RELIGION or POLITICS ?? Final on Causes of Illness.

(I must remind that the past few blogs, the contents therein and others forthcoming, are taken from the book "Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death." written by Daisaku Ideda, President of Soka Gakkai International, a Society of lay people who practice Nichiren Buddhism, members of which are in over 180 countries around the world. )

Happy new week, y'all, hope it was a good one for you and your families. I and my wife had Xmas dinner etc., with my 2 bachelor sons, ummmm, no kids, boo hoo. Not quite the same with out children of one age or another, Of course for us it would have to be grand kids. Oh well, next life.

I have to add on another completion from my last blog on Cause of Illness. You will remember I referred to the syllable MYO which comes out of Nichiren Buddhism's chant of the title of the Lotus Sutra, which is Nam Myo ho Renge Kyo. So today we will expand on the further meaning of MYO, and then be able to terminate on Cause of Illness with a complete picture of it's power.


First:  THREE PROPERTIES OF 'MYO'.

*  Renewal, a self-motivated capacity for creativity, demonstrated in how the human body constantly responds in new ways and rallies its creative resources.

* Perfection, in the sense of wholeness and unity;  completion.   The dynamic equilibrium of the human body as a whole -- its homeostasis -- is perfectly balanced and an expression to the mystic force.

* Openness, or the individual's ability to influence his or her environment.   Every living thing reacts to and is capable of provoking a reaction in its external environment.

     To sum up, then, these three characteristics of the Mystic Law are:  to activate our inherent life force;    to harmonize our spiritual and physical functions; and to equip us with the resources to influence our environment for the better while responding to its myriad changes with wisdom and maintaining a balance between it and ourselves.   When we base our lives on this Law --- by practicing Buddhism as Nichiren teaches  --  we can tap the limitless power inside ourselves so that disease is no longer for despair.   IN fact, the opposite is true: empowered by tne Mystic Law we can transform disease into a source of growth, joy and true fulfullment.  

NOW, LOOKING AHEAD::: 

     No one can deny modern medicine's contributions to the curing of disease.   It would be foolish to ignore it.   Otherwise, faith descends into fanaticism. 

     Yet, for all its impressive technology, effective pharmaceuticals and elaborate diagnostic techniques, modern science is not imnipotent.   Moreover, its treatments often tend toward a materialistic or mechanistic view of the human organism, neglecting to look at life as a phenomenon involving both body and mind.   Whereas modern medicine largely relies on drugs and technology, buddhist medicine concentrates on the patient's role in curing his or her illness.   We might say that medical science fights illness with scientific knowledge, while Buddhism develops human wisdom so that we may find our own rhythm and strengthen our own life force.   This assists the efficacy of medical treatment and also helps to conquer illness through our own natural healing powers.

     We must use medical resources wisely in fighting illness.   Buddhsim gives us the wisdom to use medicine properly.  Wisdom is the basic ingredient in health, to long life and to happiness.

     In general, we can say that Buddhist medicine focuses on three aspects:  1) developing the conditions of Buddhahood.  2) Achieving and maintaining harmony of the four elements within our bodies as well as with our external environment, and 3)  achieving and maintaining harmony among the five components.

     Buddism regards disease as an external manifestation of internal disharmony.   Further, Buddhist medicine maintains that the quality of human life or health is determined by the balance of an indescribably vast number of factors, each in a constant state of flux.   Establishing equilibrium  among these factors is little short of miraculous;  so it is hardly surprising that the balance is disturbed periodically, resulting in illness.   The strength of Buddhist medicing is that it focuses on activating the unlimited potentials and energies inherent in the individual human life to restore and sustain this robust, dynamic equilibrium.

     When we access our fundamental life force, no illness can prevent us from living a fulfilling life.    Fini.


That my friends takes care of the subject of illness according the Nichiren Buddhism Religious Philosophy. Don't forget folks, I welcome anyone else's views on religion, their's or mine. Diverse opinions welcome.OK?  So see y'all soon again, thanks for stopping in for a visit.  Cheers   CJ