Tales from the Practice of Medicine: The Human Body

Dr. Li Defu

PureInsight | January 27, 2003

Most of the cases in my practice responded to the miracle of traditional Chinese medical treatments, but not all of them. In fact, many of the hard-to-treat illnesses were related to one's karma. How much karma one has accumulated in this and previous lives will decide how serious the illness is. As a medical doctor, although I clearly understand this relationship between the karma and the illness, I cannot tell others explicitly for it is very hard for me to explain and for others to accept. Therefore, I often recommend to my patients who have karma-related cases, that they read Zhuan Falun by Li Hongzhi, as he describes this concept well.

These days, morality is declining daily, and society is degenerating morally. Therefore, many strange illnesses emerge. Patients also want doctors who only treat surface symptoms and can make them feel better instantaneously. Even if the patient is deeply troubled by the serious illness, he still chooses the medicine that matches his taste, takes acupuncture only if this treatment doesn't cause him any pain, and sets the appointment only when he is free to come. The patient does not realize that his life will be gone soon.

The people in ancient times said, "Treasure the life before, when it hasn't been threatened; Cure the illness that is not yet an illness." This proverb talks about the same principle as that mentioned in another old Chinese saying, "Do not dig the well only after you feel thirsty."

Lao Zi said, "Latent trouble should be handled before it results in a big problem; the preventive measures should be taken before the disaster comes. The huge round tree comes from the little sprout; the high structure is built with basketful upon basketful of clay."

People run around all the time making a living for themselves, and their energy is consumed in an effort to satisfy their various personal feelings and desires. Their health gets worse and their hair grows gray day by day. Only after suffering illnesses do they seek medical treatment everywhere to save their lives. It is a pity, isn't it?

Lao Zi had a wonderful comment on this issue. He said: "As for the person who is self-possessed and has morality, his personality is as pure and soft as a baby. Poisonous insects do not bite him, vicious animals do not scratch him, and furious birds do not attack him. His bone and muscle are tender and flexible, however his grip is very firm. He can shout out loudly without having a rough voice, this is because he is very amiable and compassionate with others. The life essence and harmony are the foundations of a living being. The wise person understands this fundamental principle. Overly pursuing a comfortable life leads to disaster; being swayed by personal feelings under the control of personal desire results in stubbornness, which is opposite to gentleness and flexibility. All matter will head towards degeneration once it reaches a peak. If one willfully pursues the high without understanding this principle, he's not conforming to the requirement of the "Tao." He who does not conform to the requirement of the Tao will speed up his steps toward death."

People always say that the universe is everlasting and unchanging. The reason why the universe is everlasting is that the universe is selfless, and it has never existed for itself alone. If people could consider others, not seek fame and personal benefit, avoid lust and not get attached to money, tastes for things, or jealousy, then how could these illnesses come about? Therefore, people should follow the principle of the universe, and take it as the moral standard.

In the cultivation story of Milerepa [1], he said, " … For the people who have the blessings, virtues and predestined goodness, the human body is a precious vessel that enables them to cross the river of death, reach the other side and be released from tribulations! For the people who do evil deeds and commit crimes, this human body is an abyss that lures out people's bad desires." In other words, wherever people are going to go all depends on how they steer their ships.

[1] Milerepa: the founder of the White Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Translated from:
http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2002/12/28/19766.html

Add new comment