BE HEALTHY
A Buddhist Guide for Health & Healing
VOLUME 1
Compiled by
Dr. PHANG CHENG KAR
DON’T WORRY
BE HEALTHY
A Buddhist Guide for Health & Healing
Book cover:
“BUDDHA CARES FOR THE SICK”
(Mural at Da Lin Tzu Chi Hospital)
Painted by Li Chien-yi
Courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation
VOLUME 1
Compiled by
Dr. PHANG CHENG KAR (MD)
This book is dedicated to
Venerable Dr. K. Sri. Dhammananda Maha
Nayaka Thero on his 86th birthday
on March 18, 2005
May he continue to be
well, happy, healthy
and live long to propagate
the sublime Dharma for the
happiness of all sentient beings!
CAUTION!
&
VOLUME 1
Chapter 1: BUDDHA AS THE
GREATEST PHYSICIAN Page
• Don’t over-eat 99
• Religious significance of fasting 100-101
• Eating wisely 102-103
• Mindful eating 104-105
• Food for the body & mind 106-107
• Buddhist recipe for happiness 108-112
• What the Buddha say about eating meat 113-118
• Vegetarianism – A health perspective 119-122
• The time & place for eating 123-127
VOLUME 2
Chapter 8: POWER OF CHANTING
BIBLIOGRAPHY
DONATION
DEDICATION OF MERITS
Thus have I understood the Buddha’s
principle for health and healing that I would
like to share with all of you…
Chapter 1
BUDDHA AS THE
GREATEST PHYSICIAN
☺ DON’T WORRY, BE HEALTHY
TRIPLE GEM –
A HEALTH MODEL
BUDDHA
(Doctor)
DHARMA SANGHA
(Medicine) (Patients)
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How about us? We are all the patients who have not
recovered from the common and universal dis-ease of
LACK OF HAPPINESS or unsatisfactoriness in life.
The Buddha who is also described in the scriptures as
an unsurpassable surgeon and physician (anuttaro
bhisakko sallakatto) is a super-specialist in this kind
of disease. He is the best in the diagnosis and
treatment of this disease, and we can all confidently
take refuge in his medical expertise to eradicate this
disease and completely heal us.
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HEALTH IS
THE GREATEST GAIN
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☺ GOOD HEALTH ☺
-Ven. Sujiva-
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Something is wrong
with me Doc! I’m SICK
There’s nothing
wrong with you. It’s
normal to be SICK
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LIFE IS A SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED DIS-EASE
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
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-Dhammapada vs 1 and 2-
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-Nakulapita Sutta-
• DIABETES
• HYPERTENSION
• HIGH CHOLESTEROL
• HEART DISEASE
• CANCER
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-Sayadaw Thabyekan-
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RIGHT DIAGNOSIS
RIGHT TREATMENT
-Sayadaw Thabyekan-
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DHAMMA IS THE
BEST MEDICINE
Dharma is the
Buddha's teaching. It is
a very potent medicine for the common
and universal sickness that we all have – LACK OF
HAPPINESS or unsatisfactoriness in life. It is
particularly potent for emotional pain like stress,
anxiety and depression. As for physical pain, it
strengthens our mind so that we can cope with the
physical pain that we experience more efficiently. It
is also the ultimate cure for all sickness. How could it
be? It is through the Dharma, that we would
eventually become enlightened and thus end the cycle
of birth and death. When there is no more rebirth,
we would no longer be subjected to the life suffering
package of old age, sickness and death. Therefore,
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-Samyutta Nikaya-
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COMPLIANCE WITH
MEDICATION
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-Sayadaw Thabyekan-
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IS BUDDHISM
GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
-Stephen S. Hall-
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Jesus Christ of
Nazareth can perform miracles. He can heal the sick
and bring the dead back to life. Can the Buddha do
that?
So, the Buddha did heal the sick with His power of
wisdom and compassion. He did not only do it at an
individual level (refer to page, “Spiritual Joy &
Healing), but at a ‘public health’ scale targeting at the
entire community in the city. But, the Buddha never
calls that as a miracle. From the Buddha’s point of
view, that is just the natural POWER OF TRUTH. The
power of Truth protects the follower of Truth! To
him, the real miracle is the miracle of EDUCATION.
