Healthcare in Pali Buddhism
This article addresses an apparent paradox found in Pali Buddhist literature: while the uncompounded (asa?khata) is valued over and above what is compounded (sa?khata), the texts also encourage careful attention to relative (or, physical) health. The mind is the laboratory and the object of a th...
Published in: | Journal of religion and health |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Springer Science + Business Media B. V.
[2018]
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In: |
Journal of religion and health
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Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
Summary: | This article addresses an apparent paradox found in Pali Buddhist literature: while the uncompounded (asa?khata) is valued over and above what is compounded (sa?khata), the texts also encourage careful attention to relative (or, physical) health. The mind is the laboratory and the object of a thorough work meant to lead to final liberation from mental affliction and from the cycle of existence, whereas the body is perceived as impure, limited, and intrinsically unsatisfactory. Nonetheless, a disciple of the Buddha is supposed to take care of his/her own and others' physical wellbeing, and monastic equipment includes a set of medicines. Ultimate health is the final goal, but conventional healthcare supports the path to nibbāna and represents a value per se. The present article will explore the intricate connection between these two dimensions. |
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ISSN: | 1573-6571 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0402-4 |