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buddhists: medication

pain relief

One of the Five Precepts of Buddhist tradition states: 'I undertake to abstain from intoxicants which cloud the mind', which for individual Buddhists might include some medicines. Some Buddhists may therefore refuse to take medications that include alcohol.

As Buddhist tradition also uses psychosomatic techniques such as meditation to ease pain, this may be a preferred option for pain relief.

If possible, vegetarian medicines should be offered as many Buddhists have a vegetarian diet to live by another of the Five Precepts: 'I undertake to abstain from taking life'.

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