My Loved One May Have Cancer but Doesn't Know It — What Should I Do? | Master Jingben
【Q&A Series】
My Loved One May Have Cancer but Doesn't Know It — What Should I Do?
I have been doing good deeds on behalf of a loved one — releasing captive animals, printing sutras, making offerings to the monastic community, and so on — and I have also asked the monastic community to chant and dedicate the merit to him. This is because, some time ago, this loved one coughed up blood and went to the hospital for a check-up. The hospital suspects it may be cancer, but it may or may not be — nothing is confirmed yet; the report will only come out later. In front of him, I act as though nothing has happened; I dare not bring up his illness, nor have I told him about the things I have been doing for him, for fear he might overthink it. I am truly afraid of hearing that the truth is cancer, and I do not know what to do. May I ask others to help with assisted recitation on his behalf?
Master Jingben Answers: Namo Amitabha. From your letter, I can feel this care you have for your loved one.
First, the hospital at present only "suspects" — so the result may or may not be so. The report will only come out later, and nothing is settled yet. So please do not torment yourself first with the worst imaginings. Rather than waiting in the torment of fear, entrust it to Amitabha Buddha — for this period, recite the Name first, and rest your heart upon this one "Namo Amitabha."
Regarding the "assisted recitation" you asked about — generally speaking, assisted recitation refers to the reciting done at the time of dying. Your loved one is still living, and the diagnosis is not yet confirmed; so what is to be done for him now is "reciting the Name and dedicating the merit, praying for blessings and the dispelling of misfortune." You are most welcome to ask others to recite the Name and dedicate the merit for him together; you are also welcome to come to the monastery to set up a blessing-and-protection tablet for your loved one, and to take part in a recitation Dharma assembly (whether in person or online), dedicating the merit together. Know this: reciting the Name carries the blessing and power of the Buddha — Amitabha Buddha is our mountain of refuge, and with Amitabha to rely on, the heart can be at peace.
All the good deeds you have done for your loved one are very heartfelt, and I rejoice in them. Most important of all is that you yourself recite the Name with a peaceful heart. What the other Dharma friend taught you — "single-mindedly recite Namo Amitabha; let reciting permeate your life, and let your life become one of reciting" — is entirely correct; simply follow it just so. When you are afraid, recite; when you are uneasy, still recite. Whatever the report may say later, with Amitabha Buddha to rely on, everything will have the best of arrangements. Should there truly be illness, then cooperate well with the doctors' treatment while continuing to recite the Name; Amitabha's compassionate light watches over and embraces us at all times — there is no need to panic.
As for your not daring, at present, to bring up the illness in front of your loved one, nor telling him of the things you have done for him — this is a kind of thoughtfulness, sparing him from overthinking; there is nothing wrong with doing so. Simply recite the Name and dedicate the merit for him quietly, and he will receive the benefit all the same.
Please recite the Name with a peaceful heart, and entrust everything to Amitabha Buddha. May Amitabha Buddha's compassionate light bless him, that he may soon be well and at peace. Namo Amitabha
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