Buddha was the greatest scientist in the world. Similarly, he was also a great revolutionary.
Ideological Revolution in Medical Science
The sixth century BC proved to be the era of ideological revolution in India. In the sixth century BC, the Buddha provided the light of knowledge to the people caught in superstition. Similarly, in the field of medicine also, Buddha started the flow of ideological change. Buddha gave a new scientific form to traditional medical science. We get detailed information about this by studying Pali literature.
Description of Physiology
Buddha has described two types of human health, physical and mental. The scientific analysis of these two sciences has been done in Pali literature.
Buddha has given a detailed description of the physiology of man. The following analysis of physiology is done in Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta.
Human body is made up of Cattāro Mahābhūta(four great elements).
‘Atthi imasmiṃ kaye pathvidhātu apodhātu tejodhātu vayodhātu’ti.
(In this body, there is the Earth-Element, the Water Element, the Fire- Element and the Air- Element.)
Atthi imasmim kāye (In this body there are)
Kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco, mamsam nhāru atthi atthimiñjuam vakkam hadayam yakanam kilomakam pihakam papphāsam antam antagunam udariyam karisam, pittam ssemham pubbo lohitam sedo assu vasā khelo singhānika lasikā muttanti|
(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, bile, phlegm, lymph, blood, sweat, fat, tears, oil, saliva, mucus, synovial fluid and urine.)
Apart from Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta, physiology is also described in other Pali Suttas.
Description of Psychology
Buddha has also done scientific analysis of the mind. The mind is deeply analyzed in the Abhidhammapitaka.
The nature of the mind has been described in citta Vagga(Mind) of Dhammapada–
Phandanaṃ capalaṃ cittaṃ,
Durakkhaṃ dunivārayaṃ.
(Mind is agitated, wavering, hard to guard and hard to restrain.)
In Vattha Sutta, the defilement of the mind is explained-such as covetousness and unrighteous greed, ill Will, anger, hostility, etc.
How this mind, subject to emotions, creates sorrow, it is known by Piyavaggo(Affection) of Dhammapada–
Piyānaṃ adassanaṃ dukkhaṃ,
Appiyāncañca dassanaṃ.
(Not to see the dear causes suffering, so also is painful seeing those not dear.)
Relation of Mind And Diseases
From the analysis of Girimānand Sutta, it is known that there is a strong relation between physical ailment and mind.
Some diseases arise from negative thoughts tendencies of the mind.Similarly, some mental disease is generated by negative thoughts arising from physical diseases. If the mind is strong, pure, then mental illness like despair, fear, anxiety created by physical illness can be overcome.
Importance of Satta Bojjhanga
Buddha was the great physician of Diseases. Buddha has cured the disease of many sick people.
Information in this context is obtained from Pali literature. It is described in Bojjhanga Sutta–
Ekasmiṃ samaye nātho
Moggallānañca kassapaṃ;
Gilāne dukkhite disvā
,Bojjhange satta desayī.
(At one time when the Buddha saw Moggallana and Kassapa being unwell and suffering, he preached the Seven Factors of Enlightenment.)
Satta Bojjhanga(The Seven Factors Of Enlightenment) are-
1.Sati (Mindfulness)
2.Dhammavicaya (Keen Investigation of the Dhamma)
3. Viriya (Energy)
4.Piti (Rapture of Happiness)
5.Passaddhi (Calm)
6.samādhi (Concentration)
7. Upekkhā (Equanimity)
After listening to the teachings of the Satta Bojjhanga, they got rid of the disease.
Te ca taṃ abhinanditvā,
Rogā mucciṃsu tankhane.
(They, who took delight in the discourse, at that moment, were freed from the illness.)
Not only this, when Buddha himself fell ill,
Ekadā dhammarājāpi,
Gelanne nābhipilito;
Cundattherena taṃ yeva,
Bhanāpetvāna sādaraṃ.
(Once the king of Dhamma (Buddha)was affected from illness, he had the venerable Cunda Thera recite the discourse respectfully.)
when he heard this sermon by Cunda Thera, he too became free from disease after listening to this sermon.
Sammāditvana ābādhā,
Tamhā vutthāsi thānaso.
(Having taken delight in the discourse the Buddha was quickly cured of the illness.)
The analysis of this Sutta also shows that there is a strong connection between body and mind. A strong mind is capable of removing illness. The mind can be strengthened through meditation.
Research on Meditation’s Effect on Diseases
Much research has been done on the effect of meditation on physical and mental diseases. Meditation has led to very positive results on physical illness and mental illness. According to Wikipedia, there has been a very positive results of meditation on anxiety, depression, pain, eating disorder. According to Mayo Clinic Report- allergies, asthma, fatigue, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep problems on these diseases have seen very good result of meditation. Along with this, there have been very good results of meditation on cancer as well. Similarly, the researchers also suggest that in addition to treating the diseases, meditation should also be given as an adjuvant treatment.
Buddha had explained the relation of body and mind to 2500 years ago. Buddha clarified that meditation helps in curing diseases. Today’s Researcher, Physician also accepts this scientific view of Buddha.