Tag: Cancer

From Despair to a New Life: How Vegetarianism and the Dharma Gave Me a Second Chance

linda changLeave a comment

In 2019, my world collapsed. I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma—one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers—at a middle-to-late stage. After a consultation with several medical experts, I was told that even if I underwent surgery, I would only have three or four months left to live. To survive six or seven months would be nothing short of a miracle.

Following the doctors’ advice, I went through surgery. Afterward, however, I made the conscious decision to forgo all other cancer treatments. I knew I had medical insurance that could cover much of the cost, but I questioned whether aggressive treatments would truly give me dignity and quality of life in my final days. Chemotherapy, radiation, and similar methods often do more harm than good, damaging the organs and leaving patients to die not from the cancer itself, but from the effects of over-treatment.

I also thought about something else: if my time was truly so short, I wanted to preserve my remaining healthy organs so that they could be donated to those in need.

When I returned home from the hospital, my health declined rapidly. Every day I lay in bed in pain, but I did not allow myself to sink into despair. Instead, I chose gratitude. I was grateful that when I opened my eyes, I could see the rising sun outside my window. Grateful for each breath of fresh air. Grateful simply for being alive in that moment.

Still, I asked myself: Was my life really destined to end in just a few short months? The answer within me was a resounding No. I wanted to create a miracle.

What gave me this strength was my son. My sudden illness had devastated him, and I could feel how my suffering dragged him into deep sadness. At that moment, I told myself I must rise up—for him, so that he would still have a mother, and also for other patients enduring the same pain, to show them that hope is possible. If doctors had already declared that I had no chance, why not prove with my own body how powerful the human spirit can be? Why not find a way to live with dignity, with quality, and with the least burden?

And then, something incredible happened.

In April 2020, my husband prepared a feast for me with all kinds of fish and meat. Strangely, the moment I looked at it, I felt an overwhelming discomfort in my heart. That very day, I decided to give up meat completely. From then on, I have been a vegetarian, and I know this will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Less than a month later, it was time for my medical review. To my surprise, all my test results had improved dramatically. Even though that same month I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my father, my condition did not worsen. At first, my family opposed my vegetarian choice, but as they watched my health improve, they slowly came to accept it. This only strengthened my resolve. Three months later, the test results were even better. Along with vegetarianism, I began exercising moderately each day and keeping a positive mindset. After six months, all my medical indicators had returned to normal.

Today, apart from being a little weaker in stamina compared to before, I am doing very well. When patients or their families reach out to me online and ask how I got better, I tell them honestly: “A positive mindset + positive energy + vegetarian diet + moderate exercise.”

But vegetarianism gave me more than just a second chance at life. It opened the door for me to encounter the true Dharma.

One day at a banquet, my vegetarianism led me to meet a Dharma sister who had followed H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for many years. She introduced me to Buddhism, giving me the precious opportunity to listen to the Dharma discourses of the Buddha. Through studying the Dharma, I came to understand the law of cause and effect and the deeper meaning of being vegetarian. I realized that it is not merely about food, but about repenting for the harm I once caused to living beings, cultivating compassion for all sentient life, and seeking self-redemption through transforming karma.

I am no longer just a “pure vegetarian” who avoids even milk and eggs. I have become a practitioner who genuinely cherishes and protects all beings. My heart has grown softer, kinder, and more compassionate.

Gratitude fills me every day—gratitude to vegetarianism, which pulled me back from the edge of death; gratitude to the Dharma, which allowed me to encounter the true teachings of the Tathagata; gratitude for the miracles that have appeared throughout my life whenever I was in despair. That is why my online name is “After Darkness, Light.”

Looking back, many people used to say, “How could such a good person like you get this disease?” I once thought I was a good person too. But was I really? Before learning the Dharma, I would kill mosquitoes, flies, and ants without hesitation. I once had an abortion. Only after learning the true Dharma did I realize how heavy those karmic debts were. And what about my past lives? How much more karma have I carried forward?

