The Causes of Illness in The Girimānanda Sutta

Abstract

The illness in Buddhist scriptures refers to illness importantly causing the body to deteriorate and lead to death. There are two types of illness: physical and mental illness. There are two treatment methods: 1) treatment of physical diseases such as by herbal medicine, principles of nutrition and medical practice; 2) mental diseases, such as by dhamma, Buddhist chants and other methods. The study of the causes of illness and its treatment as appeared in the Girimānanda sutta found that the causes of illness are important in terms of recognizing its origins, treatment and ways to maintain good health. There are 14 causes of illness: bile, sputum, wind, fever, unpredictable seasons, irregular management, and improper perseverance, results of kamma, coldness, heat, hunger, thirst, feces and urine pain. The way of mental treatment is to listen to the 10 perceptions (saññā): contemplation of impermanency (anicca-saññā), contemplation on impersonality (anatta-saññā), contemplation of foulness or loathsomeness (asubha-saññā), contemplation on the disadvantages of the body (ādīnava-saññā), contemplation on abandonment or overcoming (pahāna-saññā), contemplation on detachment (virāga-saññā), contemplation of cessation (nirodha-saññā), contemplation on the non-delightfulness of the whole world (sabbaloke anabhirata-saññā), contemplation on the non-pleasantness of the whole world (sabbasaṅkhāresu aniṭṭha-saññā) and mindfulness of in- and out-breathing (anāpānasati).