What is Buddhist Medicine?

The Buddhist tradition defines itself as a collection of philosophical and practical solutions to the central question of suffering. Chief among the forms of suffering Buddhism targets is illness, and Buddhist traditions worldwide have sought to address this central human problem. This lecture will explore the multifaceted tradition of “Buddhist medicine” and will introduce a range of Buddhist ideas, practices, and other cultural and social formations that have been popular with Buddhists across cultures. Emerging via centuries of interplay, borrowing, and translation between Asian cultures, this body of healing knowledge represents the “missing link” in the history of Asian medicine.

Pierce Salguero is a transdisciplinary medical humanities scholar who explores historical and contemporary intersections between Buddhism, medicine, and cross-cultural exchange. He teaches Asian history, medicine, and religion at Penn State University’s Abington College, located near Philadelphia. The major theme in his scholarship is discovering the role of Buddhism in the global transmission and local reception of knowledge about health, disease, and the body.