Parkinson's Disease: Etiology, Recovery, and Prevention

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as a neurological disorder with no known cure in modern medicine. While scientific research has advanced diagnostic methods and symptom management strategies, the underlying causes of PD remain elusive. From a Buddhist perspective, particularly through the teachings of Dharma Master Jun Hong Lu, PD is understood as a karmic and spiritual illness rather than merely a neurological disorder. This study explores the connection between karmic debts, spirit disturbances, and the manifestation of PD symptoms. Through case studies, we demonstrate that patients practicing Golden Buddhist Practices—such as making vows, reciting Buddhist scriptures, and performing life liberation—have experienced significant improvements and, in some cases, complete recovery. These findings suggest that PD is not inherently irreversible and that addressing its spiritual root causes can lead to effective healing. Integrating Buddhist wisdom with conventional medical approaches could provide new insights into treating PD and other intractable diseases. Based on our findings, we propose that PD be redefined as a prevalent yet curable karmic and spiritual disease, characterized by pathological changes such as neurodegeneration, including the loss of dopaminergic neurons and abnormal alpha-synuclein aggregation.