Dr. Jivaka: The Buddha’s Doctor

He inspires us to care for the sick

Way back in 2006, I posted an entry describing a ceremony related to the Hospital’s medical mascot and inspiration, Dr. Jivaka.  Unfortunately, because of technical issues, that post is no longer available on the web, but a screen shot is.  If you want to see what I had to say in that article, you will find its screen shot at the end of this entry.

Dr. Jivaka was the Buddha’s doctor along with the physician for many other important people during his time.  He lived during the late 5th century.  His story reads a bit like the one for Moses, as it seems they both started up in a basket or a box as babies.  Here is an excerpt of his life’s story from the Buddha Dharma Education Society:

“Jivaka was the most celebrated doctor in India during the Buddha’s time. Immediately after his birth, Jivaka was placed in a wooden box and thrown away by his mother, a courtesan, on a rubbish heap beside the road. 

The same morning baby Jivaka was abandoned, Prince Abhaya, a son of King Bimbisara, happened to pass by the rubbish dump on his way to the palace. When the prince discovered that the baby was still alive, he was moved by compassion and ordered it to be brought up as his adopted son.

When he grew up, Jivaka studied medicine for seven years under a famous teacher. Soon his unusual skill as a physician and a surgeon became known. He was called upon to treat kings and princes, including King Bimbisara himself. But of all the distinguished people Jivaka attended to, his greatest pleasure was to attend to the Buddha, which he did three times a day.

Jivaka helped in many ways. When Devadatta threw down a rock splinter and injured the Buddha’s foot, it was Jivaka who healed him.

Realising the advantages of having a monastery close to his house, Jivaka built one in his mango garden. He invited the Buddha and his disciples to the monastery, offered alms and donated the monastery to the Buddha and the monks. After the blessing ceremony of this monastery, Jivaka attained the first stage of sainthood (sotapanna).

Later, when King Ajatasattu asked him where he could go for religious discussions, Jivaka brought him to see the Buddha. Although the king had killed his father under the evil advice of Devadatta, King Ajatasattu became a distinguished lay follower of the Buddha and supported the First Buddhist Council after the Buddha’s death.”

Our hospital has always had a huge statue of Dr. Jivaka located on the campus, as a sign that the organization, with a mission to take care of the sick, particularly those people who are poor, looks to Dr. Jivaka for inspiration.  The ideal has always been to work on patients with the same spirit, expertise and care that Dr. Jivaka used while taking care of the Buddha.  That inspiration continues to drive the organization’s approach to patent care and eduction.

The original post on Dr. Jivaka follows: