Whether to Have an Operation

Whether to Have an Operation

Date Posted:
October 2005

A student who had broken her back in a car accident wrote to Rinpoche asking for his advice as to whether or not to have an operation. Medical opinion was divided on whether she should have the operation or not.

Dear Gerry,
I hope this finds you well. According to my observations, the operation has a small benefit. However, having the operation as well doing the following pujas would be good. These are the things that should be done prior to the operation:

  • Namgyal tongchu
  • 16 Arhant puja. Please pray to the 16 Arhants for quick success.
  • The naga incense puja needs to be done at least twice by the geshe at your Dharma center.
  • Please practice Lion-face Dakini daily until you are better.

Visualize doing prostrations to the Thirty-five Buddhas five times each day. If you can, hold your hands in the mudra of prostration while you recite the names, and visualize making the prostrations with hundreds of bodies.

They should not to do the operation on the day "la." The geshe at your Dharma center can check this for you.

You can request the 16 Arhant puja to be done by Nalanda Monastery and you can request Namgyal tongchu from Kopan Monastery. In both cases, please explain clearly your situation and what the operation is for.