Elmar A.

Curitana BSN III-1 Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end ignorance of dependent origination and sunyata.

Core beliefs of Buddhism: Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs. One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. Karma (from Sanskrit: "action, work") in Buddhism is the force that drives sasrathe cycle of suffering and rebirth for each being. Good, skillful deeds and bad, unskillful actions produce "seeds" in the mind which come to fruition either in this life or in a subsequent rebirth. The avoidance of unwholesome actions and the cultivation of positive actions is called la (from Sanskrit: "ethical conduct"). In Buddhism, karma specifically refers to those actions (of body, speech, and mind) that spring from mental intent and which bring about a consequence or result . In Theravada Buddhism there can be no divine salvation or forgiveness for one's karma, since it is a purely impersonal process that is a part of the makeup of the universe. In Mahayana Buddhism, the texts of certain Mahayana sutras (such as the Lotus Sutra, the Angulimaliya Sutra and the Nirvana Sutra) claim that reciting or merely hearing their texts can expunge great swathes of negative karma. Some forms of Buddhism regard the recitation of mantras as a means for cutting off previous negative karma.[

The Japanese Pure Land teacher Genshin taught that Amida Buddha has the power to destroy the karma that would otherwise bind one in sasra. The Three Trainings or Practices: These three consist of: 1. Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles: The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal. The principle of reciprocity: This is the "Golden Rule" in Christianity -- to do onto others as you would wish them to do onto you. It is found in all major religions.

2. Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct. 3. Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm. The Four Noble Truths: The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as: 1. Dukkha - Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.) 2. Samudaya - There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.) 3. Nirodha - There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.) 4. Magga - In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. Meaning of Health The meaning of health and disease in Buddhism can be divided into two related areas. Disease of body - links to a conventional truth (sammatisacca) Disease of mind - associates with the ultimate truth (lokuttaradhamma) Causes of Diseases

The Buddha explained the cause of diseases in different ways according to the goal of his explanations. Defilements is a common term that refers to the basic cause of all diseases in both physical and mental meanings. Defilements, however, do not exist as basic entities that generate our suffering and wait for elimination. In the principle of Dependent Origination, causes of suffering are divided into three components: ignorance (avijj) craving (tah) clinging (updna) while in the Four Noble Truths these causes are indicated as the three roots of evil composed of : greed (lobha) hatred (dosa) delusion (moha) Good health, under Buddhist principles, is a result of previous good actions starting from last second, last year, or from the last life. Nevertheless, kamma law is only one section of the natural law. Thus, health or disease is governed by the natural law as well. This understanding turns the responsibilities of health back to each individual. In this respect, the role of health professionals will be smaller. It reminds us to realize that scientific knowledge and methodology is not the single route leading to the solutions of all health problems. The methods to cure or reduce sufferings, in Buddhism, are not only medicines and other physical treatments, but also Dhamma and mind practice. The Seven Factors of Enlightenment or the Seven Limbs of Wisdom is one Dhamma that is used to get rid of severe ailments. A serious physical illness of Lord Buddha, of the venerable Kassapa the Great, and of the venerable Moggallna the Great were eliminated after hearing through chanting the explanation of the Seven Factors of Buddhist Perspectives on Health and Healing The Atanata word-rune is another verse used for preventing sickness or danger from non-human beings (such as demons) especially for one who lives alone in a cave or forest . The Strong Effort of the Will is another Dhamma that the Buddha used to eliminate his dire sickness late of his life Ten Contemplations which Lord Buddha let the venerable nanda explain to Bhikkhu Girimnanda who was ill. After listening to the Ten Contemplations, the afflictions were immediately cured .

The efficacy of these methods of curing depends upon many factors especially the condition or state of the mind of patients. There is no general application for all situations. Preparing for Death Although dying in Buddhism is realized as a normal event of human existence, it is one of the dangers that blocks the process of mind development. It is a very important situation to help or support the one who is dying by helping them develop their mind. The condition of the mind during the death process is a powerful factor determining the state of the next existence. Thus, Lord Buddha and other competent disciples were usually invited to teach or talk to severely ill patients. After asking about the symptoms and feelings, the Buddha and those disciples always examined the patients understanding of the Truth and then they either re-corrected it if some points were not correct or confirmed those that were right understandings.

