Saturday 3 June 2006

My cousin

On 22 May, 2 weeks ago, my cousin met with a tragic car accident. And she is still in coma now. My cousin, T, who is 41 years old, had just sent her 3-year-old son to his playschool, when she was knocked by a delivery truck. According to witness, it seemed that the negligent driver was driving past the green light when my cousin was crossing the T-junction.

She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to her head, left rib cage and hand. She was immediately operated on her brain, as liquid was flowing out non-stop. Doctors had to insert a tube to drain the liquid and then an artificial part of the skull had to be fixed on. Otherwise she will become an invalid. She remained unconscious. One week later they operated on her nose as it was broken. Apparently if not operated on, her eyes would become blind. Her family, especially her husband were on virgil at her bedside in the intensive care unit everyday. Her young son who is very close to her is still not aware what had happened to his mommy.

While I may not be that close this cousin of mine, I know her to be a very caring and friendly person who always has a bright smile for everyone. It would be a waste that such a young person die so tragically. I feel sad for her, for her family, for her young son and also for her 80-year-old mother (who is my aunt - my father's eldest sister).

On 22 May night, I prayed to Buddha that my cousin will not suffer in pain and will wake up fast and recover soon. Last week I went to an impromptu Medicine Buddha puja conducted by HE Khyentse Beru Rinpoche. It came at the right time as I wanted to pray for my cousin badly. Although she is a Christian, I offered light and flowers and made donation on behalf of her.

This evening, I went to the
Medicine Buddha illness warding-off puja in Drophenling. Again I offered candle with her name. I prayed that Medicine Buddha will help her overcome and survive this ordeal. The Medicine Buddha is also known as the King of medicines. He not only serves to heal all sentient beings from their physical illness, but also helps to eradicate all sources of sufferings which main source is – ignorance. By eradicating ignorance, one will be liberated from the suffering of samsara. Because we are not yet enlightened, we succumb to our afflictive emotions and delusions, especially the 3 poisons – greed, hatred and ignorance. In total, there are 84,000 kinds of delusions that we will face; various illnesses and diseases arise due to them, and out physical body suffers under their torments. The Medicine Buddha made a strong wish to liberate all sentient beings, hence, by merely chanting His Mantra, one can not only prevent disasters and natural calamities, increases one’s lifespan, one will also accumulate merits to be reborn in the Pure Land of Medicine Buddha.

I chanted his mantra many many many times tonight. I dedicated my merits gained from this puja to my cousin, may she not suffer any more pain and may she wake up fast. I wish I have the chance to pray for my cousin in her intensive care room, to invoke Medicine Buddha's blessing on her, but we were not allowed to enter the room. I am praying that a miracle will happen soon.

No comments:

Post a Comment