KNOWLEDGE OF ANCIENT INDIAN MEDICAL SCIENCE :
There is important information about medical science in Pāli literature. We should discover the medical history of Pāli literature by studying Pāli literature with this view. Buddhist medical science has great influence on ancient Indian medical science. Prominently important information in this regard is found in Vinaya Pitaka and Buddhaghasa’s Atthakathās. The conceptual development of ancient Indian medical science started after the Buddha’s period, it is known after study.
BUDDHA, THE BHESAJJAGURU :
Buddha is called Bhesajjaguru (Medicine Buddha), because he has given the medicine of Dhamma to the entire human race to free from the disease of sorrow. BHESAJJAMAÑJŪSĀ : THE MEDICAL TEXT IN PĀLI , in the beginning of this text, the author has saluted Buddha as a physician of mental diseases.
ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOLOGY :
Buddha has also analysed physiology in Khuddakapātha–
Atthi imasmim kāye-
Kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco, mamsam nhāru atthi atthimiñjuam vakkam hadayam yakanam kilomakam pihakam papphāsam antam antagunam udariyam karisam matthalungam, pittam ssemham pubbo lohitam sedo assu vasā khelo singhānika lasikā muttanti|
(In this body there are- Hair of the head, hair of the body, nails, teeth, skin flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidney, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, stomach and contents, faeces, brain, bile, phlegm, lymph, blood, sweat, fat, tears, oil, saliva, mucus, synovial fluid and urine.)
Apart from this, details of physiology are found in many Suttās of Pāli literature such as Mahāsatipatthana Sutta, Mahālrāhulvād Sutta and in Buddhaghasa’s Atthakathās.
DISEASE IS SORROW :
Buddha in his first sermon preached the four Noble Truths. In which in the first Noble Truth He explains disease is also sorrow. (byādhi pi dukkham).
INFORMATION ABOUT DISEASES :
Buddha had a good knowledge of Medical Science, this is known to us from the study of Pāli literature, such as Vinaya pitaka, Abhidhānappadīpikā. In Girimānanda Sutta, Buddha informs us the following disease- cough (kāsa), asthma (sāso), fever(dāho), aging (jaro), stomach ache (kucchi rogo), fainting(mucchā), dysentery (pakkhandikā), cholera (visūcikā), itch(daddu), ringworm(gando), diabetes (madhumeho),cold (sitam), heat (unham), hunger (jighacchā), thirst (pipasā),etc.
Also, these diseases are also mentioned in this sutta- seeing-diseases (cakkhūrogo), hearing-diseases (sota rogo), tongue-diseases (jivhā rogo), nose-diseases (ghāna rogo), body diseases (kāya rogo), head-diseases(sīsa rogo),etc.
We also get the knowledge of these diseases through this sutta-diseases arising from wind-property (vāta samutthana ābādhā), diseases arising from the changes in the weather (utuparināmajā ābādhā), etc. Apart from this, many diseases have been mentioned in Girimānanda Sutta.
INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENTOF DISEASES :
Through the study of Pāli literature, we get very important information about ancient Medical Science. We get the remedy of poisons like snakebite, venom, etc by Bhesajjakhandhaka(Medicaments). We get information about treatment of gout, rheumatic disease. There is mentioned in Bhesajjakhandhaka(Medicaments) about the treatment of skin diseases, jaundice and many more diseases. Natural Medicines have been used in all these diseases.
INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICINES :
Pāli literature is ocean of knowledge. With the knowledge of every subject, this ocean of literature is full. Whether it is knowledge about medicines. Turmeric, ginger, orris root, white orris root, garlic, khus-khus, nut grass, etc were used as medicine. Nimb leaves, cucumber leaves, basil leaves, cotton-tree leaves, etc were also used as medicines. The following types of salt were also used as medicines, such as- sea salt, black salt, rock salt, culinary salt, red salt. All these medicines are derived from natural wealth. Which is still used in medical science.
Even today most people in rural part of India use Medicinal plants for health.
RELATION OF FOOD AND DISEASE :
Many diseases are caused by unbalanced, improper eating. Eating in large quantities causes many physical diseases. Due to this, obesity and laziness appear. Eating small amounts weakens the body. Such a person experiences weakness, body pain. Food should be taken in right quantity. It is always providing healthy health. That’s why Buddha says ‘Bhojnanmhi ca mattannun’(moderate in eating).
MOTIVATION TO SERVE PATIENTS :
Through the study of Pali literature, we get the knowledge that Buddha has also served the patients. At the same time, Buddha also used to inspire others to serve patients. Buddha is said in Gilānavatthukatha-‘Yo, Bhikkhave, mam upatthaheyya so gilānam upatthaheyya.’(Whoever, Monks, would tend me, he should tend the sick).We Should still remember that the service of the patient means the worship of Buddha. It really means to follow the path of Buddha.
HEALTH IS WEALTH :
Ārogyaparamā lābhā (Health is the greatest gain), that’s why we should take care of ourselves and other’s health as well. Jigacchā paramā rogā(Hunger is the greatest ill). Today, many poor people are suffering from hunger. We should help them. That is true humanism.
Let us study ancient medical science in Pāli literature and try to defeat the global epidemic.