Journey Through Cancer – Chapter 17 – Dharma in Action

In Buddhism the three foundation practices are dâna (giving), sîla (morality), bhâvana (meditation). Furthermore, a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism in particular is its emphasis on loving-kindness as an essential prerequisite to enlightenment. Tuesday, I was the focus of loving-kindness, the recipient of dâna (giving).
One of my vajra brothers from our Dharma center drove me to my radiation therapy appointment. This in itself was a great kindness. With the great degree of fatigue that I have been experiencing, it is a very great relief to have someone else drive.
This is also the day of the week when the appointment runs the longest because they take X-rays before the actual radiation and I have to see the doctor before leaving. Adding to the time today particularly, I had to get a prescription for side effects processed in addition to the usual administrative matters. Through it all, my vajra brother demonstrated great patience. Furthermore, he was not overwhelmed by the whole environment of such an immense facility as this VA Hospital.
After this was all finished, we went to Kalieshia Tea Lounge for my usual after-treatment treat of Hot Spicy Chai for which he insisted on paying. Not only that, he took me to lunch at a Thai restaurant where I had Pad Thai which was delicious although the side effects of my treatments kept me from finishing it. To my friend's credit, his great generosity of spirit kept me from feeling uncomfortable taking half my meal home in a “take-out” container. I have to confess that this made an excellent snack later. These “snacks” or more accurately “mini-meals” are necessary to maintain my nutrition and keep my weight stable when I am faced with nausea if I eat to much in a single meal.
My vajra brother had the opportunity to practice generosity, tolerance and loving-kindness. I, on the other hand, got the chance to avoid letting ego dominate or letting arrogance masquerade as self-sufficiency. If I were becoming a monk in one of the countries of Asia where Buddhism is common such as Thailand, I would daily make the alms-round, being totally dependent on the lay community for my daily sustenance. This creates conditions which are essential for the spiritual well being of a Buddhist monk. Indeed this is another dimension of benefiting not only myself but all sentient beings.