1. Paper from the Rissho-Kosei-Kai Conference on the Lotus Sutra, Japan, Summer 1997 2. Robert E. Florida, Professor of Religion, Brandon University; email: florida@brandonu.ca
In the last several years there has been an increase in interest in the field of Buddhist ethics, particularly health care ethics. In this paper I will review the medical implications found in the Lotus Sūtra. I will first discuss some general ethical principles that apply in health care with reference to the Lotus Sūtra, and then go on to specific references in the sūtra to medicine.
目次
Introduction 171 Buddhist Medical Ethical Principles 171 Autonomy 173 Non-maleficence or ahimsa 174 Justice 174 Compassion and beneficence 179 Veracity 179 References to medicine in theLotus Såtra 181 (1) Parable of the skilful physician 181 (2) Parable of the medicinal herbs 181 (3) Bodhisattva-mahasattva Medicine King 182 (4) Medical benefits to those who revere the Lotus Sutra and medical penalties to those who do not respect it 183 (5) Bodhisattva practices 184 (6) Inquiries about the health of the Lord Buddha 186 Conclusion 184 Editions of the Lotus Såtra consulted 186 Notes 186
