Illness
Illness is the most direct reminder that life is impermanent. The body must face and endure the pain of illness, while the mind must learn to accept and let go of its suffering. If we can view illness through the lens of the Dharma, seeing it as a practice examination in life, observing how pain changes, and experiencing how neither body nor mind is truly within one’s control, then we may come to realize impermanence and no-self. In this way, illness can become like an...
Wisdom in Illness
Illness is a manifestation of impermanence, and also a reminder about life. From the fear of losing our health or facing death head-on, we learn life’s lessons and cultivate a heart of gratitude. In this way, we can be sick and whole, sick without anguish. ■ Editorial Office Illness Is Like a Pop Quiz in Life. How Will You Answer It? When we are healthy and our bodies move freely, we rarely stop to think about how we’ll respond when illness strikes. Some people thro...
Buddha Teaches Us How to Care for the Sick: Five Practices for Tending to the Sick
Being ill is arduous, yet caring for the sick is no easy task either. What kind of care do the sick require? What should a caregiver do to put the patient at ease and facilitate a speedy recovery? The Buddha was not only skilled at caring for ailing monks but also provided clear guidelines for caregivers—as recorded in the 9th Sutra of the “Chapter 32 on the Gathering of Good” (善聚品), Volume 24 of the Ekottarika Āgama (增壹阿含經), also known as the "Five Practices...
Unconstrained by illness, the mind remains at ease
Shifting from a fast-paced life to a slower rhythm, and from an energetic, passionate nature to one of serenity and ease— through the "lesson" of undergoing dialysis, Venerable Guo Chang (Nung Chan Monastery Course and Activity Group) has learned humility toward the body and the cultivation of a gentle, flexible mind. Today, she lives with her illness in a state of health and peace of mind. ■ Venerable Guo Xian (釋果賢) "One must not let illness impose limits. ...
Receiving Karmic Results, Fulfilling Vows, and Vowing Anew
As his health gradually declined, Xie Shui-Yong (謝水庸) accepted the changes calmly, without distress. Through one illness and treatment after another, he put Chan methods into practice. Even while calmly receiving karmic retribution, he did not forget to make vows, thus continuing to bring light to both his own life and the lives of others. ■ Venerable Yan Wen (釋演穩) Walking outdoors beneath the blazing summer sun is enough to leave anyone hot and irritable. At three in the afternoo...
Illness: Guiding the Direction of Your Life
Having lived through illness, Hui-Tzu Chen 陳慧慈 (Consultant at the Buddhist Lotus Hospice Care Foundation) is filled with gratitude. She sees this as a lesson given to her by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, teaching her to be more compassionate, empathize with others' physical suffering, and learn how to care for others. ■ Hui-Min Chiu (邱惠敏) I was waiting for my guest in a conference room at the Buddhist Lotus Hospice Care Foundation. When I looked up, I saw Hui-Tzu Chen (...