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BUDDHISM, HEALTH
& DISEASE
-Pinit Ratanakul, PhD-
Director of the College of
Religious Studies, Mahidol
University, Salaya,
Puthamoltoll 4, Nakornpathom,
73170, Bangkok, Thailand
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Concluding Remarks.
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(2) This law is also referred to as the law of causality according to which a deed
is likened to a seed which will sooner or later result in certain fruits.
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SPIRITUAL
VACCINATION
In the Anagata-bhayani Sutta, the Buddha says
that we should appreciate the opportunity to practice
the Dharma well when we are relatively healthy. Only
then we are able to cope well when we eventually fall
sick one day, which is
inevitable.
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5 HEALTHY
REFLECTIONS
• OLD AGE
• SICKNESS
• DEATH
• IMPERMANENCE
• LAW OF KARMA
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MAY A MONK
ACT AS A DOCTOR?
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
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Chapter 2
KARMIC EFFECT
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-Sayadaw Tabyekan-
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BLIND MONK
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She told him that her eyes were getting worse when,
in fact, they were perfectly cured. The physician
knew she was deceiving him. So, in revenge, he gave
her another ointment, which made her totally blind.
As a result of this evil deed the physician lost his
eyesight many times in his later existences.
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LEPROSY
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4 BENEFITS OF
FOOD OFFERING
- Angutara Nikaya –
♥ LONG LIFE
♥ BEAUTY
♥ STRENGTH
♥ HAPPINESS
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FREEING CAPTURED
BIRDS CRITICIZED!
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PAST LIFE
REGRESSION THERAPY
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One day, Dr. Brian got tired and told her, “Go back to
the origin of your disease”. And this lady went back
4000 years to her past life and described a situation
whereby she was stabbed on her throat to death.
After the emotional recall, she got better and with
subsequent past life regressions, she was completely
cured.
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8 CAUSES OF SICKNESS
-Samyutta Nikaya-
♥ BILE
♥ PHLEGM
♥ WIND
♥ UNION OF BODY HUMOURS
♥ SEASONAL CHANGES
♥ UNPLESANT SURPRISES
♥ SUDDEN ATTACK FROM WITHOUT
♥ KARMA
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Chapter 3
HEALTHY EATING
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DON’T OVER-EAT!
Once day, King Pasenadi of Kosala was
complaining to the Buddha that he always felt very
sleepy and uncomfortable after taking his meals.
Buddha subsequently advised him to be moderate and
contented in his food intake. After listening to the
Buddha’s advice, King Pasenadi became much more
comfortable, energetic, healthy and happy.
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RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE
OF FASTING
-Ven. Dr. K. Sri. Dhammananda-
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EATING WISELY
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
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MINDFUL EATING
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HUNGER! - FOR
PHYSICAL & MENTAL FOOD
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BUDDHIST RECIPE
FOR HAPPINESS
Don Brown, Spiritual Director,
Kadampa Tibetan Buddhist Centre
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Ajahn Brahmavamso
Newsletter, April-June 1990,
Buddhist Society of Western
Australia.
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"Monks, I allow you fish and meat that are quite pure
in three respects: if they are not seen, heard or
suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk.
But, you should not knowingly make use of meat killed
on purpose for you." [2]
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Reference:
[1] Book of the Discipline, Vol. 4, p324
[2] ibid, p325
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VEGETARIANISM –
A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE
Vegetarianism is a popular
eating habit associated with
Buddhism in the spirit of
compassion. Although it is not a
compulsory Buddhist practice, it is
encouraged as it confers various
benefits including good health.
Scientific research has shown
conclusively that vegetarians are generally at a lower
risk than non-vegetarians for heart disease, stroke,
cancer, diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
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http://www.ivu.org
Having said that being a vegetarian can confer
physical, mental and spiritual health, would you insist
that your family member diagnosed with e.g. stroke
who has been a habitual meat eater to become a
vegetarian? My mother has been diagnosed and
treated for breast cancer. Since then, she has been a
partial vegetarian for health reason at her own will. In
my personal opinion, if a person is eager to become a
vegetarian, by all means go ahead in view of the
various benefits. But, if a person especially a sick one
is reluctant to become a vegetarian (most of my
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Ajahn Brahmavamso
Newsletter, July-September 1990,
Buddhist Society of Western Australia.
