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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health
Main Author: Giustarini, Giuliano (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [2018]
In: Journal of religion and health
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
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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.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0402-4