Buddhism in Chinese medicine
libre 10
By the beginning of the 1st century A.D. Buddhism penetrated into China from India. Between it and the dominant religion of the time, Taoism, a sharp struggle began. Being much more reactionary than Taoism based on Chinese philosophy, Buddhism in Chinese medicine played a progressive role in the sense that it brought with it many useful things from ancient Indian medicine.
Buddhist religion
The representatives of the Buddhist religion saw in medicine a powerful means of attracting the broad masses of people to their side, striving to prove that it was they who possessed the real "secrets of banishing disease and prolonging life". In such an environment, medicine made significant progress.
The Chinese medical literature, which had been vast before, was enriched by the translation of many Indian books into Chinese by Buddhist monks. And if before that time the theory of medicine was based on the teachings of "ying-yang" and "wu-sing", then from the 3rd century it was enriched by the teachings of the "four great". This was the name given to the four basic Buddhist substances:
- Earth,
- Water,
- Fire,
- Wind,
The balance and harmony of which determined the normal course of life processes, and their violation could cause disease. And it was believed that each element in its excess or deficiency can cause 101 diseases, and therefore all the ailments in those times there were 404.
Adopting the theory of Buddhism, the Chinese physician Tao Hong-ching (more information: Books of Chinese Medicine) compiled a "Prescription Book" in 500 AD, describing 404 prescriptions for the same number of diseases.
On the basis of the "four big ones" medical theories were also built by Sun Si-miao, the author of the 60-volume "Most Valuable Prescriptions", a specialist in pediatrics, gynecology, acupuncture, and Wang Tao, a famous diagnostician and therapist, (more information: Development of Chinese medicine).
Buddhist philosophy
A number of hygienic principles of Chinese medicine also emerged from Buddhist philosophy. In the period of the early Middle Ages (according to the traditional periodization - during the Sui and Tang dynasties), Chinese physicians attached particular importance in preventive terms to the correct way of life, on which the harmonious mental and physical development of a person depends.
This position was tirelessly emphasized by all physicians - Buddhists, Taoists, Confucians and atheists.
It is the main theme running through the works of all the famous authors, not to mention such authors as Hua To, the creator of the classical system of therapeutic gymnastics; Wang Shu-he, the zealous propagandist of moderation, (for more information: Development of Chinese medicine); Wang To, the classic in the field of dietetics, (for more information: China in the 19th century), and many others.
And if we talk about the focus on hygiene and prophylaxis in the Sui and Tang periods, the explanation for this is the existence of historical conditions very favorable for the development of prophylaxis: the unification of the country and a marked flourishing of the economy and culture on this basis.
Just at this time, the first hospitals were opened, leprosariums were created, the most important prescriptions were made public, cities were beautified, etc. Mental development to the detriment of physical development leads to various abnormal phenomena, which manifests itself, for example, in immorality.
Harmonious human development
Harmonious human development is understood as the proper functioning and mainly nutrition of the body as a whole and all its parts separately. And nutritional disorders often occur in persons who lead a reprehensible way of life - hypocrites, slanderers, libertines, drunkards, etc.
All these vices can be combated. Omitting a number of theoretical constructions, from which it follows, for example, that stealing is the result of a disorder of the bile-forming function (what a departure from earlier Chinese philosophical theories proper!), let us point out only some rather rational prescriptions of a general order. Such of them as the requirements not to trouble, but also not to let the six senses idle:
- sight,
- hearing,
- taste,
- smell,
- touch,
- The sixth sense, according to Buddhist ideas, is "thesenseof complete moral and physical satisfaction". It was sometimes interpreted as a sense of sexual pleasure,
In all things, to observe measure and caution, not to give in to passions, and especially to be in harmony with the seasons in the way of life, food, housing, clothing, to adhere to the unconditional purity of his body and his surroundings - were very widespread.
In the theories of supporters of Buddhism a special place was given to the five senses, only thanks to which communication with the outside world is realized. These senses, as it was pointed out, should be nurtured and protected.
Thus, increasing light and heat, as well as their excessive weakening, adversely affect vision. Inability to adapt to space - or too sharpen hearing and tears the voice or, conversely, dulls hearing and weakens the voice. Who does not pay attention to the condition of the skin and mucous membranes, he does not know how to adapt to changes in temperature.
And when sensation and touch are weakened, or when they are too painfully aggravated, a person is subject to various nutritional disorders. He who uses water of poor quality is unable to protect his body from disorders. The sense of smell is developed by exposure to the soil and plant kingdom, through the various odors of herbs. Hence the conclusion about the benefits of agricultural labor.
Labor is an important factor
Labor in general is regarded as one of the important factors. But not all labor is meant, but "reasonable labor"-that which is appropriate to the condition of the individual. The term "reasonable" includes both physical and mental labor.
Physical labor is only useful when it is reasonable in the broad sense of the word and is done outdoors. Of all kinds of labor , agricultural labor is the most useful. It contains elements of education, it provides food for the farmer and his family in the simplest and most tangible way.
Farmers are most sympathetic to their neighbors, appreciate time, follow the changes of the seasons and understand nature. They are not only healthier themselves, but also better able to grasp the mysteries of medical science.
