Does Chanting Work For Physical Health And Medical Emergencies?
Chanting does work for physical health and medical emergencies by addressing deep-seated karmic roots of physical suffering. It activates ultimate healing forces of life from within. This specific practice works synergistic with practical medical care. Nichiren Buddhism views medicine and faith combined as necessary for recovering completely and purifying underlying negative karma.
Karmic Disease and the Good Medicine of the Lotus Sutra
Nichiren details different origins of illness in his extensive writings. He identifies six specific causes. Disharmonies of elements or improper eating cause simple illnesses. Secular medicine readily treats these physical complaints. Karmic disease results directly from slandering the True Law. It proves the most difficult to cure completely. Slandering means rejecting the correct teaching. Nichiren explicitly explains that famous ancient physicians could not cure these deep-seated karmic ailments. Only the good medicine found in Shakyamuni Buddha's Lotus Sutra possesses the power to heal such severe illness. This teaching reaches beyond mere body functions. It treats fundamental spiritual blockages. Sincere faith resolves these profound issues effectively.
Changing Poison Into Medicine
Changing poison into medicine defines the relationship between karmic illness and the Mystic Law. Great physicians use powerful poison to cure grave illness. Nichiren likens the Lotus Sutra to this curative power. King Ajatashatru murdered his father and subsequently broke out in virulent boils. He acknowledged a severe spiritual cause that secular doctors could not cure completely. Immutable karma predetermined his death. The Buddha illumination instantly healed his condition. Heavy sins vanished quickly. His life was prolonged by forty years. Sincere repentance and chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo tap into this same beneficent power. This overrides even fixed karma. Practitioners transform suffering effectively.
Integration of Medical Care and Sincere Faith
Nichiren Buddhism positions faith synergistically with practical medical treatment. Early treatment by a skilled physician cures serious illnesses effectively. Chanting brings forth protective forces. Nichiren strongly urged the lay nun Toki to seek medical help alongside her practice. He recommended Shijo Kingo. Kingo was an excellent physician and a devout follower. Life is the most precious treasure. Nichiren personally integration medicine and faith. He suffered severely from diarrhea for months. An excellent medicine sent by a follower rapidly diminished his symptoms. He praised this physical medicine as protection bestowed by the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. Medicine itself is not separate from faith. It is a manifestation of Universal protection. Faith activates the wisdom of doctors and the efficacy of treatments.
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References
1. The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self https://amzn.to/3GLisar (About the author: https://imaginemd.com/team/alex-lickerman-md/)
2. The University of Chicago Magazine https://mag.uchicago.edu/science-medicine/mental-mettle
3. Hiroshi Kanno http://www.iop.or.jp/About-SrResearchFellows.html
4. Observations in the Study of Contemporary Nichiren Buddhis https://www.jstor.org/stable/30232962
5. Institute of Nichiren Buddhist Studies, Rissho University https://researchmap.jp/read004-1039/research_experience/15640974/?&lang=en&limit=120
6. When science meets mindfulness https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/harvard-researchers-study-how-mindfulness-may-change-the-brain-in-depressed-patients/
7. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness: effects on university students’ mental health https://ijmhs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13033-023-00604-8
8. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-what-you-need-to-know
9. ASSSA https://www.asssa.es/en/scientific-research-on-meditation-and-its-contribution-to-health/
10. The Effects of Mindfulness and Buddhist Meditation Coaching on Mental Health Outcomes in College Students https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/8178930.pdf