- Oath of the Hindu physician
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The oath of the Hindu physician, also known as the vaidya's oath, was an oath taken by Hindu physicians. It is dated from the 15th century BCE and requires physicians not to eat meat, drink, or commit adultery. Similar to the Hippocratic Oath, the vaidya's oath entreats physicians not to harm their patients and be solely devoted to their care,[1] even if this put their lives in danger.[2]
1) You must put behind you desire, anger, greed, folly, pride, egotism, jealousy, harshness, calumny, falsehood, sloth and improper conduct.
With short-cut nails, ritually clean and clad in the orange garment, you must be pledged to truth, and full of reverence in addressing me...
2) If, however, you behave perfectly, while I profess false views, I shall be guilty of sin and my knowledge shall bear me no fruit.
3) (after having finished your studies) with your medicaments you shall assist brahmins, venerable persons, poor people, women, ascetics, pious people seeking your assistance, widows and orphans and any one you meet on your errands, as if they were your own relatives. This will be right conduct.
See also
References
- ^ Alfred Gellhorn (1977). "Medical ethics - So what's the story?" (PDF). In Vitro 13 (10): 589. doi:10.1007/BF02615108. http://www.springerlink.com/content/h90371327602740m/fulltext.pdf. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
- ^ "Indiana Compensation Act for Patients" (PDF). Indiana State Medical Association. p. 6. http://ismanet.org/pdf/INCAP_White_Paper.pdf. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
External links
Categories:- Medical ethics
- Hindu traditions
- Oaths of medicine
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