Now, I understand: the suffering I faced in this life is not unfair—it is the natural result of my past actions. But how fortunate I am, despite all of this, to have encountered the true Dharma and to have a holy teacher guiding me. This is an incredible blessing, one I owe entirely to the compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions.

The reason I am writing this article is because, in a Buddhist study group of more than 400 people, I saw so many “requests for dedication” every day and so much suffering. I felt most of them don’t have the correct view and concepts of Buddhism. That made me want to share my experience, in hopes it may help others. In those lists of dedication requests, I saw too much misfortune and pain—patients with terminal illnesses, those crying out in agony, those with depression and anxiety, those struck by sudden misfortunes, and so on. It made me deeply sad: sentient beings suffer so much! People in this life fall ill or face hardships of all kinds, but these are all karmic consequences ripened from the many unwholesome deeds done over countless lifetimes or in this very life. Each of us must have deep faith in cause and effect. We must understand that sickness and adversity are manifestations of our own karma, and also warnings—opportunities for us to repent and correct our wrongs.

“There is no one else to rely on but ourselves.” What magic cure exists in this world? The only true cure is repentance and cultivation! For patients who request dedication, whether they themselves, their families, or their friends, if they wish for a miracle or at least some relief, then apart from avoiding over-treatment, the only way is for the patient themselves to give rise to deep repentance and truly reform. Therefore, we must learn Buddhism, follow the teachings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: commit no evil, practice all that is good, strictly uphold the precepts, and follow the teachings in our practice.

All that I have written here is based on my own personal experience and feelings. As for the Dharma itself, the standard must always be the teachings personally expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/08/20/from-despair-to-a-new-life-how-vegetarianism-and-the-dharma-gave-me-a-second-chance/

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/AmK9EoE_axAUP1xLGP-Jiw

The Blessings of Faith: A Daughter’s Journey Through Her Mother’s Illness

linda changLeave a comment

My name is Li Xueping, and this is a story about love, faith, and the incredible blessings that come from practicing true Buddhism. It is a story that centers around my mother, Yang Yanshu, a gentle and kind-hearted woman who is now over ninety years old. Despite her age, she continues to inspire us with her warmth, frugality, and deep devotion to her family.

My mother has been a Buddhist for many years. Though she is illiterate, she memorized and recites the Heart Sutra daily with great sincerity. In our home, we’ve always honored Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, and her faith has been a quiet but powerful force in our lives.

In October 2003, my sister and I accompanied our mother to listen to the Dharma discourses of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III for fourteen consecutive days. During that time, my mother experienced a profound transformation—both physically and mentally. She was radiant with Dharma joy and gained deep faith in the supreme teachings. From then on, she diligently listened to discourses, practiced Buddhism daily, and her health remained remarkably stable. It was clear to us: the blessings of true Dharma had uplifted her life.

In June 2017, our lives were shaken when my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer at a reputable hospital. She was in her eighties at the time, and the news was devastating. We decided against surgery and opted for conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine to minimize her suffering.

My siblings and I turned entirely to Buddhist practice. We recited The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, performed lamp offerings, and conducted life-releasing ceremonies. My mother, too, chanted Buddha’s names with devotion and repented for past wrongdoings. She often reflected with remorse: “I regret killing so many chickens in the past just for food. I committed great wrongs by taking lives.”

We knew from the Buddha’s teachings that killing brings severe karmic consequences, and while our efforts could not undo the past, we hoped to ease her suffering through sincere repentance and practice.

Wanting to seek deeper help, I applied for a U.S. visa and, in September 2017, traveled to the United States to personally report my mother’s situation to the great Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III. The Buddha responded with immense compassion: “I will perform a Dharma practice to bless her.”

I will never forget that moment. The Buddha, who treats all beings with equal kindness regardless of wealth or status, blessed my mother. Monastic disciples also provided her with precious Black Treasure Pills. Miraculously, her pain vanished, her complexion became rosy, and she regained peace and strength. The power of true Dharma had once again revealed itself.

