It is worthwhile to throw some light on an
ancient king of Sri Lanka, who is described as a "Mind of Virtue and an
Ocean of Gems" in the Mahavamsa. Buddhadasa was a King of Anuradhapura, whose reign lasted from 341 to 370 AD. He was preceded by his
father Jettha Tissa and was
succeeded by his son Upatissa. King Buddhadasa is mentioned in the Mahavamsa as a house for compassion. His
rule was marked by the philosophy of Dasarajadharma
imposed by the Lord Buddha. The best
definition for his compassion over the animals is provided in the Mahavamsa as similar to a father’s mercy
to his son. The king was noted not only for his noble character but also for
his intelligence. He provided capital for the poor and he is specially noted
for his role as an expert physician.
The Mahavamsa
has it that king Buddhadasa
treated the generous men by hospitality, treated the vicious by disgrace while
treating the sick by medical treatments. However, king Buddhadasa exceeded the limits of nobility since he cured not only
humans but the animals, in particular, the snakes. Once he approached a snake
who was suffering from the stomach ache (Kusa rogaya). By noting the body, movements of the snake, the
king was able to find out the snake was sick. The king cured the snake in an
instant and while the due treatment was being processed, even the snake
remained still and avoided inflicting any harm upon the king. In this instance even,
the king understood that the animals were able to sense his compassion which
enabled him to treat the snake without any obstacle. The snake, getting to know
that its suffering has come to an end, in return offered its great crown to the
king.
Another instance in which his compassion
is reflected through his character is his encounter with a sick bhikkhu who was
found begging food and having received a dry meal and milk with worms got his
stomach bitten by the worms. The bhikkhu, put himself before the king and he
was made to vomit and the worms came out along with blood thus curing the monk.
Aside from his role as a physician, the king’s concern for the health of the
public is visible through his provisions of doctors to every village. He
assigned doctors even to the horses, tuskers, and to the army as well. He
composed a medical treatise called "Sarartha
Sangraha" which shows his inclination to literature.
The king had places built up on behalf of
the blind people and further the king practiced a habit of moving here and there
with his medicine at hand and treated the sick people wherever and whenever confronted
one. King Buddhadasa testifies the
existence of great physicians in the history of Sri Lanka whose role was
significant as a physician accompanied by compassion to both humans and
animals.
Mrs. Karunarathne,
University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka
References
Wimalajothi, Ven., (ed.), Mahavamsa, Buddhist cultural
center, Boralasgamuwa, 2003
0 comments:
Post a Comment