The Past, Present, and Future Implications for Buddhist Nursing in Japan: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the past, present, and future implications for Buddhist nursing in Japan through a review of literature. Using Ichushi-Web, the medical literature database in Japan, a search was undertaken for papers containing the keyword “Buddhist nursing,” resulting in 10 hits. These were carefully perused, contents extracted and then organized using the matrix method (Garrard, 2020). These were qualitatively described through discussions among five researchers. Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan in 538 CE, after which the practice of Chinese medicine began, also based on Buddhist thought. Japan’s oldest nursing book was written by the monk Ryochu around 1240 CE. From 1868, however, Buddhist nursing fell into disuse following Shinto’s establishment as the state religion. In 1885, nursing education began as a profession, and nurses began caring for the affluent. Terminal-stage patients have concerns about the meaning and purpose of life, as well as the afterlife, and Buddhist nursing is currently practiced in Vihara terminal care facilities. One problem, however, is that no system of certification of qualifications for Buddhist nurses presently exists. Nonetheless eight Buddhist nursing colleges or universities offer instruction in Buddhist nursing. Previous studies on Buddhist nursing have been insufficient to produce evidence. From a historical perspective in Japan, it is believed that the essence of Buddhism, which is “teachings to bring happiness to the living,” can be applied to nursing. We believe that Buddhist nursing can serve as one of the keys to solving nursing problems in a modern society that is fraught with difficulties.