An Unexpected Crisis and a Miraculous Return

In June 2018, while I was visiting my daughter in Belgium, I received an urgent call—my mother was critically ill. We feared I might not see her again. I flew back as quickly as possible, praying for blessings throughout the journey.
When I arrived home, I was astonished—my mother had survived.

My sister later told me that just before losing consciousness, my mother cried out:

“Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, save me!”

Soon after, the ambulance arrived and took her to the hospital. After seven days of treatment, she was miraculously revived.

Shortly after, I faced a difficult decision. I had already planned to attend the Dharma Assembly Honoring the Holy Birthday of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III in the United States. With my mother still recovering, and family responsibilities weighing on me, I hesitated. My husband even called me “unfilial” for wanting to leave.

But deep in my heart, I knew: this was the most important aspiration of my life. I prayed silently, asking for the Buddha’s blessings to keep my mother safe during my absence.

I attended the Great Life-Releasing Dharma Assembly at the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Culture and Art Museum on June 21, 2018, and the next day, the rare and magnificent Holy Heavenly Lake Dharma Assembly. Surrounded by thousands of disciples from around the world, we chanted the holy name of the Buddha in unison. It was a moment of unimaginable spiritual joy.

On June 25, I had the honor of meeting Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III once again. I tearfully reported my mother’s condition, and the Buddha, in His great compassion, smiled and said, “Haha, good!”
That moment filled me with peace and hope.

When I returned home, I found my mother in excellent condition. Despite her diagnosis, she had never experienced unbearable pain, never lost her spirit, and continued her daily Buddhist recitations as usual. During Chinese New Year, even our relatives remarked in amazement: “She doesn’t look like someone with cancer at all!”

Her strength, peace, and recovery were nothing short of miraculous. We owe everything to the compassionate blessings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the authentic Tathagata Dharma.

Through this journey, I have come to understand the impermanence of life, the inescapability of karma, and the painful cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. No one can escape their karmic debts. But through true Buddhist practice—guided by the teachings of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III—we can walk a path toward healing, liberation, and lasting peace.

May all beings awaken to the true Dharma, cherish the opportunity to learn from a living Buddha, and attain the freedom of body and mind through genuine practice.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/07/15/the-blessings-of-faith-a-daughters-journey-through-her-mothers-illness/

Source: https://dharma-hhdorjechangbuddhaiii.org/a-mother-in-her-nineties-overcomes-the-pain-of-cancer-through-the-blessings-of-the-h-h-dorje-chang-buddha-iii/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII #Buddha #Dharma

CytoMed, a Singapore Biotech, Revolutionizes Cancer Treatment Using Donor Immune Cells

linda changLeave a comment

Ethan Stone Contributor

In Singapore, one biotech company is changing how we approach cancer treatment. CytoMed Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GDTC), just launched its ANGELICA clinical trial, to fundamentally change how we make cancer treatments available to patients worldwide. Building on the success of CAR T-cell therapy in treating blood cancers, they’re taking things to the next level by tackling a broader range of cancers while making the whole process quicker, easier, and more affordable for patients. 

“Think of it as training a versatile army of super-soldiers to fight cancer,” explains Peter Choo, Chairman of CytoMed. “Traditional CAR T-cell therapy takes soldiers from the patient’s own body, but these soldiers are often weakened because the patient has already been through multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Instead, we’re recruiting healthy soldiers from disease-free, well donors and equipping them with special targeting systems to hunt down cancer cells.” 

Manufacturing cells for Singapore’s ANGELICA trial in CytoMed’s cGMP lab

This “targeting system” is an artificial protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that helps immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells. While current CAR T-cell therapies require extracting and modifying a patient’s own cells – a process that can take weeks and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars – CytoMed’s approach uses healthy donor cells that could be available “off-the-shelf” when unrelated patients need them simplifying logistics. 

