Buddhism and Medicine

Catalog description

As meditation apps proliferate and mindfulness enters hospitals worldwide, the relationship between Buddhism and healing has never been more relevant. In Part One of this course, we will examine the fundamental relationship between Buddhism and medicine, exploring the tensions between theories and practices for healing disease on the one hand, and Buddhist teachings of non-attachment, impermanence, and liberation from suffering on the other. In Part Two, we will trace the transmission and transformation of medical ideas within Buddhist traditions across Asia and into the modern West. By completing this course, students will learn the basic history, teachings, and practices of Buddhist and Asian medical traditions, while also developing critical tools for exploring the relationship between religion and medicine from the time of the Buddha down to the present day. No prior knowledge of Buddhism or Asian religions is required, and this course is open to students from all backgrounds and disciplines. No prerequisite.