The Bojjhangas: Medicine That Makes All Diseases Disappear – Chanmyay Myaing Sayadaw (eng)

The Bojjhangas: Medicine that Makes All Diseases Disappear

CHANMYAY MYAING SAYADAW

Translated from Burmese by Venerable Ariya Nani

Introduction

Most people would agree with the statement that food, shelter, and clothing are necessities in human life. In the teachings of the Buddha too, these three things are regarded as essential supports to life. Therefore, from the time of ordination as novices and later as fully ordained monks, novices and bhikkhus carrying out duties connected to the Buddha’s teachings need to reflect before using these requisites. Their robes or shelter have the sole purpose of maintaining their health, preventing the body from getting sick and protecting it from any unpredictable changes in the weather. Food and medicine should also be used with wise reflection; their purpose being to prevent unpleasant feelings which have arisen from becoming stronger or to prevent unpleasant feelings from arising in the first place. In this way, the mind is not overcome with greed or aversion, and the month or novice is able to carry out his sasana duties faultlessly. 

In the Buddha’s teachings, these four requisites are the same as the three essential things used by lay people, namely food, shelter, and clothing. 

In short, whether a monk or novice is eating food, using a shelter wearing robes, or taking medicine, these actions are based on wise reflection for the benefit of others, so that he is free from affliction and is uninterruptedly mindful while carrying out his duties. The purpose is to reduce attachment, liking, and conceit until he attains the final liberation of the mind. 

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