Buddhist Healing Techniques

1. Buddhist Healing Techniques Buddhist healing techniques are considered as one of the first “world medicines”. Ayurveda existed long before Buddha in the timeline. Buddhism absorbed all previous and prevalent culture and medicine. Buddhist approaches to healing were spread by famed South Asian healer-monks who worked as missionaries, translators, and advisers across world. Sokushin Do (Japanese) / Padabhyangam Therapy Sokushindo (Zhak She Dao / Chinese) is the oldest tradition of foot massage and reflexology in the Orient. "Soku" means foot or leg. "Shin" means heart, center, core, the most important part of something. "Do" means way and indicates a complete discipline. Sokushindo has its origins in India. According to tradition, it was taught by the Buddha who created a foot reflexology chart along with foot massage methods. Shortly after his ascension, a stone image was carved of his foot reflexology chart and other teachings. The picture you see here is of a stone-carved image over 2000 years old of Buddha's feet held within the Yakushi Temple in Japan. It is not know who actually carved the original image. May have been Buddha himself. The core theory of Sokushin Do is mainly based of the meanings of these symbols. Around 40 B.C. Buddhism entered China by travelers who brought with them large amounts of knowledge. This included the science of

2. Buddha's feet. Slowly this foot science was combined with Chinese medical concepts such as Yin-Yang, five element theory, meridians, acupoints, oriental diagnosis methods, etc. The oldest reference in China to Buddha's feet is from the Nan Ching Yellow Emperor’s Classic Of Internal Medicine where it was referred to as Kanshi Ho (foot diagnosis method). It is thought that Buddha's feet entered into Japan around the 5th and 6th century along with warrior monks who brought with them a great many sciences and shared these teachings which found a home in Japanese culture. These monks taught at temples in Japan and it became a standard that one had to study medicine for 7 years before one could practice at a temple. Dr. Kada 華佗 (Hua Tuo, Yuanhua) Kada developed the use of anesthesia, a tradition of surgery, and taught the Chi Gung methods know as the frolics of the five animals. Butsu Soku Seki 2000 Year Old Buddha's Footprint Stones Yakushi Temple, Japan Ayurveda illustrates that different parts of the feet correspond to different organs in the body. The feet have pressure points called “marma”. These are the energy centers that run throughout the body. When pressed, it triggers the circulatory energies in the liver, kidneys, stomach, neck, heart, head, and other organs. In Ayurveda, five marmas (vital areas) out of 107 marmas are located in each foot and they also contain many nerve endings. Padabhyanga helps release all the negative energy from these marmas and contributes to good health and well-being. It is safe to say that Padabhyanga directly influences the subconscious nature while simultaneously providing a psychological cleansing effect.

3. There are multiple health benefits of this therapy:  Padabhyanga relieves stiffness, dryness, and numbness of the leg and foot  Offers sturdiness and stability to the foot and limbs  Promotes healthy eyesight and hearing senses  Prevents/cures sciatica through enhanced blood circulation and improved peripheral circulation  Prevents foot ailments and relieves contraction of muscles, ligaments, and vessels of the feet  Prevents cracks in the foot and leaves the feel looking healthier and attractive  Padabhyanga reduces stress, calm the mind, and allows a rejuvenated mind and body  Relaxes and revitalizes the central nervous system  Removes fatigue from the lower limbs and improves quality of sleep  Activates metabolism, cures headaches, and prevents onset of degeneration Helps to calm and maintain the “Vata Dosha” which in excess is considered the main cause of major illnesses  Provides overall immunity to the body Conditions that are holistically treated in Padabhyanga include:  Hypertension  Hemiplegia and paraplegia  Insomnia  Depression  Epilepsy  Diabetic neuropathy  Anxiety  Sprains, cramps, and numbness of the feet and legs  Roughness and cracking of the feet

4. Third Chakra: Nabhi Chi Nei Tsang is the centuries-old practice of abdominal massage. First used by Taoist monks to help detoxify and strengthen their bodies, it seeks to work the energy of the internal organs in order to improve physical and emotional health. Chi Nei Tsang stems from the belief that unresolved emotional issues are stored in the digestive system, and when left unchecked can lead to illness and disease. What's more, it turns out that the noninvasive treatment can be beneficial to health in so many ways beyond digestion. It's used to treat an array of health concerns—particularly those related to the stomach, but it can also benefit overall wellbeing and comfort. There are miraculous results noted in historical writings of Tibet region.

