A passage to Tibetan fellow villagers - Sodaji Khenpo talks about the novel coronavirus pneumonia

Pay tribute to the Tathagata, provide offerings, correct knowledge, clear practice, good deeds, worldly understanding, supreme men to control their husbands, celestial masters, Buddhas, and World-Honored Medicine Masters, Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata!

Here, I briefly talk about the recent novel coronavirus pneumonia.

It has been a month or two since the onset of this disease.Many people at home and abroad are very clear about the importance of prevention, and I don’t need to introduce it too much.However, as a Tibetan monk, reminding fellow villagers in remote areas in Tibetan may be helpful to a very small number of people, so I will briefly say this:

1. Some practitioners or Tibetans do not usually have the habit of watching news or TV, so they do not know much about this disease.Now is a special period. Experts and doctors on different platforms such as TV and the Internet are explaining the epidemic, so everyone should "open their eyes and take out their ears" (a Tibetan saying) and learn this information very carefully.If you can follow the news simultaneously, you will have a better understanding of the disease.Some people who do not have language barriers should also tell their relatives and friends, as well as the farmers and herdsmen around them after they understand.

We do not have enough medical knowledge, the medical conditions are relatively poor, and the transportation in the valley is not convenient. If this pneumonia spreads to Tibet, the consequences will be unimaginable.Therefore, in terms of prevention, as a Tibetan proverb says, “When water does not come, a dam should be built;When the wind does not come, we should surround the yard”. We should work together now to take protective measures in all aspects.

2. At present, there are no special preventive and therapeutic drugs, but experts are studying them.Judging from common medical knowledge, the best preventive measures are wearing masks, washing hands frequently, opening windows for ventilation, etc.

1.I believe everyone knows how to wear masks, so I won’t go into details.But why wear a mask?According to Western medicine, this can effectively block bacterial transmission.Some medical experts believe that when we catch a cold or get sick, there will be a large number of bacteria in our body. If we sneeze, more than 100 million bacteria will be sprayed instantly, with the spraying distance of more than 5 meters.Moreover, these bacteria will survive for half an hour, 30 hours or even longer. Some bacteria will fall to the ground and will continue to spread when encountering different causes and conditions.At this time, if you wear a mask, you can prevent these germs to the greatest extent.

There are all kinds of masks. Even if you can’t buy professional masks, ordinary masks can prevent at least 30% of bacteria.Tibetan elderly people often say, “If you have a cold, don’t walk into the crowd and wear a mask."This is also the reason for wearing a mask.

2.When washing hands, it is not enough to wash them once in the morning and evening.When we touch things every day, we get about 400,000 bacteria on our hands.In particular, if you accidentally touch the items that the patient has touched, and if you don’t wash your hands and touch your mouth, nose, and eyes, it will be easily contagious.In recent times, whether you have contacted people or not, as long as you have touched something that is contaminated with bacteria, you may be infected.Therefore, it is necessary to wash your hands frequently.And use soap or hand sanitizer, and wash your palms, backs, fingers, and wrists.It is best to use flowing water. If there is no condition, wash your hands with water in the basin and change the water as much as possible.

In addition, we also need to learn more and understand more about other protection common sense.

3. During this period, it is best for everyone not to have dinner together, which is also a repeated reminder from many experts.Even if you are having dinner with your family at home, it is recommended to try to use public chopsticks. Otherwise, if a person is infected, his germs may infect the whole table.

4. As people of faith, it is very important for us to pray for the Three Jewels.Some people seem to be very confident when Buddhism is booming. Once Buddhism seems to decline a little, they immediately say that Buddhism does not need it, and follow the crowd and follow the crowd.This may not be very good.Logically speaking, people with faith should always have firm faith.

In any case, this epidemic has brought great physical torture and psychological pain to many people. We should pray with compassion to the Three Jewels, Biadi and Dharma Protectors to bless them to get rid of suffering as soon as possible.During this period, there may be no way to hold a Dharma meeting, and everyone can recite scriptures or Vajra Armor Mantra at home.Whether you are praying by yourself or doing Buddhist rituals, you should think of: Do everything to relieve the pain of sentient beings.This is very critical at present.

5. As Tibetans, when we encounter such an epidemic, we should try our best to help people from our own or other ethnic groups and provide help.At the same time, remember to "don't sacrifice oneself and not disturb other people's hearts."Some people should not sell some things to fellow villagers at high prices under the banner of "special medicine".If you do this, you will be like the Tibetan proverb says, "Doing evil things will leave a bad reputation for a lifetime."

In disasters, some people will provide free supplies to help the public, while others will try every means to make a profit. This is not good.In the past, during the Yushu earthquake, many Tibetans volunteered for free, helping many people, but a few people also went to steal and rob things.In the face of disaster, the good and evil of people's hearts are fully displayed.

Therefore, at present, if there are people who are professionally matched in the medical field, they can make up their minds to be volunteers or spread relevant knowledge to everyone.Even if some people cannot do things that are beneficial to the public, they should not take this opportunity to deceive others, spread rumors, or do illegal things.

6. There is no need to panic about this disease.Today is January 28, 2020.As of this morning, a series of data have been officially released: 4,529 people have been confirmed, 106 have died, and 60 have recovered.Judging from the current situation, it should not be particularly serious. Unlike some plagues in history, they will kill thousands of lives in a short period of time.

Therefore, there is no need for everyone to panic, spread all kinds of voices and do all kinds of things.Of course, we should not take it lightly, thinking that everything is fine and care nothing.We should try not to fall from both sides and face the epidemic together.This is my hope.

Finally, I wish everyone good physically and mentally, and long-lasting life without illness!

Work together to calm the epidemic