Another innovation is its versatile platform to weaponize the immune cells. Different targeting systems can be added to equip these soldiers with combinational therapies such as antibodies. 

The Power of Rare Immune Cells 

At the heart of CytoMed’s breakthrough is something extraordinary – a rare warrior in our immune system called gamma-delta T cells. These hidden gems are like needles in a haystack, making up just a tiny fraction – less than 5% – of all T cells flowing through our blood. But don’t let their rarity fool you.  

These cells are nature’s own cancer-fighting specialists, and here’s what makes them really special: when transferred from a donor to a patient, they’re incredibly smart about their attacks, targeting cancer while leaving healthy tissue alone. The company has developed proprietary technology to multiply these rare cells in the laboratory, making them viable for treatment.

The contrast with traditional cell therapies is striking: while current treatments are like custom-building a car for each patient – a time-consuming and expensive process – CytoMed’s approach is focused on having treatments ready “off-the-shelf,” similar to cars available at a dealership. This could make treatment both more timely and significantly more cost-effective for patients. 

The ANGELICA Trial: A New Hope 

CytoMed’s potent hybrid of the human body’s two immune cells, NK & T cells, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

The ANGELICA trial, now treating patients in Singapore’s National University Hospital, represents a major step forward in cancer treatment. The trial focuses on various types of cancer that are particularly challenging to treat, including solid tumors and involves patients whose cancers have proven resistant to standard treatments. 

Charting New Territory in Cancer Therapy 

What makes CytoMed’s approach truly remarkable is how far-reaching it could be. While current CAR T-cell treatments have been a game-changer for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, they’ve hit a wall when it comes to other types of cancer. That’s where CytoMed is breaking new ground – their technology shows promise in fighting more than 20 different types of cancer, from breast to lung, liver to ovaries. 

This isn’t just a win for cancer treatment – it’s a proud moment for Singapore’s biotech scene. Born in 2018 from Singapore’s prestigious A*STAR research agency, CytoMed is showing the world that Asian biotech companies aren’t just following trends – they’re setting them. They’re writing a new chapter in cancer treatment innovation. 

But they’re not stopping there. The company is pushing boundaries even further by developing a powerful new weapon against cancer. They’re creating a hybrid cell that combines the best of both worlds – Natural Killer (NK) cells and gamma delta T cells, complete with all their natural cancer-fighting tools. Think of it as creating the ultimate cancer-fighting super cell by merging two of our body’s most efficient defenders. 

Beyond Cancer: Expanding into Longevity Research 

Looking ahead, CytoMed is already exploring ways to expand the use of its technology. In a strategic move that broadens its therapeutic reach, the company acquired a licensed cord blood bank in September 2024, giving them access to naive cord blood – a rare and expensive raw material crucial for developing new treatments. Through its subsidiary LongevityBank, the company plans to research and develop cord blood-derived cells that could treat autoimmune diseases and promote longevity, extending their impact beyond cancer treatment. 

This expansion into regenerative medicine opens up new possibilities for treating a wider range of diseases and conditions. The availability of cord blood provides CytoMed with valuable resources for developing innovative therapies that could address multiple medical challenges. 

A Global Vision for Accessible Treatment 

The company is actively pursuing international collaborations to develop new therapeutic approaches while working to make treatments more affordable and accessible to patients worldwide. Their focus on cost-effective manufacturing and efficient production processes could help bring advanced cell therapies within reach of more patients globally. These cells are inexpensive, streamlined for manufacturing, and easy to ship internationally while retaining high cell viability. 

If successful, their “off-the-shelf” approach to cell therapy could represent a major advance in cancer treatment, potentially offering hope to patients who have exhausted other options. With the ANGELICA trial now underway, this marks an important step forward in making advanced cancer treatments more accessible to those who need them most. As CytoMed continues to innovate and expand its therapeutic offerings, it’s positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in personalized targeted medicine, one where cutting-edge treatments are both effective and accessible to patients around the world. 

