Friend Dying of Cancer
Rinpoche gave the following advice to a friend of a nun who had cancer and was dying. The friend had asked for advice on her behalf.
It is inappropriate to not tell her that she is dying, as that is withholding important and relevant information. Knowing that she only has a very short time to live should help her to make what time is left to her most useful; this is very critical for her.
Regarding chemotherapy treatment, my observation is that this would be very bad. There are two pujas to be done:
- Chag-sum
- Gyab-shi
You could ask one of the geshes there if they can do these, for example, Geshe Doga, Geshe Dawa, Geshe Tashi Tsering or Khensur Rinpoche. I will also arrange some pujas here. Of course, it is important to do them quickly.
Tell her that all these pujas and practices, like the tsa-tsas, are all being done for the purpose of purification for her good rebirth and that she should not worry. This is what I am saying to her. The main thing for her is to practice bodhicitta, always keeping it in her mind. She should keep repeating, "I am going to die for the benefit of all sentient beings, and the practice and service I am doing and have done is for the benefit of sentient beings."
I would like to sponsor 100,000 tsa-tsas, so we will talk to Ven. Munsel and try to arrange the 100,000 with her. Although Ven. Munsel might not ask for anything for making the tsa-tsas it is very important to make an offering for her service, to create merit and dedicate it to Tenzin.