Of Tzu Chi’s Four Missions, the one that is of greatest concern to me  is the medical mission. This is because throughout a person’s life, no  one can avoid birth, aging, illness, and death. Medical care is about  life itself; it is one of the most important aspects of life. The greatest  suffering in life is illness. Patients confide their suffering to physicians,  and physicians understand them. But when medicine cannot cure their  illnesses, physicians may also feel helplessness and other complicated  emotions. 

Illnesses are complex, and so are patients. Some ailments are not  particularly serious, yet the patients’ temperaments are difficult to  manage. Some illnesses are diagnosed accurately, yet they cannot be  cured. According to the Buddha Dharma, there is the concept of karma.  A person’s life is affected by karma; when negative karma has not run  its course, the illness will not subside. 

We can ask any physician what inspired them, and they will say, “I  wanted to save lives!” It takes truly great compassion to treat patients  and alleviate their suffering. However, being a physician is truly difficult.  As Dr. Chin-Lon Lin, the CEO of our medical mission, said, “If things are  successful, there is no reward, but if things go wrong, you are held  accountable.” Though physicians hold great hope to relieve patients’  suffering and save lives, sometimes, they truly feel helpless. 

In life, birth and death are inevitable paths we must all take. Yet people  hold onto life and fear death. In fact, there is no need to be afraid.  When we abide in the present moment, we can come and go freely.  This is especially true for those who take on Tzu Chi’s mission and walk  the Bodhisattva Path. With our direction firmly established, there is  even less need for fear. We need only remember to seize this present  life and continue to strengthen our practice of the Bodhisattva Path in  the future. 

People’s helplessness lies in the inevitability of illness and death; there is  no treatment in this world that can prevent death. Therefore, we need  good physicians and good nurses; physicians treat illnesses, and nurses  provide care. Medical science is advanced, yet no matter how advanced  it becomes, there is no cure for death. Healthcare professionals can  only do their utmost to alleviate suffering and provide spiritual support. 

Doctors and nursing Bodhisattvas all have loving hearts by nature;  studying medicine is difficult, yet they give without expecting anything  in return. In many Buddhist sutras, the Buddha is often referred to as  the “Great Medicine King” because the Buddha had awakened to the  truth and possessed supreme wisdom, which could relieve humanity’s  suffering. I have always called physicians, “Medicine Kings.” Sentient  beings have feelings, and what they fear most is illness. Illness leaves  people unable to live as they wish yet unable to die; they want to be  healthy but cannot be; they want to die but cannot—such a life is truly  a life of suffering. 

I often speak about taking inventory of the value of life. Among all  professions, is there any more valuable than being a physician? When  people are ill, they need to see physicians. Some say, “I have tried  this physician with no success, and tried that physician also with no  success; I have consulted all the famous physicians.” I always tell them,  “Success depends on the doctor’s affinity and the patient’s blessings.  See which physician you have an affinity with; if you trust them, the  medicine they prescribe will surely be effective. Even if there is still no  cure, it will at least alleviate your physical suffering. When you have  faith and trust in the physician, it is as if your illness is reduced by half.” 

In short, “having faith and acceptance” is very important. Physicians  must earn people’s trust, so that patients are willing to accept with  faith both the words they say and the medicine they prescribe. Even  if health cannot be restored, patients will still be grateful to their  physicians. 

Physicians must also be grateful for their patients’ efforts. In treating  illness, we must treat the person, and most importantly, heal the heart.  In the interaction between physician and patient, the patient must be  made to trust; when the patient has a physician to rely on, the patient  can stand on their own. Physicians should not only treat the patient’s  physical illness but also care for the patient’s heart with sincerity; this  will make treatment more effective. 

At the year-end blessing ceremony held once a year, I see everyone  diligently rehearsing every day, expressing the harmony and unity of  the entire hospital with the most reverent hearts. Watching this makes  me feel tired. Why do I feel tired? My neck becomes sore from having  to turn to the front and also to the back! The performers in front are  splendid, while those in the back are harmonious. It is deeply moving.  This can perhaps only be achieved in Tzu Chi. After nearly a hundred  days of practice, the sutra passages are deeply imprinted in their  hearts. I hope that this will be the case not only once-a-year for the  performance, but that the performers can also interact with patients  in their daily work and guide them, perhaps singing songs as a form of  spiritual healing. 

I feel that this life of mine has been very meaningful, and it brings  me great joy. I am grateful for the harmony between Medicine Kings  and Bodhisattva nurses. Although they face birth, aging, illness, and  death every day, when they gather together to delve deeply into the  Buddhist teachings, I believe that their hearts will be filled with joy.