Is taking medication a sin?
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Is taking medication a sin?
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.
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.
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
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;
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;
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
Hopefully Namdrol will respond as he is a Tibetan Doctorwaqqaskhokhar 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.
- How foolish you are,
grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
- Vasubandhu
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
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.
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
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.
- AdmiralJim
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
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 don't know where we are going but it will be nice when we get there
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
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.
- Wesley1982
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- Location: Magga ~ Path to Liberation.
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
No.
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Re: Is taking medication a sin?
Only if it doesn't belong to youIs taking medication a sin?
This is not the wrong life.
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
Knotty Veneer wrote:Only if it doesn't belong to youIs taking medication a sin?
nopalabhyate...
Re: Is taking medication a sin?
Very good...
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.