Treasuring
Borrowed Time
By Chyleglat
Thomas Chan
On 25th February
2001, after attending a buffet dinner in conjunction with the launching
of the CNet portal in Malaysia, I came down with high fever after eating
some food that caused an allergic reaction. The fever persisted even after
consulting my doctor and after taking strong antibiotics. In this crucial
moment, I chanted hours of Daimoku for my fever to subside.
On the fourth
day, the fever persisted and, after abundant Daimoku, I asked my doctor
to refer me to a specialist. He referred Dr. Chan FC, a physician consultant
at Subang Jaya Medical Center.
Dr. Chan FC
attended me with depth and detail. He referred me to another specialist,
Dr. Peter Ng (a urologist) due to my serious infection. Dr. Peter Ng admitted
me into the hospital on the same day. The fever remained high. I went through
series of test such as ultrasound scanning, EKG, X-ray etc. The tests showed
no sign of damage to the major organs except that the liver had a patch
of infection. The testing showed that my liver enzyme was at 1800 level
(normal 65). The specialists could not determine the type of virus/bacteria
causing my fever. Because of this they could not administer the correct
antibiotics to fight against the virus/bacteria.
Dr. Chan referred
me to Dr. Ng SC, a blood specialist. Dr. Ng put me on a series of antibiotics.
A liver specialist, Dr. Wong, was called in, to determine the extent of
liver infection that was caused by the high fever.
I went through
more testing for HIV, Dengue, Malaria, JE, etc. All these tests proved
negative. My fever was categorized as "Fever of Unknown Origin." Dr. Ng
SC managed to bring my fever back to normal. Dr. Ng SC, reluctantly (due
to my persisting calls to be discharged), finally discharged me when the
enzyme in my liver came down to 309. I was put on oral antibiotics for
the next 2 weeks. The last follow up check-up showed my liver enzyme came
down to 87 and my body temperature is back to normal. My sugar level came
back to normal. During the peak of my fever, the sugar level in my body
is 18 and I become a diabetic patient. I was on insulin during my stay
in the hospital.
The doctors
told me that my case was discussed amongst them daily. Dr. Ng SC revealed
that I am lucky to have been admitted in time, as the virus in my blood
system almost broke down my body systems, which can result in death.
I realize that
years of continuous faith and practice, have given me wisdom at the crucial
moment, and the benefit to have these dedicated, sincere and caring doctors
and nurses which saved me from death.
I have taken
faith in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and involved myself in Gakkai activities
for the past 20 years. While I was in the hospital, I chanted abundant
Daimoku with my wife. Each time when I put 100% effort into the chanting,
my fever got worst. Fortunately, all those years of faith, practice, and
study, enabled me to understand the working of devilish functions within
me. These devilish functions were trying to prevent me from attaining absolute
happiness. I knew that I must not give up and continued to chant lots of
Daimoku no matter what.
Although death
was staring at me, I continue to chant and do daily gongyo. I also did
a lot of reflecting during my chanting. I realized that for the past few
years, I was not dedicatedly and sincerely contributing to Gakkai activities
and the members' happiness. If death is unavoidable, I have to accept without
fear and I continue to chant until my last breath so that I can reborn
in a Gakkai family and continue to practice and devote myself to the happiness
of Gakkai members. I prayed sincerely to the Gohonzon that if my mission
is not over, I need to extend my life so that I can pay back the debts
of gratitude to the Law, Soka Gakkai, and its members. I treasure my life
moment-to-moment, living on "borrowed time" and devoting my faith to Nichiren
Daishonin's Buddhism and being sincerely dedicated to Gakkai activities
and its members' happiness. Life is precious and has to be treasured.
Ironically during
my hospitalization, my sister visited me and massaged my bloated stomach.
The following day she came with a bottle of water. She said she had been
chanting to the Buddha (a Hinayana Buddhist sect) and asked me to drink
the water for my recovery. She even said that all Buddha are the same.
