The Philosophical Underpinnings of Epidemics in Buddhist Literature

This paper investigates the representation of epidemics in Buddhist literature and their underlying philosophical significance. While modern pandemics such as COVID-19 raise questions of suffering, responsibility, and resilience, Buddhist texts also contain accounts of plagues and responses to them. Drawing upon canonical and post-canonical sources including the Avadānaśataka, Avadānakalpalatā, Bhaiṣajyavastu, and related Jātakas. This study examines narratives where the Buddha and bodhisattvas confront epidemic outbreaks. The methodology combines textual analysis of Buddhist literature with a focus on the doctrines of karuṇā (compassion), karma, citta-cetasika psychology, and pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination). The findings reveal that these accounts not only preserve historical memory of crises but also serve as vehicles for transmitting Buddhist philosophical insights: compassion as a moral response, karma as an explanatory framework, mindfulness as a corrective practice, and dependent origination as a model of causality. Rather than offering medical prescriptions, the texts frame epidemics as opportunities for moral reflection and spiritual practice. The study concludes that Buddhist philosophy, rooted in these narratives, provides enduring lessons for resilience and ethical responsibility in times of crisis.