Illness is Ordinary and Natural

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

Illness ought to be seen as natural occurrences for all physical saṅkhāras (bodies), whether humans or other animals, because saṅkhāras undergo change.* Whenever there is change, it can be up or down. Upward change feels comfortable and healthy. Downward change creates illness. When physical saṅkhāras get successively older, most of the change is painful and ill. This fact needs to be seen as it truly is: all saṅkhāras are just like this. In short, pain and illness are normal and natural for physical saṅkhāras.

(*) Here, the context suggests the common understanding of saṅkhāras as physical bodies. Usually, Tan Ajahn uses the term in its universal meaning (all conditioned things) or specific meanings as found in paṭiccasamuppāda teachings. Here, he doesn't specify physical saṅkhāras but his audience probably understood saṅkhāras to be 'bodies.'

(From 'Dharma for Ordinary Sick People,' a talk addressed to a general audience, many of whom were in their elder years. At the same time, July 1982, Tan Ajahn's own health was up and down. Translated from the Thai by Santikaro Upasaka.)

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Photograph from the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives collection (C09191)