For more information about CytoMed and its unique approach to cancer treatment, visit https://www.cytomed.sg/ 

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2025/01/06/cytomed-a-singapore-biotech-revolutionizes-cancer-treatment-using-donor-immune-cells/77355978007/

The Story of My Rebirth

linda changLeave a comment


The Story of My Rebirth

By Buddhist Disciple Shengmei

In 2014, I was diagnosed with stage 2 spleen cancer and had the surgery performed at the University of Taiwan Hospital. In June the same year, I started chemotherapy. Sister Qinyi Zhou came to visit me in September that year and brought me a copy of the book The Buddha Speaks on Curing the Hemorrhoids Sutra. I chanted the sutra continuously for one month and I noticed the dark brown nails on my hands – the side effect of chemotherapy – had started to fade. It was unbelievable!

　　During that time, sister Zhou and Buddhist brother Sangdun Chuba Rinpoche frequently visited me and even helped me to begin to set up an altar and purchased all the necessary items to offer to the Buddhas. I also invited Buddhist brother Jijia Cuoren Rinpoche and many other Buddhist brothers and sisters to come to my house for the purification ceremony and beseeching blessings.  I then set up my dharma-listening center.  I requested recorded Dharma from International Buddhism Sangha Association in order to promote Buddha Dharma and benefit others. After that, miraculously my symptoms of peeling skins on my hands and feet and the mouth ulcer that was seriously affecting my eating gradually disappeared. What was even harder to believe was that the MRI done in November 2014 showed that the cancer had vanished. Cancer marker went from 67 to 46 in about a little more than 2 months – The terrifying spleen cancer just disappeared! I had never thought that chanting Buddhist Sutras and setting up a Dharma-listening center would have such powerful blessing on me!

　　Seeing my progress, sister Zhou encouraged me to take the examination to become a Master of Dharma-Listening Sessions so that I could promote the correct views and understanding of the Buddha dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III to others. It would be the best way to benefit others and carry out the Bodhicitta. In so doing, I would receive even more blessings, she said. I did not disappoint her and successfully passed the exam in March 2015.

　　A few months after that, the doctor who was in charge of my chemotherapy, Dr. Yang, suddenly announced that my treatment should be stopped ahead of schedule ( normally it has to last for more than a year) This had never happened before! So, my confidence increased and I was even more diligent in listening to the Buddha Dharma and reading Buddhist books. I consistently rain or shine went to the group cultivation sessions held at Holy Dharma Compassion and Kindness Association.  I cultivate myself and learn from the Buddha with a heart of repentance and gratitude. On September 21, 2016 my primary doctor, Professor Tian told me “no more doctor’s visits, just periodical rechecks in charged by Dr. Yang.”  So I only need another doctor’s visit! What a great relief! I felt like a burden of rock has shifted off my shoulders.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

　　During the past two years, if it was not because of the blessings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, if I did not study Buddhism and cultivate myself, if there was no help and encouragement from the Buddhist brothers and sisters , I would not have recovered from cancer and I would not have been able to travel around the world and gone to social functions! In contrast, my husband who had brain cancer and was very stubborn and did not want to believe in Buddhism died in May 2015.

　　I transform my grief to power and strongly believe in the law of cause and effect.  I will continue to study Buddhism, listen to the recorded Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, cultivate my words, thoughts, and behaviors, promote kindness and eradicate evil, and strive to correspond with the Buddha! Here, I would like to thank all the members of the medical team at Taiwan University who have treated me, all my relatives and family members, my Buddhist brothers and sisters for their kindness and care. They have made it possible for me to cultivate and learn from the Buddha! Amitabha! 

The Story of My Rebirth

link:https://peacelilysite.com/2022/09/05/the-story-of-my-rebirth/

#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII#DorjeChangBuddha#Caner#Surgey#HolyDharmaCompassionandKindnessAssociation