Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health from the perspective of Buddhism by sharing some important passages from Nichiren's writings. In the five lectures in this volume from the series "Sun Buddhism," SGI President Daisaku Ikeda addresses the topic of health by sharing some important passages from Nichiren Daishonin's writings from different perspectives.
The author, starting from the desire of every person to be healthy and to be able to live long, shows how the compassionate light of Buddhism can illuminate the darkness resulting from the sufferings of birth, aging, illness and death and offer humanity the ability not to look at illness with aversion but to regard it as an integral part of the precious experience of being alive, an indispensable step in the journey toward happiness and the attainment of Buddhahood in this existence. In his lecture, Ikeda also makes it clear that medical science and faith in Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism are in no way contradictory.
Because we embrace the great teaching of Nam myoho renge kyo there is no karmic suffering that we cannot overcome. There is no need to worry or fear illness; what matters is our attitude, the way we deal with it.
Daisaku Ikeda
When we regard illness as one of the sufferings inherent in life we can appreciate the true richness of the experience of living. Buddhism views illness as an innate part of life. When we become ill we understand how important and valuable it is to be healthy, and we appreciate our life and mission more. Moreover, facing illness with strong faith and tenacious prayer, thus developing a vast vital condition, instills courage and hope in the people around us. In this way, illness becomes our mission.
Daisaku Ikeda
Faith is the key to triumph in life. For centuries the term elderly has been synonymous with a person rich in experience, repository of an irreplaceable wealth of knowledge and wisdom. In more recent times, the changes that have transformed our societies have accustomed us to a different image: weak, in need of care, scarcely useful, the person ahead in years is perceived essentially as a social problem. A fascinating path is outlined in this volume to restore the individual's right and ability to live a full and fulfilled life until the last, decisive moment.
Buddhism and the art of medicine. Illness is one of the four sufferings of life that, according to Buddhism, unite all human beings. Man has always been afraid of it, as it impairs the ability to live life to the fullest, but Buddhist scriptures state that illnesses stimulate the spirit of seeking the "Way." In order to teach an attitude to challenge diseases on the basis of faith as well as medical knowledge, in this volume Daisaku Ikeda discusses with some experts in the field the prevention and treatment of major diseases that afflict human beings of our time.
"Health is not a simple absence of disease. Being healthy involves constant challenge and constant creativity. A fruitful life, a truly healthy life is constantly advancing, always opening up new scenarios. An indomitable spirit gives the power to keep moving forward. "Daisaku Ikeda
Facing the four sufferings, manifesting the four virtues. Modern civilization has forgotten the meaning of death. Yet, according to Nichiren Daishonin, unless we first face the problem of death, we will not be able to live a full and fulfilled life. Indeed, according to the Buddhist view of life, human beings can taste joy in both life and death if they tap into that special vital state called "Buddhahood": intangible, invisible, yet omnipresent in every form of existence in the universe. Indeed, according to Josei Toda's insight while in prison during World War II, it is precisely Buddhahood that constitutes the fundamental core of life, of all life. Josei Toda taught Daisaku Ikeda that Buddhism is the teaching capable of overcoming the sufferings of birth, aging, illness and death, and in turn, Daisaku Ikeda returns to address the fundamental questions of existence for the benefit of readers. He does so by dialoguing on these issues with a number of members of the medical and nursing divisions of the Soka Gakkai, all of whom in their professional activities have experienced the profound relationship between Buddhism and medicine and who strive in invisible ways to sustain people's lives. In their wide-ranging dialogue, Daisaku Ikeda prompts representatives of the medical profession to reveal particularly poignant personal experiences with patients and to explain how to deal with problems common to the existence of every human being: being stricken with the flu, dealing with a family member suffering from Alzheimer's or simply hospitalized, the risk of flu pandemics, which is particularly topical. Sound advice from both practical and hygienic perspectives, as well as attitude and faith.The fundamental issue of the 21st century, says Ikeda in the preface to the volume, is precisely "that of the four fundamental sufferings. Ours is a never-ending challenge, and for this very reason I will continue to address the great issues of existence, trying to answer the questions of the contemporary world." No one can avoid the four sufferings that are at the origin of Buddhist teaching: in fact, it points the way by which each person can solve the problem of suffering in his or her life.
"According to Buddhist philosophy, birth and death are part of an unbroken cycle that is guided by a set of internal causes and relationships with the environment. Death can therefore be seen as an opportunity to regain energy for later rebirth, in the same way that with sleep we regain the energy we need for the next day. By persevering in Buddhist practice it is possible to experience joy in life and death. I believe that the fundamental issue of the xxi century is precisely that of the four basic sufferings, which even Arnold Toynbee and Linus Pauling thought was essential to address. Ours is an endless challenge, and for that very reason I will continue to address the great issues of existence, trying to answer the questions of the contemporary world. "Daisaku Ikeda
On the threshold of the 21st century, rapid scientific and technological advances in medicine have enabled modern civilization to make enormous strides forward: many serious diseases have been eradicated, the terrible epidemics of the past have been stamped out, surgery, with the help of highly sophisticated techniques, now makes it possible to heal once incurable diseases and to improve the quality of life for many sick people. But at the same time, man has been experiencing increasingly widespread and worrisome "suffering of the soul." Indeed, rapid changes require engagement that undermines our spiritual energy, causing mental disorders and depression. A Buddhist philosopher, a biologist and a bioethics specialist seek common ground to address the major issues that the new millennium has brought with it: in vitro fertilization, the fight against cancer and AIDS, euthanasia, the doctor-patient relationship, and bioethics. This book provides insights, viewpoints and reflections on the challenge of being human today. The more feeble our contact with nature and interiority becomes, the more distant the goal of every human being -- happiness -- becomes. What we can hope for-this is the authors' thesis-is for science and spirituality to harmonize having Man, and his well-being, as the only end.
René SimardEx rector of the University of Montreal, molecular biologist, is a renowned authority in the field of cancer research.
Guy BourgeaultHe is a professor at the University of Montreal in the field of bioethics research and cultural education.
