Buddhism health beliefs?


Question:
Do people who practice Buddhism for a religion have a different set of beliefs on health and medicine than say a Catholic would? Are there any limitations when it comes to health practices?

Answers:
In general, there is no difference in health belief. Buddhists do want to get well and do not have problems with vaccination, blood transfusion, medication, hospitalization and intensive care unit.
There may be some differences in philosophy however.
Buddha preached middle of the road which tends to be positive influence in public health. For example, ones are not supposed to eat only one type of food or too much or too little. Of course, they are not supposed to take any kinds of abusive drugs including tobacco, alcohol and addictive substances. Not unlike a few others, they are supposed to be reasonable at the end of life expecting that death is unavoidable. So when there is no hope, heroic or aggressive measures are not appropriate to prolong suffering.
The question of stem cells or technology using living human beings can be controversial similar to other religions. I think Buddhists will have a problem when living fetus or embryo is used for either research or future therapy.
I have a few buddhist friends and they dont have a different approach to medicine then anyone else, but Im sure there may be sects of Buddhism that have certain beliefs against practical medicine but I really don't know.


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