Pre-Existing Conditions in the time of the Buddha

Now at that time five diseases were prevalent among the people of Magadha : leprosy, boils, eczema, consumption, epilepsy.' People, afflicted with the five diseases, having approached Jivaka Komarabhacca, [the King's physician] spoke thus : "It were good, teacher, if you would attend us."

"But I, masters, am very busy, there is much to be done, and King Seniya Bimbisara of Magadha is to be looked after by me, also the women's quarters and the Order of monks with the awakened one at its head. I am not able to attend you."

"All this property shall become yours, teacher, and we will be your slaves. It were good, teacher, if you would attend us."

"But I, masters, am very busy . . . I am not able to attend you."

Then it occurred to these people : "These recluses, sons of the Sakyans [the Buddha's clan], are of pleasant character, of pleasant conduct; having eaten good meals, they lie down on beds sheltered from the wind. Suppose we were to go forth among the recluses, sons of the Sakyans? In that case monks would look after us and moreover Jivaka Komarabhacca would attend us." Then these people, having approached (some) monks, asked for the going forth. The monks let them go forth, they ordained them. These monks looked after them and moreover Jivaka Komarabhacca attended them.

Now at that time monks, looking after many ill monks, lived intent on asking, intent on hinting, saying : "Give food for the sick, give food tor those who look after the sick, give medicines for the sick." And Jivaka Komarabhacca, attending many ill monks, omitted some of his duties towards the king.

A certain man, afflicted with the five diseases, having approached Jivaka Komarabhacca, spoke thus : "It were good, teacher, if you would attend me."

"But I, master, am very busy . . . I am not able to attend you." . . .

Then it occurred to that man : "Now these recluses, sons of the Sakyans are of pleasant character . . . Suppose I were to go forth among the recluses, sons of the Sakyans? In that case monks would look after me and moreover Jivaka Komarabhacca would attend me; and when I am well I will leave the Order."

Then that man, having approached (some) monks, asked for the going forth. These monks let him go forth, they ordained him. These monks looked after him and moreover Jivaka Komarabhacca attended him. When he was well he left the Order. Jivaka Komarabhacca saw that man who had left the Order; seeing him, he spoke thus to that man : "Had not you, master, gone forth among the monks?"

"Yes, teacher."

"Then why have you, master, acted in this way [i.e. left the order]?" Then this man told this matter to Jivaka Komarabhacca.

Jivaka Komarabhacca looked down upon, criticised, spread it about, saying : "How can these honoured sirs let one affiicted with the five diseases go forth?" Then Jivaka Komarabhacca approached the Lord ; having approached, having greeted the Lord, he sat down at a respectful distance. As he was sitting down at a respectful distance, Jivaka Komarabhacca spoke thus to the Lord : "It were well, Lord, if the masters did not let one affiicted with (any one of) the five diseases go forth."

The Lord then gladdened, rejoiced, roused, delighted Jivaka Komarabhacca with talk on dhamma. Then Jivaka Komarabhacca, gladdened . . . delighted by the Lord with talk on dhamma, rising from his seat, having greeted the Lord, departed keeping his right side towards him. Then the Lord, on this occasion, in this connection, having given reasoned talk, addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks, one affiicted with (any one of) the five diseases should not be let go forth. Whoever should let (one such) go forth, there is an offence of wrong-doing."

(Mahāvagga, trans. I.B. Horner, pp.89-91)