Sickness and Health

Sickness and Health

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receives thousands of letters every year from people seeking guidance on a variety of issues. His advice is made available here in the Online Advice Book, so it may be of benefit to others.

Many of the people who write to Rinpoche have health problems and are suffering from illnesses or chronic pain. This topic contains hundreds of advices on a wide range of illnesses, from arthritis to stroke. Rinpoche points out that illness can actually persuade us to practice, to do something worthwhile with our lives to benefit ourselves and others.

Pain is very powerful purification of negative karma, and Rinpoche advises that we can use it to develop compassion for others. In this way, every time we experience pain it brings us closer to enlightenment.

Rinpoche looks at the importance of healing and transforming the mind, and he explains how to use our sickness on the path through tong-len, the meditation practice of generating bodhicitta by taking on the suffering of others and giving them happiness. He also advises practices for infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Ebola, and he relates the amazing story of a woman cured of AIDS after performing specific spiritual practices.

Please Note: The information provided on the LYWA website is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or health care professional. Always contact your health care professional if you have health concerns. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of information on this website.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave these pieces of advice to individuals with specific illnesses, and the advice is not intended to replace medical treatment. Nevertheless, Rinpoche has suggested that LYWA makes the advice available, to give a general idea of how we can help others. Experience has shown that when some people have employed Rinpoche's advice, it has helped their situation. Rinpoche has said that when people see a piece of practice advice and have a strong feeling to try it, this is the Buddha’s action guiding the person.

Find links to all the main topics on the Online Advice Book home page. You can also click on the links listed on the right, or go to our Teachings menu to refine your search.