Temple’s terminal wisdom: Guiding lives and lighting paths

An admirable initiative has been launched in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a temple is offering guidance to individuals with terminal illnesses, helping them lead fulfilling lives and share their wisdom with others before their time comes.

Situated in the Chok Chai district, the temple equips these individuals with the tools they need to accept their mortality and live out their remaining days peacefully, enriching the community with their unique insights.

Dr Suphol Tatiyanuntaporn, Chief Health Officer of Nakhon Ratchasima, highlighted that being diagnosed with an incurable disease does not immediately confine a patient to bed. However, he noted that many people view such a diagnosis as a death sentence, which harms their mental health, leading to premature physical decline and an accelerated approach towards the final stage of life.

Phra Achan Saenprat Panyakhamo, the abbot of Pa Non-Sa-at temple in the Chok Chai district, advocates for the power of giving. He firmly believes that these patients can continue to share their experiences and wisdom to the benefit of others. According to him, the act of giving can also have a therapeutic effect on the patients themselves.

Suttipong Vasusopapol, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office (NHCO), praised the temple for its pivotal role in managing the psychological impact of terminal illness on patients. He encouraged other temples to adopt this model of end-of-life patient care, which integrates Buddhist dhamma practices with physical and mental care, providing comfort to patients till their last breath.

The temple’s offerings include long-term care, palliative care, and end-of-life care, which help patients come to terms with their future.

“This is a good example for the rest of society to become a really civilised society in which people are willing to take care of one another.”

Saengdao Ari, Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Social Development and Human Security Office, echoed these sentiments. Her office has been collaborating with Wat Pa Non Sa-at towards the common goal of providing adequate care to individuals in the final stage of their lives.

She stressed that government healthcare facilities often struggle to cater to all such patients due to capacity constraints, necessitating the involvement of temples.

“Our wish now is that more of such patient care service is made available elsewhere, too.”

In Nakhon Ratchasima alone, she reported that over 190,000 patients with terminal illnesses are awaiting admission to facilities offering similar care, reported Bangkok Post