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Story · Ajahn Brahm

The paralysed man who forgave his surgeon

As told by Ajahn Brahm in On Patience | Ajahn Brahm | 26-06-2009

1 min read

Content note: unverified details (news article as relayed)

The story — as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

there was actually an article uh which was in one of the newspapers in Singapore about a man who had an had a sort of some spinal problem and had an operation and during the operation the surgeon actually dropped an instrument on his spine and paralyzed him it's a surgical accident what would you do if that happened to you in Australia would you sue the doctor this guy said I forgive you it's an accident never mind even though he was paralyzed he forgave the doctor and had no anger or ill will and so not hardly being able to walk just to be able to stagger with incredible pain he goes to the hospital every week to actually to to help some of the medical students learn about these difficult conditions like paralysis he offers his time there for free without a complaint just getting on in his life not with any negativity but learning how to be with his So-Cal disability and this is an important thing in life a person could do that and he's inspiring so many people apparently simply by the fact that something terrible happened to him and instead of being negative about it instead of complaining about instead of getting a a lawyer and suing this doctor he's learning how to be with his disability to embrace it and use it for something wonderful to inspire other people on how we can live a much more beautiful life without complaining so much

▶ Watch Ajahn Brahm tell it from 15:38 (to 17:33)

A reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

As a Singapore paper reported it, a surgical accident left a man paralysed, and instead of suing he forgave the surgeon. Now he struggles to the hospital each week to help medical students learn. Whether to seek redress is a personal choice. What stands out is his mind: the body may hurt, but resentment is a second wound we can decline.

In brief (our summary)

As reported in a Singapore newspaper article someone sent him: during spinal surgery a surgeon drops an instrument on a man's spine and paralyses him. Instead of suing, he says, “I forgive you, it's an accident.” Barely able to stagger, in great pain, he goes to the hospital every week to help medical students learn about paralysis, for free and without complaint — inspiring many.

Teaching point

The body may hurt, but the mind need not; physical pain is one thing, mental suffering is another.

When this story may help

Themes

Source & credit

Told by Ajahn Brahm in On Patience | Ajahn Brahm | 26-06-2009 · 2009-07-07 · ▶ watch from 15:38 to 17:33 · Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Caption notes: YouTube auto-captions: unpunctuated, words left exactly as captioned.

The narrative is Ajahn Brahm's own telling, quoted from the talk captions. The summary and reflection are Being Mindful Stories's editorial notes. Please credit the teacher and link the original talk. Markdown version

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