Question
Hello, Stéphane, dear Master,
First, best wishes for the New Year.
I regret that I can no longer come to the temple because of accessibility. But I often think with gratitude of the teachings I was able to receive.
Since last year, my pain has become unmanageable, so I spend my time lying down in my little hut (see photo), or in a pain clinic where they do what they can.
I still have these paroxysmal attacks, and during them something wonderful happens: consciousness detaches from the body. "I," or rather "that which observes," am aware of the body expressing its distress, but at the same time I am neutral and perfectly safe. Whatever happens, everything is fine.
However, I struggle to find this equanimity during the "small" attacks or at the beginning of the big ones. Since the people around me panic, self-hypnosis doesn't work.
Concentrating on breathing is also difficult because it becomes very jerky.
So I would like to ask you for a mantra to concentrate on during that time, a solid anchor that would help me through this difficult phase.
Thank you in advance, and take care. Best wishes,
Leen
Lgeelen
Answer from Master Kosen
THE MASTER OF HEALING
The sixth vow. I vow that, after my rebirth and attainment of Unsurpassed Perfect Awakening, those beings who are physically deficient, with imperfect senses—such as the ugly, the foolish, the blind, the deaf, the mute, the crippled, the paralyzed, the hunchbacked, the leprous, the mentally ill, or those sick in various ways—will all, upon hearing my name, regain their normal appearance and become intelligent. All their senses will be perfectly restored, and they will no longer suffer from illness.
"NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAISAJAYA-GURU-VAIDURYA-PRABHA-RAJAYA TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA TADYATHA OM BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYA SAMUDGATE SVAHA"
"Manjushri, if you see a devout man or woman suffering from illness, with a sincere heart you shall do the following for these sick people: let them stay clean by bathing frequently and rinsing their mouths; give them food, medicine, and clean water; and recite the Dharani one hundred and eight times. Then all illnesses will disappear completely. When one of them has a particular wish, they must concentrate and recite the magical formula. Then all their wishes will be fulfilled, they will be free of illness, and they will live a long life. After death, they will be reborn in a paradise without having to return to this world, and will ultimately attain Perfect Awakening. Therefore, Manjushri, if a devout man or woman prays very sincerely to the Medicine Buddha, they must always keep this magical formula in mind and never forget it."
Kosen