佛教史话：唐诗中的医僧

History and Story on Chinese Buddhist Doctor from Poetry of the Tang

摘要: 医僧作为一个特殊的群体，最早出现于东汉末年；“医僧”之称谓则始自唐代。本文以唐诗为史料，分析唐代医僧之概况。结果表明：唐代医僧大多以本土汉僧为主体；其治疗手段主要有手术、针灸、药疗、食疗四种，且疗效颇佳；他们还从事药事活动，如中药种植、中药采摘、药材加工与烹制、药材贮藏；此外，还从事慈善活动，并传播与传承中医学。总之，医僧对唐代社会贡献颇大，得到社会大众的感恩和信任，医患关系非常和谐。从其外貌和神态分析，他们大多活得自在、快活。

Abstract: As an ancient religious group, Chinese medical Buddhist monk has emerged since Eastern-Han Dynasty in China. This group was formally named in Tang Dynasty and well recorded in some ancient books such as Poetry of the Tang. The present study, however, tries to describe and analyze it based on Poetry of the Tang. It was found that Chinese medical Buddhist monks in Tang Dynasty mostly were local Han Chinese, and minor of them were foreigners. They usually used traditional Chinese medicine to treat the patients, and the therapeutic tools included operation, acupuncture, pharmacotherapy, and food therapy. Most of the treatments have been reported to be effective. In addition, they also devoted themselves to Chinese Herbal Medicinal planting, collecting, processing, decocting, and storage. Some of them were also engaged in charitable activities, medical communication, and medical heritage. In short, Chinese medical Buddhist monks have greatly contributed to ancient China in Tang Dynasty. Therefore, they were highly trusted and honored. The so-called “doctor-patient relationship” in Tang Dynasty was thought to be very harmonious. From their appearance described in the Poetry of the Tang, they were believed to be happy and free from vulgarity.