Buddhism in Every Step (Set of Two Volumes)

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Since the origin of the world, birth, aging, illness, and dead' have been unavoidable. Prince Siddhartha learned of this truth when he ventured beyond his palace and visited the poor area o: town. There, amidst beggars, sick people, and frail elders, he saw the reality of life. Immediately, a desire arose in his heart to relieve the pain and suffering of these people. Thus, he renounced his life of luxury and became a monk, hoping that through meditation and cultivation he could find solutions for poor and ailing people.

From the beginning, the Buddha (formerly Prince Siddhartha) realized that just as one can suffer from physical diseases, one could also suffer from an unhealthy mindset. To cure diseases 01 both the body and mind, the Buddha devoted his entire life to passing down the knowledge of the Tripitaka. While the Buddha sought to cure both physical and mental illness, greater emphasis was placed upon the mind. He used knowledge of the Dharma to heal illnesses that arise from the three poisons: greed, anger, and ignorance. The Buddha's medicine treats diseases originating in the patients' minds, curing them of these poisons. Psychologists also treat illnesses by working with their patient's mental state but their treatment differs from the Buddhist practice of treating the mind. According to Buddhism, the pure and wondrous Dharma is the perfect medication for an ailing mind, as well as a sick body.

Keeping both the mind and body healthy is important, for the body is the vehicle that we use to practice the Dharma. Like all things, the mind and the body are interdependent; the health of the mind influences the health of the body and the health 01 the body influences the health of the mind. Using the healthy body as a tool, we can cultivate a compassionate heart and a cleat mind. With a cultivated mind, we are able to examine ourselves, clearly see the nature of our problems, and work to resolve them. We will then approach the path to true health.