I wrote the below for friends who are in contact with someone, who happened to be the doctor who treated two well-known Buddhist masters just before their passing. This doctor was diagnosed with a terminal illness recently, and is having some guilt over the above….
For the doctor who is suffering from remorse in possibly conditioning the demise of the two Venerables, perhaps it is good to recall the case of Cunda in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. Cunda had, out of sincerity, offered the Buddha some truffles, but they turned out to be bad, which aggravated the Buddha’s physical condition before his passing. The Buddha however, absolved Cunda of any guilt (see passage below) – because his intentions of offering were wholly good and not at all ill. Likewise, may the doctor recall his personal good intentions to do his best to help the Venerables in the hospital. That they pass away is surely not a misgiving of his if he was simply doing what he ought to. In fact, as in Cunda’s case, he should rejoice in his merits in having had the chance to serve the Venerables one last time. May he be mindful of Amituofo. May he have peace of mind from this mindfulness. May he be reborn in Pureland.
Relieving Cunda’s Remorse
Then the Blessed One spoke to the Venerable Ananda, saying: “It may come to pass, Ananda, that someone will cause remorse to Cunda the metalworker, saying: ‘It is no gain to you, friend Cunda, but a loss, that it was from you the Tathagata took his last alms meal, and then came to his end.’ Then, Ananda, the remorse of Cunda should be dispelled after this manner: ‘It is a gain to you, friend Cunda, a blessing that the Tathagata took his last alms meal from you, and then came to his end. For, friend, face to face with the Blessed One I have heard and learned: “There are two offerings of food which are of equal fruition, of equal outcome, exceeding in grandeur the fruition and result of any other offerings of food. Which two? The one partaken of by the Tathagata before becoming fully enlightened in unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment; and the one partaken of by the Tathagata before passing into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains. By his deed the worthy Cunda has accumulated merit which makes for long life, beauty, well being, glory, heavenly rebirth, and sovereignty.”‘ Thus, Ananda, the remorse of Cunda the metalworker should be dispelled.”
From http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html
I added this advice:
1. It’s good to shift the doctor’s preoccupation with (unfounded) remorse to rejoice by reminding him of the much good he had done as a volunteer doctor.
2. It’s good to remind him that the 2 Venerables are good practitioners, such that it’s not likely that he conditioned their passing in a negative way.
3. If there is still much remorse, it’s good to remind him to nianfo (be mindful of Amituofo) as much as possible – as a practice of repentance, and for gathering peace of mind.
4. Being well known for their compassion, the 2 Venerables would want him to be well and happy.