5. Appealing to the gods: Bhujangasana Share on Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose exercise is an important part of Surya Namaskar. It is a form of Ashtanga yoga that helps to open up the energy chakras. Bhujangasana helps to work on 4 out of 7 chakras, namely, the Svadhisthana Chakra, the Manipura Chakra, the Anahata Chakra and the Visuddhi Chakra. Practicing Bhujangasana with opened eyes can help to improve vision. As you look upwards while performing the asana, it stretches and stimulates your optical nerves thus helping to improve vision. This Asana is most common amongst monks and yoga gurus. Benefits of Bhujangasana  Elevates mood  Soothes sciatica  Improves digestion and helps to get rid of constipation  Increases flexibility  Invigorates the heart  Stimulates the thorax  Relieves fatigue and stress  Tones and firms the buttocks  Improves menstrual irregularities  Strengthens the shoulders and arms  Helps to significantly reduce belly fat  Helps to remove the symptoms of asthma  Strengthens the spine thus making it more flexible  Stimulates organs in abdomen, such as the kidneys  Decreases sensations of stiffness in the lower back area  Stimulates the reproductive, urinary and digestive systems  Helps to effectively regulate metabolism as well as balance the weight  It stretches and tones the muscles in the chest, shoulders and the abdominals  Opens the chest thereby makes it possible to clear passages of the lungs and heart  Improves the circulation of oxygen and blood, especially throughout pelvic and spinal regions

6. NASYAM Nasyam Ayurvedic treatment cleanses, purifies and strengthens the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe fully and easily again. Due to its many benefits Nasyam is a recommended remedy for congestion, allergies, sinusitis, headaches, migraine, cervical spondylosis, hair fall, premature greying of hair, rhinitis and other nasal infections. This therapy is practiced for treating the illness in the head region. During the process, medicated oil is administered through the nose for a specific time period. This is followed by steam inhalation, which is used in order to melt and relieve the mucus from the sinus passage. There are many textual evidences about Monks using Nasyam therapy for treating diseases. Benefits :-  Pain Management : Nasyam is beneficial in treatment of headaches, Migraine and cervical Spondylosis. Medicated oils or powders stimulate the some vital centers of brain that reduce pain perception.  Stress Reduction : It includes administration of medicated drugs or oils through nostrils. It stimulates the vital centers of brain that regulate emotions.  De-Toxification : Nasyam is one of the panchakarmas and is indicated as an important Ayurvedic de-toxification therapy.  Skin & Hair Care : With regular treatment, Nasyam can improve skin complexion. It can also improve hair texture and prevent greying of hair.  Paralysis : As mentioned in Ayurveda nose is the opening to reach the brain, any medicine instilled in nasal cavity acts directly on brain.  Elderly Care : Ayurvedic Nasyam treatment can be used in disorders that develop with increasing age such as pain, paralysis, stress etc.  Immunity : Use of Immunity boosting herbs for Nasyam can be beneficial in people who show low Immunity.  Eye Care : Medications administered through nasal cavity act on the specific area of brain that are involved in regulating vision.  Mental Health : Medication administered through nasal cavity act on the specific area of brain to improve mood and emotions.

7. THIRD EYE CHAKRA Shiva’s Third Eye: the Yogic Dimension Shiva was working towards Yoga, which means he was not just working towards being complete, but towards being limitless. Shiva opened his third eye and saw Kama, his own lust, coming up and burnt it. The third eye refers to an eye which can see that which is not physical. If you look at your hand, you can see it because it stops and reflects light. You cannot see the air because it does not stop light. But if there was a little smoke in the air, you would be able to see it because you can see only that which stops light. You cannot see anything that allows light to pass through. This is the nature of the two sensory eyes. The sensory eyes are outward-oriented. The third eye is to see your interiority. The sensory eyes are deeply contaminated by karma. Karma means the residual memory of past actions. Everything that you see is influenced by this karmic memory. You cannot help it. If you look at someone, you will think, “He is nice, he is not nice, he is good, he is bad.” You will not be able to see anything the way it is because the karmic memory influences this vision and your ability to see. It will only show you everything the way your karma is, the way your past memories are. Meditation had been rooted in life journey of Monks and Gurus. Third Eye Chakra helped them to find answers to the most difficult Questions. Signs and symptoms of third eye chakra problems:-  Lack of faith in your purpose  Feeling pointless  Indecisiveness  Finding your work or life insignificant  Paranoia  Headaches (including migraines)  Eye discomfort  Back and leg pain  Sinus pain

8. Unblocking Your Third Eye:  Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Inhale and exhale ten times, slowly and deeply.  Focus your attention on the location of the third eye chakra, imagine a violet sphere of energy in the middle of your forehead. Remember, purple is the third eye chakra’s color.  As you continue to breathe slowly and deeply, picture the purple ball of energy getting bigger and warmer. As it does, imagine it purging negativity from your body. Think of yourself of absorbing the third eye chakra’s energy—allow yourself to feel it all over.  Open your eyes when you feel ready. Given the Ajna’s meaning, the third eye’s balance affects (and is affected by) all of the following things:  Your ability to form accurate gut feelings.  Your sense of the bigger picture in life.  Whether you meet goals related to your deepest purpose.  Balancing emotion and reason. Whether you feel you’re stagnant or moving forward. These Five Techniques will heal your life and connects you with nature to identify your Purpose on this earth and also helps you to explore your potential in a spiritual and healthier way. It will open the doors of new opportunities in your personal, professional and spiritual journey.