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Chapter 4
MEDITATION
AS A THERAPY
☺ DON’T WORRY, BE HEALTHY
VIPASSANA THERAPY
Vipassana meditation is
a unique form of meditation
taught by the Buddha. It is
also known as insight or
mindfulness meditation. This
meditation encompasses the
practise of Noble Eightfold
Path, emphasising on Right
Mindfulness. Its ultimate aim is for enlightenment.
However, it also has a good ‘side effect’ of good
health. Vipassana therapy refers to the practise of
Vipassana meditation for the purpose of good health.
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MEDICAL BENEFITS
OF MEDITATION
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Bronchial Asthma
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Infertility
• Psoriasis
• All forms of pain and ache
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THE MIND
DOES NOT
ONLY MAKE ONE
SICK
IT ALSO
HEALS
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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
BASED STRESS REDUCTION
PROGRAMME
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MINDFUL MEDICINE
An interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn
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"It was only when more and more people with AIDS
came to us that we realized that we could use Dharma
to heal health problems," he said.
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WALKING MEDITATION
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♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
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HEALING POWER
OF SPIRITUAL JOY
On one occasion, Venerable Maha Cunda was
very sick. The Buddha personally gave him a talk on
Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Mindfulness,
Investigative Mind, Effort, Joy, Tranquility,
Concentration and Equanimity). After the talk,
Venerable Maha Cunda immediately recovered from
his sickness. Similar
healing incidents with
reflections on Seven
Factors of Enlightenment
also happened to Venerable
Maha Kassapa and the Buddha
himself.
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WHAT
MERITORIOUS
ACTIONS HAVE I
PERFORMED?
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SKILFUL REFLECTIONS
ON SICKNESS
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GRATITUDE &
CONTENTMENT FOR HEALTH
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- Andrew Matthews -
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REVERENCE, HUMILITY,
GRATITUDE, CONTENTMENT &
OPPORTUNE HEARING OF THE DHARMA,
THIS IS THE HIGHEST BLESSING.
-Mangala Sutta-
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DALAI LAMA
JOINS WESTERN MEDICINE,
EASTERN HEALING
NEW YORK (AP), May 6, 1998 - It
was a medical marriage of East and
West, with the Dalai Lama presiding.
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DEEP RELAXATION
-Thich Nhat Hahn-
(Anger-Wisdom for Cooling
the Flames)
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Chapter 5
EMBRACING PAIN
☺ DON’T WORRY, BE HEALTHY
NOBODY CAN
EXPERIENCE PAIN FOR US
In the Ratthapala Sutta, it is said that nobody
can experience our pain on behalf of us. Therefore,
we must learn how to cope skilfully with our pain.
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"When I
dwell with my mind well-
established in the four frames of reference, the
pains that have arisen in the body do not invade or
remain in the mind. Which four? There is the case
where I remain focused on the BODY in & of itself -
ardent, alert, & mindful - putting aside greed &
distress with reference to the world. I remain
focused on FEELINGS in & of themselves ... MIND
in & of itself ... MENTAL QUALITIES in & of
themselves - ardent, alert, & mindful - putting aside
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-Satipatthana Sutta-
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CHASE-IT-GO
LET-IT-GO
☺ ☺ ☺
“Hello! My dear Pain,
Glad to see U again,
U are welcome to,
Stay as long as U want.”
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FEAR OF PAIN
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
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would kick in the door of the mind that I’d closed, and
come bursting in with a furious force.
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LETTING GO OF PAIN
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
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When you are able to give all your feelings your full
attention, without believing that one feeling is good
and another bad (even if you think it is), then
compassion, irritation, pain, hatred, and joy are all
sacred. When our way is very hard, we have an
opportunity to use every flicker of our imaginative
fire. This attitude gives us a tremendous sense of
freedom and creativity. We feel as if we can imbue
any situation with the richness of our own poetry.
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☺ KNOW O PAIN! ☺
-Ven. Visuddhacara-
Know O Pain!
You could do your worst
Devastate this body of mine
Reduce me to skin and bones
Pummel me into pulp
Cut me into tiny strips
Carve me into little pieces
Crush me to smithereens
And make a fine powder of my bones
But know O Pain
Know O Pain!
