Whether to Tell Someone She Is Dying
A young nun had been diagnosed with advanced cancer. She had exhausted the options for a cure and was nearing death. A number of people were concerned about her state of mind and were reluctant to tell her that she would die soon. When Rinpoche heard of this situation, he passed on the following advice for her and for the people caring for her.
It is not appropriate to withhold this important and relevant information from her. Knowing that she only has this very short time to live should help her make what time is left most useful. This is very critical for her.
I would like to sponsor 100,000 tsa-tsas for her. I have already asked for light offerings to be made for her at the Swayambounath stupa in Nepal. Tell her that all these pujas and practices, like the tsa-tsas, are all being done for the purpose of her purification for a 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 keep this in mind. Keep repeating: “I am going to die for the benefit of all sentient beings. The practice, the service, that I am doing and have done is for the benefit of sentient beings.”