Recovering From Surgery or an Injury? What Nichiren Daishonin Wrote About Faith Like the Rising Tide
When healing takes longer than you expected
The surgery is over, or the accident is behind you. Everyone is relieved. But for you, the real work has only started: the pain, the physiotherapy, the stitches, the walking stick, the weeks or months before you feel like yourself again.
Some days you can see progress. Other days you seem to go backwards. You're frustrated with your body, bored of being stuck at home, worried about work, and tired of needing help with simple things.
If you're in the long middle of recovery, the Daishonin's words are steady and encouraging.
What does the Gosho say about recovering from illness or injury?
Nichiren Daishonin wrote to a follower who was ill, "Your faith is like the waxing moon or the rising tide. Be deeply convinced, then, that your illness cannot possibly persist" (WND-1, 656). Recovery, like the moon and the tide, moves forward in its own rhythm. He also affirmed that physical illnesses "can be cured with the medicines prescribed by skilled physicians" (WND-1, 919). Healing comes through both faith and good care.
The waxing moon, the rising tide
When the lay nun Toki fell ill, the Daishonin wrote to her:
> "You also are a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, and your faith is like the waxing moon or the rising tide. Be deeply convinced, then, that your illness cannot possibly persist, and that your life cannot fail to be extended! Take care of yourself, and do not burden your mind with grief." > — The Bow and Arrow, WND-1, 656
The moon doesn't become full in a night. The tide doesn't come in all at once. Each day it moves a little further, even when you can't see it.
Recovery is like that. Measured day to day, it can feel like nothing is happening. Measured week to week, the change is real. Notice the small gains: the first walk without help, the first night without pain, the first day back at work.
And notice the last line: "Take care of yourself." Rest is part of healing, not a failure to heal.
Medicine and faith together
Writing to Shijo Kingo, himself a physician, the Daishonin described physical illness this way:
> "These illnesses can be cured with the medicines prescribed by skilled physicians such as Water Holder, Water Carrier, Jivaka, and Pien Ch'üeh." > — The Two Kinds of Illness, WND-1, 919
The Daishonin trusted good doctors. Follow your rehabilitation plan, take your medication, do your exercises even when they're boring or painful. These are part of your practice too.
Chanting strengthens the life force with which your body heals, and the spirit with which you face each day of recovery.
One small step for tonight
Write down one small sign of progress from this week, however tiny. Keep a list, and add to it each week.
Chant with conviction for your full recovery, and with gratitude for the doctors, nurses, therapists and family helping you. Then do today's exercises.
If recovery is affecting your mood, causing persistent sadness, sleeplessness or loss of hope, tell your doctor. Emotional recovery matters as much as physical recovery.
Returning from the brink, more than once
Kavya faced several life-threatening health crises. During one surgery, doctors found that what they believed was an ovarian tumour was in fact fluid near her pancreas; that night her breathing failed, and her father's quick action saved her life. A year later, cysts in her pancreas turned out to be a tumour that seemed to have spread, and doctors warned that several organs might need to be removed. She chanted intensely. The surgery took far less time than expected and no organs were removed. Then came septicaemia and an emergency operation. Through it all she kept chanting and encouraging others, and gradually regained her strength. She took to heart the line "Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way."
Her story, and others like it, are below.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my recovery taking so long?
Healing often moves in small, uneven steps. The Daishonin compared faith to "the waxing moon or the rising tide" (WND-1, 656). Progress is real even when it's slow. Ask your doctor what a realistic timeline looks like.
What should I chant for during recovery?
Chant for your body to heal fully, for patience with the process, for your care team's skill, and for joy in small progress.
Is it okay to feel frustrated or low during recovery?
Yes. Frustration is natural. Be kind to yourself, and tell your doctor if low mood persists.
Should I rely on chanting instead of physiotherapy or medicine?
No. The Daishonin wrote that physical illnesses "can be cured with the medicines prescribed by skilled physicians" (WND-1, 919). Follow your treatment plan and chant alongside it.
Which Gosho should I read during recovery?
The Bow and Arrow (WND-1, 656–658) and The Two Kinds of Illness (WND-1, 919–921).
Sources
All passages are from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume I (WND-1):
- The Bow and Arrow, p. 656 - The Two Kinds of Illness, p. 919