This mind is composed
It is calm and clear
Mindful and equanimous
Beyond your sphere of influence
So you can do as you will
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I AM NOT MY PAIN
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Cracking Up!
-Ajahn Brahmavamso-
In my first year in
Thailand, we would be taken from
monastery to monastery in the
back of a small truck. The senior monks had the best
seats, of course, in the cab up front. We junior monks
sat squashed on hard wooden benches on the rear
tray. Above the benches was a low metal frame, over
which was stretched a tarpaulin to protect us from
rain and dust.
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BODY SCAN
FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
The body scan is a useful skill that is learned as
a part of mindfulness meditation developed by Dr. Jon
Kabat Zinn. The body scan allows one to develop a
focused, concentrated awareness of the body. One
develops the ability to be a compassionate witness to
whatever is happening in the body at any particular
moment in time, to be present without judgment,
expectations, or demands and without a need to
change anything. Often when an unpleasant sensation
arises in the body, the immediate (and unconscious)
reaction is to physically tense the muscles in that
area. This tension increases the physical dis-comfort
while at the same time decreasing the total volume of
air exchanged with each breath.
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body, and out the toes. End by feeling the entire body
lying down breathing. When ready, gently deepen the
breath bringing small movements to the fingers and
toes, the arms, and legs. Roll over to one side, pause
briefly, and then using the arms, slowly push up to a
seated position, bringing the head up last. Pause in a
seated position for a few breaths noticing how the
body feels before proceeding to the next activity.
Reference:
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Everyone adores my
friend Liz. She's a
gregarious blond surfer
girl with a killer smile
and a hearty laugh. She's also in daily pain and fatigue
arising from a rare and debilitating medical condition.
Before her illness, Liz and I would run together for up
to two hours and chat about everything, occasionally
touching on my Buddhist practice. She would grin
dismissively and shake her head saying, "That's just
too wild." The truly wild thing is now when she tells
me how she copes with her chronic pain, it's pure
dharma. Liz says her greatest techniques are just
accepting what is and being in the moment.
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THE ART OF
TRANSFORMING PAIN
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SELF MORTIFICATION –
I WANT MY PAIN!
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BOUNDLESS LOVE
-Metta Sutta-
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BENEFITS OF METTA
(LOVING-KINDNESS)
♥ He sleeps easily
♥ He wakes up fresh like a flower opening
♥ He has pleasant dreams
♥ He is loved by celestial beings and animals
♥ He is dear to human beings
♥ He is protected by spirits
♥ He is not harmed by external dangers
like poison and weapons
♥ His mind is easily concentrated and serene
♥ His face is radiant
♥ He dies peacefully
-Visuddhacara-
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METTA BHAVANA
(Loving-kindness Meditation)
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-Buddha-
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METTA WORKOUT
FOR SOCIAL HEALTH
There are many ways to
cultivate metta. Here are a
few techniques that we can
use in our daily interpersonal
lives.
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-Buddha-
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4 LOVING THOUGHTS
FOR PRESCRIPTION
“Hmmmm….I see”
EQUANIMITY (Upekkha)
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I TEACH!
I PREACH!
I HEAL!
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-Dalai Lama-
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CARING FOR
HEALTH & LONGEVITY
HAPPINESS IS A PERFUME YOU CANNOT
POUR ON OTHERS WITHOUT GETTING
A FEW DROPS ON YOURSELF
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LOVE YOURSELF
TO LOVE OTHERS
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IN ALLTHE WORLD,
WE SHOULD LOVE OURSELVES THE MOST.
AND IT’S BECAUSE OF THAT,
WE SHOULD NEITHER HARM OURSELVES
NOR CAUSE HARM TO OTHERS.
-Buddha-
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‘MAKE LOVE’
WITH YOUR BODY
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But while the gods were growing more and more angry,
the demon was quite pleased because from moment to
moment he grew in size, in strength and in power. The
anger he absorbed into his system started to ooze
from his body as a smoky red-glowing mist. This evil
aura kept the gods at a distance and their radiance
was dimmed.
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WELCOME, WEL-GO
LET GO, LET’S GROW
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-Shantideva-
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Chapter 7
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REMEMBER:
A PATIENT IS A HUMAN BEING!
