San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Np 30The Five Tonics
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhesajja
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Explanation of the Discourse on the Five Medicines (Bhesajja Sutta)
Background
The Discourse on the Five Medicines (Bhesajja) appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Khandhaka section of the Vinaya, where regulations on the lifestyle of the Sangha are recorded. This is not a sermon discourse but an important part of the rules of communal life, reflecting the Blessed Buddha’s care and understanding of the basic needs of practitioners.
The background of the event concerns bhikkhus who fell ill and lacked suitable means of treatment. The Blessed Buddha recognized that the body of a practitioner also needs care so that the practitioner can continue on the path of practice. Therefore, he prescribed the kinds of food and medicine permitted for use in the Sangha, balancing asceticism with the protection of health.
Main Content
The five medicines (Pañca-bhesajja) are substances permitted for curing illness and maintaining health: oil seed, cat hair, horse hair, goat hair, and plant fiber. In addition to these, the discourse also lists other foods and supports such as oil, butter, honey, and sugar. These are regarded as “medicine” (bhesajja), not ordinary food, and therefore do not violate the precepts concerning meals.
The basic principle is that what is permitted as medicine should be used only when needed to cure illness, not to satisfy pleasure or prolong comfort. The purpose is to remove sickness, not to nourish the body in a pleasurable way. This is a profound expression of the philosophy of Buddhist practice: accepting essential needs without attachment.
The Vinaya Piṭaka also prescribes the conditions under which these medicines may be used, especially in relation to the period for taking supplements (bhesajja-kāla), that is, specific times in the year when bhikkhus are permitted to consume them to maintain health. This shows that the Blessed Buddha cared not only about theoretical understanding but also about the practicality of practice.
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