Dharma Wheel

I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Sin? Forbidden? If you're looking for analogies to the Law as in Abrahamic faiths, you're going to be frustrated. Buddhism isn't quite like that.

So you can see what I mean, take a look at this discussion on vegetarianism. Budget a few hours. Several hours.

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=213" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Hopefully Namdrol will respond as he is a Tibetan Doctor

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

As far as I know, any medication is fine. Some Buddhists who are vegetarians avoid medications with animal products but that's because they're vegetarian, not because they're Buddhist.

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid.
Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?
Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Nope, the traditional Buddhist medicine is Ayurveda and there are kinds of meat, as well as urines, feces, etc., recommended as remedies for diseases in Ayurvedic texts as well as texts on Tibetan Medicine.

I am trained in western medicine, the short answer is no. However some Buddhists might be put off taking things with animal products but it is a personal choice not a Buddhist one. where you might find a more unified opinion is of that of abortion and euthanasia but even then it wouldn't affect my treatment of people who wanted those things.

I suppose there is the issue of monastics eating garlic and so forth, but even that is not a terribly big deal I don't think.

Re: Is taking medication a sin?

No.

Is taking medication a sin?

Only if it doesn't belong to you

Knotty Veneer wrote:

Is taking medication a sin?

Only if it doesn't belong to you

Very good...