Ayurveda is a holistic science of health, focusing on maintaining spiritual, physical and emotional balanced state. Ayurveda came into known about 5,000 years ago, when Indian Buddhist Monks whenwere looking for new ways to be healthy.
The monks believed that revering their bodies like temples, preserving their health and living healthy would help them meditate and develop spiritually.
The monks, being a religion of Nature which believed that the only way to living healthy life is with nature. They understand the law of nature, so they began to utilize the Ayurvedic system of medicine to achieve their aim.
Over thousands of years of observations, they gathered all their conclusions and advice and preserved it for future generations. Nagarjuna, one of the Buddhist monks was a great luminary of this ancient medical system that contributed much for the development of Ayurveda. This collection of knowledge came to be known as the “science or knowledge of life” – Ayurveda.
The Buddhist physicians treated Ayurveda as a great science that saves humanity from sufferings and miseries. The Buddhist monks and scholars did not only spread the medical system of Ayurveda wherever Buddhism flourished in the world, but also developed it in various ways.
Ayurvedic system of medicine is now practiced all over the world, and has been scientifically proven effective in the treatment of diseases – communicable as well as none-communicable with no side effect.
The maximizing of health is certainly in line with the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that we are to take good care of our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) as they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. There are many verses that speak of using “natural treatments” such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James 5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), wine (1 Timothy 5:23), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), and salves, particularly the “balm of Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22). Many of these treatments would be considered holistic medicine today.
One word of caution is in order. Many holistic health physicians recommend different techniques for wellness that may ultimately be in conflict with the Scriptures because of its roots in ancient cultures, that may even become open doors for demonic activities which leaves one open to deception from God’s enemy who searches for victims that he can turn away from God (1 Peter 5:8).
For Christians, wellness should centre on the Word of God (Psalm 104:14-15), (Revelation 22:2), His attributes, and the beauty of Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.
-
- buddhism, a religion that has its origin in India and was founded in the sixth century BC, is a religion of Nature. It is a way of living nature. It suggests living a healthy life, by utilizing the natural resources. Buddhism insists the natural way of healthy life. Ayurveda, an ancient medicinal science of India which has its origin thousands of years ago, also teaches the way of life. In fact, the word “Ayurveda” literally means “the science of life”.Buddhism had been much interested in Ayurveda and was practised by the Buddhist monks to treat diseases. Buddhist monks spread thesystem of Ayurveda wherever they spread the principles of Buddhism. You can find the roots of Ayurveda in China, Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, Sri Lanka and in many Asian countries, carried over by the Buddhist monks travelling to those lands. The principles of Ayurveda were developed in those countries into various therapies such as aromatherapy,homeopathy and naturopathy.Intertwined relationship of Buddhism and Ayurveda
The book titled “Tibetan Buddhist Medicine and Psychiatry”, written by Clifford. T., describes about the close association between the spread of Ayurveda and Buddhism. Buddhism treated Ayurveda as a great science that can help a healthy life. Buddhism developed this medical science for more than a thousand years until the twelfth century A.D., until India was occupied by the Muslim rule. The Buddhist monks and scholars not only spread the medical system of Ayurveda but also developed it in various ways. They propagated the system of medicine wherever Buddhism flourished. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is Buddhism that has enlightened the whole world with the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda.
Nagarjuna developed the Ayurvedic methods
Nagarjuna was one of the Buddhist monks who contributed much for the development of Ayurveda. He is hailed as a great luminary of this ancient medical system. Nagarjuna, who lived in the second century A.D. in India, was not only a Buddhist monk but also a great physician of Ayurveda. He made several researches in the ancient system and could adapt them in his practice successfully.
The researches of Nagarjuna paved the pragmatic way to introduce mineral-based medicine which are still followed in the medical world. He was a great philosopher and psychologist. His psychological and philosophical contributions caused great influence in Ayurveda. The major contribution of Nagarjuna to Ayurveda lives for ever through his enriched work of Ayurvedic Materia Medica. His great knowledge of Ayurveda was known to the whole world by passing on the system through the Greeks and Arabs who invaded India.
Buddhist contribution to global Ayurveda is really a great achievement in history. It has widened the medical knowledge throughout the world. The contribution of the Buddhist monks still has an inestimable significance in history, continuing the creativity and effectiveness of Ayurveda.
Sources: 1) Tibetan Buddhist Medicine and Psychiatry”, written by Clifford. T
2) Nagarjuna’s Contribution to Rasashastra by the website
- buddhism, a religion that has its origin in India and was founded in the sixth century BC, is a religion of Nature. It is a way of living nature. It suggests living a healthy life, by utilizing the natural resources. Buddhism insists the natural way of healthy life. Ayurveda, an ancient medicinal science of India which has its origin thousands of years ago, also teaches the way of life. In fact, the word “Ayurveda” literally means “the science of life”.Buddhism had been much interested in Ayurveda and was practised by the Buddhist monks to treat diseases. Buddhist monks spread thesystem of Ayurveda wherever they spread the principles of Buddhism. You can find the roots of Ayurveda in China, Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, Sri Lanka and in many Asian countries, carried over by the Buddhist monks travelling to those lands. The principles of Ayurveda were developed in those countries into various therapies such as aromatherapy,homeopathy and naturopathy.Intertwined relationship of Buddhism and Ayurveda