佛敎와 四象醫學의 ‘醫’개념 -天台 止觀書와 李濟馬의 東醫壽世保元에 나타난 病因論을 중심으로-

Abstract

This article is designed as part of the research assignment in pursuit of the cure of body and mind through combined efforts to integrate Buddhism and medicine. The scope of this investigation is restricted to both Tiantai(天台)’s Theory of Medicine, which contains Buddhist opinions on medicine relatively clearly, and Lee Jema(李濟馬)’s Theory of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. To trace the medicinal bases of both theories, the present author compared the perspectives of the two theories as to the human body and the causes of disease. As to the perspectives on the human body, Tiantai presented his theory as follows: The karma, which is one’s actions, works as his ‘mind and its contents(心識)’. The karma, inherent in the Four Great Elements(四大) of the body, influences the formation of the five viscera (i.e., heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys) and the six entrails (i.e., gall bladder, stomach, small and large intestines, the paunch, the bladder and the bowels). Among these internal organs, Taoistic ‘Yin-Yang and Five Elements(陰陽五行)’ further function and influence the formation of the body. According to Lee Jema’s Dongui suse bowon (東醫壽世保元) The Korean Medicine for Long Life by Preserving Original Nature, He also advocated that in the formation of the internal organs, the Yin-Yang influences the length of the internal organs, and thus results in the Four Types of the bodies. The next topic is the causes of disease. Tiantai said that disease arises out of the disturbances to the body’s state of equilibrium. This is especially so when the Four Great Elements, which constitute our body, are out of harmony with each other, because the energy of the earth element, fire, water and wind becomes bigger or smaller. Not only that, there are other causes of disease like inability to control what one eats, karma, erroneous sitting meditation, the action of ghosts, and evil demons. On the contrary, Lee Jema brought forth the emotion-oriented causes of disease. From the Four Beginnings(四端) granted by heaven, according to Lee, emotions like ‘joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure(喜怒愛樂)’ and desires arise. These factors have an effect on the Sasang Constitutions(四象體質), while causing disharmony between the internal organs. This disharmony leads to the damage of the internal organs, and ends in disease. Tiantai demonstrates ethical aspects, in the formation of the human body, by listing specific standards of good and evil actions which influence the formation of the human body. On the other hand, Lee Jema, in his discussion of the causes of disease, makes a close explanation of how changes in emotions like joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure cause organ disease. Consequently the author expects to be able to suggest some clues to the prevention and treatment of disease by interpenetrating both theories of medicine.