Hinduism Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religion of the Indian subcontinent. Formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder. Among its direct roots is the historical Vedic religion of Iron Age India and, as such, Hinduism is often called the "oldest living religion" or the "oldest living major religion" in the world. Demographically, Hinduism is the world's third largest religion.

Beliefs Concept of God Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, and atheism among others and its concept of God is complex and depends upon each individual and the tradition and philosophy followed. It is sometimes referred to as henotheistic (i.e., involving devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of others), but any such term is an overgeneralization. The Rig Veda, the oldest scripture and the mainstay of Hindu philosophy does not take a restrictive view on the fundamental question of God and the creation of universe. It rather lets the individual seek and discover answers in the quest of life. Nasadiya Sukta (Creation Hymn) of the Rig Veda thus says: Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it? Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation? The gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe.

Who then knows whence it has arisen? Karma and samsara Karma translates literally as action, work, or deed, and can be described as the "moral law of cause and effect". Samsara provides ephemeral pleasures, which lead people to desire rebirth so as to enjoy the pleasures of a perishable body. However, escaping the world of samsara through moksha is believed to ensure lasting happiness and peace. It is thought that after several reincarnations, an atman eventually seeks unity with the cosmic spirit (Brahman/Paramatman).
Moksha, Nirvana or Samadhi the ultimate goal of life realization of one's union with God realization of one's eternal relationship with God realization of the unity of all existence perfect unselfishness and knowledge of the Self attainment of perfect mental peace detachment from worldly desires

Practices Hindu practices generally involve seeking awareness of God and sometimes also seeking blessings from Devas has developed numerous practices meant to help one think of divinity in the midst of everyday life

can engage in worship either at home or at a temple. At home, Hindus often create a shrine with icons dedicated to their chosen form(s) of God. Temples are usually dedicated to a primary deity along with associated subordinate deities though some commemorate multiple deities. Visiting temples is not obligatory, and many visit temples only during religious festivals

Rituals The vast majority of Hindus engage in religious rituals on a daily basis Devout Hindus perform daily chores such as worshiping at dawn after bathing (usually at a family shrine, and typically includes lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs before the images of deities), recitation from religious scripts, singing devotional hymns, meditation, chanting mantras, reciting scriptures. life-cycle rituals include Annaprashan (a baby's first intake of solid food), Upanayanam ("sacred thread ceremony" undergone by upper-caste children at their initiation into formal education) and rddha (ritual of treating people to a meal in return for prayers to 'God' to give peace to the soul of the deceased) On death, cremation is considered obligatory for all except sanyasis, hijra, and children under five. Cremation is typically performed by wrapping the corpse in cloth and burning it on a pyre.

Hinduism and Health Traditionally-- vegetarian. This means no meat, fish, or eggs. Beef is especially taboo. Pork is not well-liked. Very little garlic, onions, and salt, as these are restricted, but not forbidden Because artificial life support prolongs life after the brain is dead, it is not viewed favorably. Most Hindus believe that prolonging life after a person's time for death has come interferes in the karma of that person and does not allow the soul to move back into the cycle of reincarnation Many do not even take alcohol or caffeine, depending on their personal beliefs Don't hand something to someone with your left hand, especially food or medicine. It becomes impure. Woman and men do not shake hands usually. Abortion is prohibited in the scriptures, as all life is sacred from conception Circumcision is NOT practiced in Hinduism. Do not circumcise babies unless the mother specifically requests it Organ donation (either giving or accepting) is not accepted in principle, as it does not allow for complete release of the soul of the donor. Many may opt for transplants if they are more modern in thinking. Others may just choose to die peacefully. Blood transfusions are a little more acceptable, but not desirable

Reference: http://www.stc.arts.chula.ac.th/CJBS/Buddhist%20Perspectives%20on%20Health%20and%20Healing.pd f http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism1.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism http://www.angelfire.com/az/ambersukumaran/medicine.html