On December 18th, Dr. Vargas-O'Bryan as a Fulbright Scholar delivered a speech which dealt with the interfacing of Asian Religions with Medicine and their Applications in the United States. There was a considerably big audience.
With Hinduism as an example, she deepened our understanding about the role of Asian religious and philosophical ideas in healing and medical traditions from four main aspects. Firstly, all one's actions had a crucial impact on one's afterlife. Secondly, one may no longer be sick after leaving from samsara and devoting oneself to a God. Thirdly, disease can be an indicator of God's blessing as well as curse. Fourthly, one's body can't last forever, while one's soul can be with God forever. In addition, she mentioned about Yoga and Ayurveda which were relatively familiar to students. Subsequently she introduced antidotes to the suffering of disease on the basis of tranquility meditation and insight meditation, which broadened students' mind.
Referring to the applications in America, she raised the issue of Buddhism as a case study placing emphasis on the importance of Asian religion when American people cope with disease. Diagrams, charts and pictures were shown to students.
In an interview, one student said, he was moved towards the mysterious religions because Dr. Vargas-O'Bryan gave her speech in a humorous and relaxed way.
It is known that Dr. Vargas-O'Bryan is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and International Studies at City University of Hong Kong teaching a course entitled "Religions and Society in Asia". She is also an Associate Professor of Asian Religious at Austin College in Texas, USA.
Written by Huang Shanqing
Photo by Lv Yaojia
Media and Communication Office
