From its earliest days, Buddhism has been closely intertwined with medicine. Buddhism and Medicine is a singular collection showcasing the generative relationship and mutual influence between these fields across premodern Asia. The anthology combines dozens of English-language translations of premodern Buddhist texts with contextualizing introductions by leading international scholars in Buddhist studies, the history of medicine, and a range of other fields. These sources explore in detail medical topics ranging from the development of fetal anatomy in the womb to nursing, hospice, dietary regimen, magical powers, visualization, and other healing knowledge. Works translated here include meditation guides, popular narratives, ritual manuals, spells texts, monastic disciplinary codes, recipe inscriptions, philosophical treatises, poetry, works by physicians, and other genres. All together, these selections and their introductions provide a comprehensive overview of Buddhist healing throughout Asia. They also demonstrate the central place of healing in Buddhist practice and in the daily life of the premodern world.

About the Author
C. Pierce Salguero is aassociate professor of Asian history and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University's Abington College. He is the author of Translating Buddhist Medicine in Medieval China (2014), Traditional Thai Medicine (2016), and numerous scholarly articles and popular works on Buddhism and traditional medicine in Asia.

Reviews
C. Pierce Salguero's Buddhism and Medicine is an amazingly rich and comprehensive collection of studies of texts and observed practices from all over the Asian lands where Buddhism's manifestations made extensive contributions to the cultures. This book is a remarkable labor of scholarship and dedication-I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in Buddhism, the history of medicine, and the mutually fruitful interaction of the Asian medicine traditions and Western biomedical tradition that is happening all around us today. -- Robert Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia University This is a most unusual project. It will be a unique and valuable resource, both for students of Buddhism and for students of the history of medicine. There has never been anything like it in any language. -- Victor Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania A welcome addition to studies involving the healing traditions connected with Buddhism in South, Southeast, and East Asia. It will appeal to students of Buddhism, Asian medicine, and, importantly, the history of medicine. -- Kenneth Zysk, University of Copenhagen



Book Information
ISBN 9780231179942
Author C. Pierce Salguero
Format Hardback
Page Count 728
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press