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by Deepal Sooriyaarchchi, [email protected]

There was this monk during Buddha's time who got a skin disease. First it was a rash. Then they became small blisters, they were small as must seeds. In weeks they became as large as grapes. Few days later the blisters were red and they were large like red apples.

And then they broke open and the fuss and blood began to ooze out from his body. The robe was stuck to the body and the smell was unbearing and no one was going near him. He was in severe pain, almost dying. The Buddha and Ananda were visiting the lodgings, and they came to where the sick monk lay, and the Buddha asked him: "Monk, what is wrong with you?" Then he described how the rash got aggravated and that he is in unbearable pain.

"Is there no one to look after you?'
"No Lord"
"Then why is it the other monks don't look after you?"
"It is because I am of no use to them, Lord."

Then the Buddha said to Ananda: "Go and fetch water. We will wash this monk" So, Ananda brought water and Buddha poured it out while Ananda washed the monk all over. Then taking the monk by the head and the feet, The Buddha and Ananda together carried him and laid him on a bed. Later, the Buddha called the monks, together and asked them:

"Why monks, did you not look after that sick monk?".
"Because he was of no use to us, Lord"

"You have no mother or father to take care of you. If you do not look after each other, who else will? He who would nurse me let him nurse the sick" (vinaya). This is how Buddha illustrated the importance of nursing sick not by advice but by example.

He goes on to say how one can and should nurse the sick

"Possessing five qualities, one who nurses the sick is fit to nurse the sick. What five? He can prepare the medicine; he knows what is good and what is not - what is good he offers, and what is not he does not; he nurses the sick out of love, not out of hope for gain; he is unmoved by excertment, urine, vomit and spittle; and from time to time he can instruct inspire, gladden and satisfy the sick with talk on Dhamma". (Anguttara nikaya).

By definition human beings are helpless. They cannot look after them on their own unlike animals. Animals know by instinct what to do when they are sick. But we do not know.

Although the mankind invest millions in developing weapons of such sophistication and destruction to kill another human being, human life is so fragile. A drop of water is enough to end the life of a person. When we are sick we become so helpless. None can bear the pain other than the person who has it. Whether you are king or a slave, a millioniore or a pauper, a saint of a murderer the bodily pain is yours and your alone. Hence the saying health is wealth. In Dhammapada Buddha says "Arogya Parama Labha - Health is the highest gain".

The sicknesses are two fold. They are physical and mental. Though one can live long without a physical ailment the average person cannot live a moment without a mental disease says Buddha. (Ummataka loko puttugjano).

Nursing sick can take many forms. If the sick person is one of your loved ones then the situation is different. When a person who is very close to you what happens to you. You feel agitated, worried, concerned. The fear of death and disability begin to haunt your mind. The dark shadows of these uncertain eventualities begin to dominate your mind. Every moment of the day begins to be filled with the preoccupation of the sickness of the loved one. Some times you are so confused you do not know what to do.

You go from doctor to doctor. From one astrologer to another. You cannot bear up to see how he or she suffers. Beware of your mental state. It can move from a state of compassion to a state of despair and self denial or even anger You would say "I just cannot look at how he suffers".

This shows the instable mental state we are in. When a person is such a pain one might even wish "It may be better for him to die rather than going through this pain" In such unbalanced states of mind one cannot really help sick. You need to develop loving kindness and compassion when nursing sick. For instance if you are visiting a patient rather than entertaining thoughts of agony and worry why not keep wishing him well and happy. If you are in a vehicle you can close your eyes and visualize the person and imagine him being recovered and keep wishing him well.

If you continue to develop such positive thought it is much more powerful and beneficial to the patient than otherwise.

When you visit a sick person you should not speak words that discourages him or her. You must give him confidence. When the Buddha visits sick monks as described in Maha Kassapa Bhojjanga, Girimananda, suttas, Buddha reflects upon the seven faculties of enlightenment. Imagine the power of such positive words can have on a sick monk, who has renounced his lay life in search of truth.

To date these sutras are being chanted to relieve pain of many a sick a person by monks and lay people who are very strong in their Dhamma practice.

Most disabled persons specially after accidents etc. cannot stand when they are being considered as disabled. In Sri Lanka we need to learn how to relate to such persons as we have a large number of people who are disabled because of the bloody war we were engaged in the last two decades.

Next time when you encounter a person who is disabled treat him as a normal person. Rather than asking about his disability or the accident focus discussions on normal things. That give them courage and they feel accepted as they really are.

There are some diseases that are terminal. Such persons have to accept the situation and live with it. Others must make such people happy and help them accept the reality and move forwards. Give them books to read of people who have lived meaningful lives with such terminal illnesses and difficulties.

There may be many in need of various types of treatments they cannot afford, there may be many in need of various equipment such as wheel chairs, a pair of spectacles, or even a bed pan. Stop your ever busy life for a while to make such a person happy.

It can very well be you who will need the same treatment next time.

When dealing with sick some times your mind might get filled with a little joy that you are of course healthy. Be careful that is mana or your ego in action. It is natural to feel like that. But as you can imagine it is not a skilful thought. You should not entertain such negative thoughts.

Mental sicknesses are not so easy to recognize and even to treat as the physical ailments. You do not have to be a train counseller or a psychiatric to help a mentally sick person. It can be your co-worker, your family member earning for a kind word, patient listening to a problem. Never rush and ignore. They may be life saving moments only if you care to listen.

Once a manager in a company saw a co-worker with swollen eyes. He just asked this girl what was wrong. Almost in tears she asked.

"Sir, can I speak with you"

Manager called her to his cubical and listened to this girl. Whose mother had become seriously ill after hearing that her boyfriend has given her up even after having all preparation work done for the engagement. The manager did not do anything. He could not offer any material support or a solution. But that empathetic listening was a major relief for that girl. For once she felt there is still hope in life. If we cannot find a little moment from our lives for a deserving human being, where are we going.

As the Zen saying goes; "Listen to sound of the pine trees when no wind blows" look for those who are most silent around you for they may be crying loudest in their hearts.

More you those who are sick whether physically or otherwise more you will understand the true nature of life. The Impermanence, Un satisfactory nature of life and the Sole less ness. When they become your own realizations rather than intellectual understandings you will be free from suffering yourself.

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