BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTH AND HEALING

This study was begun because of the recognition of the problems in health systems we are presently facing. Those health problems are not only due to the deficiency in scientific and administrative knowledge, but are also the result of the limitation of the paradigm that we currently use to generate the knowledge and the ways to solve health as well as other global problems. The objective of this study is to find an alternative paradigm for understanding health issues by investigating the Buddhist canons. The Thai Tipitaka on CD-ROM was used as the basic database for gathering Buddhist principles and perspectives on health and healing. Buddhism looks at all existences in term of integrated factors depending on processes of inter-dependent causal relationships governed by the Three Characteristics or the Dependent Origination. This premise deeply guides the disciples ’ perceptions and living styles. The broadest meaning of disease in Buddhism involves all kinds of human sufferings, while health is the state of being completely free from all suffering. Health quality is a collective product of previous actions starting from past lives and ending at your last second. While suitable care is given to a patient, he/she should realize the nature of this so fragile, no-self life. These principles will lead patients and their relatives to have less suffering and anxiety. It will be, moreover, a basic belief of a health system that concerns more with the spiritual aspect of life