Not to offend her (she had not visited me in 20 years), I gave her a weary
smile. When she left, the bottle of water was on the table. When my wife
arrived seeing the bottle of water, she asked me whether I am going to
drink it. I looked at her in amusement and I assured her that I am not
going to drink it. I told her if I do, I would not be practicing true Buddhism
because I will be believing that the Gohonzon is outside myself.
From all of
this I understood that at a crucial moment, many devils will appear in
many forms to stop me or sway me from continuing practicing Nichiren Daishonin's
Buddhism. With perseverance in faith in this Buddhism and chanting lots
of Daimoku we can emerge victorious against the devilish functions inherent
in our lives.
I would like
to dedicate my appreciation and thank to my lovely wife, Josephine Leong,
who was with me throughout the ordeal by caring and motivating me to chant
abundant Daimoku. This appreciation also goes to my three sons who had
chanted abundant Daimoku also for my recovery.
A special thanks
and appreciation to SGM Selangor Honbu Chief Johnny Ng, my S3 Honbu chief
Mr. Steven Chee, Chapter 6-USJ 2 District Chief Vincent Leong, and S1 Honbu
Chief Mr. Loke Chee Kong. They are the ones who frequently visited me at
the hospital and constantly kept in touch with me, expressing concern over
my health and at the same time giving me timely encouragement in faith.
Also my thanks
and appreciation is dedicated to my Chapter 7, Chapter, District, Han leaders
of the four divisions and all the members who have visited me and held
Daimoku sessions for my quick recovery. Also the same appreciation and
thanks to Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 leaders, who visited and held chanting
sessions for my full recovery.
A personal thanks
and appreciation to Dr. Ng of USJ (personal friend, fellow Gakkai member
and a General Practitioner) who was in constant contact with Dr. Ng CS
of SJMC, on my status of sickness and briefing and assuring my wife.
Without all
your sincerity, I would not able to pull through the crisis. I am sincerely
indebted by all your compassion and encouragement. I will treasure it.
In January 2001,
my wisdom urged me to buy a health and medical insurance for my whole family.
I never realized a healthy person like me, would end up in a hospital.
It was fortunate that the day of my admission, the insurance policy had
come into effect. My medical bills came up to RM15,000.00 (about $4,000)
which I could not afford without an insurance policy. I waited for 3 hours
for my claims to be approved by the insurance company. While waiting for
its approval and fearing the insurance claims will be declined due to technicalities
of the sickness, I chanted lots of Daimoku praying for the claims to be
approved. Without payment, I could not be discharge from hospital. After
three hours, the claim was approved and I was discharged on March 13.
I was on medical
leave for two weeks after I was released. My body was weak and I could
not go anywhere, so I stayed at home. The hours were long and to kill the
boredom, I switched between chanting Daimoku, reading the Gosho, and reading
President Ikeda's guidance. I read the Gosho slowly, trying to understand
the Gosho and its links to my daily life and my sickness. It is the first
time I put myself into reading the Gosho and find it interesting and meaningful.
There is so much to learn from it. "The Four Debts of Gratitude" was my
favorite Gosho during the two weeks of medical leave. President Ikeda's
guidance encouraged and motivated me further to understand the practice
and the mission I have to undertake as a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin.
I discovered that study is very important to our practice and that goes
hand-in-hand with the other two practices. Now I put at least 20 minutes
a day into study. Attending Gakkai activities, study lectures, home visits,
shakubuku and participating in discussion meetings further enhances our
understanding of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and the role of Soka Gakkai.
My sickness
brought me to another phase of life and understanding of Nichiren Daishonin's
Buddhism and the Soka Gakkai. Without such an occurrence, I would never
have had the opportunity and good fortune to realize and appreciate the
importance of this Buddhism and the compassion of President Ikeda and Soka
Gakkai.
Now, I treasure
the importance of my life and, with the "borrowed time," I am resolved
to dedicate myself to the happiness of Gakkai members and will emphasize
dialogue as the way to do shakubuku. I am resolved to never leave the Soka
Gakkai or abandon faith in Nichiren Daishonin no matter what happens.
Chyleglat Thomas
Chan
Assistant Chapter
Chief
Chapter 7,
Honbu 3
Soka Gakkai
Malaysia
Selangor Branch
April 20, 2001
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