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Significance of Sick

The term "Sick" encompasses various meanings across different spiritual and cultural frameworks. In Vaishnavism and Dharmashastra, it pertains to individuals experiencing health issues, emphasizing their respect and significance. Theravada views being sick as an integral part of life, allowing Bhikkhus to temporarily lay aside their robes for health. Historically in India, the sick were not only healed and cared for in religious settings but also represented compassion, with figures like Sundari providing essential care. Overall, the sick are regarded with dignity and compassion across contexts.1
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Synonyms: Ill, Infirm, Diseased, Poorly

In Dutch: Ziek; In Finnish: Sairas; In Spanish: Enfermo; In Malay: Sakit; In Swedish: Sjuk; In German: Krank; In French: Malade

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Sick'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Sick" signifies a legitimate reason for Bhikkhus to set aside their robes due to health, reflects the universal experience of illness alongside birth and death, and is used by individuals like Salavati to navigate personal circumstances discreetly.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga

(1) A term used by Salavati to describe herself in order to avoid unwanted attention during her pregnancy.[1] (2) One of the five reasons permitting a Bhikkhu to lay aside their robe, suggesting that health considerations may override usual practices.[2]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life

(1) The condition of being unwell, which is a part of the human experience along with birth and death.[3]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Sick'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Sick" encompasses ill individuals, including children and the elderly, emphasizing respect and kindness towards those experiencing health issues, highlighting their significance in the spiritual authority of Akasha.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Individuals who are ill and deserving of respect and kind treatment.[4] (2) Ill individuals, similar to children and the aged, regarded as significant in the authority of Akasha.[5]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Individuals who are unwell or experiencing health issues.[6]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu�).

The concept of Sick in local and regional sources

History Books

Sick pertains to individuals in need of compassion and care, as exemplified by Sundari's home serving as a hospital and the Brihatkalpa-bhashya emphasizing a monk's urgent response to assist the ailing.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) The sick refers to people who were healed at the place where Oswald died, highlighting the miraculous nature of the location.[7] (2) These are the people that priests and clerks visited, along with preaching and baptizing, to care for their souls.[8]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) The sick should be cared for, and the Brihatkalpa-bhashya describes the eagerness with which a monk should drop everything else and rush to the patient.[9]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The sick are the people for whom Sundari's house becomes an hospital, and her actions are motivated by compassion.[10]