EAN: 9783110762952

BUDDHISM AND MEDICINE IN JAPAN - KATJA TRIPLETT...

This book demonstrates the close link between medicine and Buddhism in early and medieval
Japan. It may seem difficult to think of Japanese Buddhism as being linked to the realm of
medical practices since religious healing is usually thought to be restricted to prayers for
divine intervention. There is a surprising lack of scholarship regarding medicinal practices in
Japanese Buddhism although an overwhelming amount of primary sources proves otherwise. A
careful re-reading of well-known materials from a study-of-religions perspective  together with
in some cases a first-time exploration of manuscripts and prints  opens new views on an
understudied field. The book presents a topical survey and comprises chapters on treating
sight-related diseases  women's health  plant-based materica medica and medicinal gardens  and
finally horse medicine to include veterinary knowledge. Terminological problems faced in
working on this material - such as 'religious' or 'magical healing' as opposed to 'secular
medicine' - are assessed. The book suggests focusing more on the plural nature of the Japanese
healing system as encountered in the primary sources and reconsidering the use of categories
from the European intellectual tradition.

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