Question: Is it appropriate to pray to Amitabha Buddha for help in getting better? I wouldn't think it appropriate to pray for worldly blessings like wealth or success, but for something that is so intense and life-crippling that the pain I sometimes long to end the pain by ending my life, and thus end my chance to cultivate for who knows how long, I feel that maybe it's appropriate. What do you think about this? The frustrating thing is that in every other way I'm healthier now than at any other time in my life.
One positive is that I do have plenty of time for focusing on the chanting, and the vulnerability of this body and life, that is ever apparent now, is a great motivator. So it's not all bad, for sure. But I often feel that I need a miracle. So should I pray to Amitabha Buddha for help on this?
Response: I believe it appropriate to ask Amitabha to help you and to help all those in suffering, including those who you have harmed in the past. A sense of regret for all the harm we have done and a sincere apology can help to reduce our current suffering. As you are asking for help, think of how you would be able to help others if you were well. In this way, you're not asking for help for just yourself, but for those you in turn can help.
The painful reality is that the suffering we feel is the result of suffering we caused others. Not becoming angry, even with ourselves or for the conditions that lead to our suffering, will help us repay the karmic debts we currently find ourselves owing,
When in pain, I know it is very difficult to focus on practice. But the irony here is that with pain, we are less attached to this body and more anxious to go to the Pure Land.
So the very source of our suffering can also become the source of our liberation.