By Lai Chi-wan,
M.D., Associate Dean of Tzu Chi College of Medicine
and Humanities and Vice Superintendent of Tzu Chi
General Hospital.
As medical professionals,
we should always bear in mind
that the patients who receive
care from us are human beings.
Only by adopting a humanistic approach to our
patients can we become really successful medical
workers.
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COMPASSION
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WHICH TYPE OF
PATIENT ARE YOU?
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COMPASSION IS AN
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE ORDER
TO RELIEVE THE SUFFERING
OF MANKIND
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VOLUNTARY WORK
IS GOOD FOR HEALTH
Join me to become a
VOLUNTEER!
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“I’m sorry.” barked the nurse, “she does not want any
visitors and we all must respect that.”
So I went in. When I asked the nun why she had put
up the notice with the special exception, she
explained that when all her other friends and
relations came to visit her, they became so sad and
miserable seeing her dying that it made her feel much
worse. “It’s bad enough
dying from cancer”, she
said, “that it’s too much to
deal with my visitors’
emotional problems as
well.”
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HEALING AND
LOVING
-Sister Kia Gut-
A spiritual journey of a
thousand miles begins with a
first step. My first spiritual
encounter started years ago
when I attended a three months’ meditation course
under the guidance of Brother James Ong. Since
then, I have gone for quite a number of meditation
retreats, attended Dhamma classes, listened to
Dhamma talks and even offered my service in the
Sunday school. But how far has this spiritual path
taken me to? I have always wondered myself with this
big question? Has meditation been able to integrate
into my life? Has it made me a better person when
confronted with the many vicissitudes of the real
world? Will I remain peaceful, yet empathetic? So far
I have not been tested in difficult and severe
conditions. Life has been pretty good to me. But I
believe when you are not put to a real test, you may
not know your strength and weaknesses.
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-Tan Ho Soon-
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VOLUNTARY WORK
IS GOOD FOR HEALTH
Join me to become a
VOLUNTEER!
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-By Ou Chun-ping-
-Translated by Teresa Chang-
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"Superintendent Lee"
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Gardener Ali
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We're a family
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COMPASSION
IS THE UNBEARABLENESS OF
THE SIGHT OF SUFFERING
-Dalai Lama-
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DEEP COMPASSIONATE
LISTENING
Deep compassionate listening is a very powerful
method to heal the sick especially for emotional
healing. The following are 8 tips
on how to listen therapeutically
using Buddhist principles:
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A GOOD DOCTOR
CURES SOMETIMES
RELIEVES OFTEN
COMFORTS ALWAYS
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DON’T BE A
KIND-HEARTED FOOL
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Chapter 8
POWER OF CHANTING
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DO BUDDHIST
PRAY FOR
HEALTH AND
HEALING?
Do Buddhists pray for
health and healing?
This depends a lot on the definition of prayer. In his
book, “Faith and Prayer in the Healing of Cancer”, Dr.
Chris defines prayer as follows:
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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
PARITTA CHANTING
-Ven. Dr. K. Sri. Dhammananda-
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PARITTA CHANTING
FOR HEALTH
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ANGULIMALA
PARITTA
Recital to bless
expectant mothers
for easy childbirth
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BODHI PUJA
-By Robert Yap Yen Choon-
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-G.R. Lewis-
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IN MANY RELIGIONS,
GOD IS NOT REGARDED AS A PERSON,
BUT A FORCE PERSONIFIED IN THE MIND
-Ven. Dr. K. Sri. Dhammananda-
*Note: In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Kwan Yin is only a bodhisatta, one
who aspires to become a Buddha and in the process of spiritual training. In the
Mahayana Buddhist tradition, Kwan Yin has already completed the spiritual
training to perfection and thus is a Buddha.
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COMMON PRAYER
-Mother Teresa-
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POWER OF PRAYER
Before PRAYER
After PRAYER
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SCIENTIFIC PRAYER
There is an often quoted research done by
cardiologist, Dr. Randolph Gyrd.
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RELIGION WITHOUT
SCIENCE IS BLIND
SCIENCE WITHOUT
RELIGION IS CRIPPLED
-Albert Einstein-
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BIBLIOGRAPHY