Buzz
Pham Ban, an external ancestor of Ho Nguyen Trung, was a skilled doctor with a 'hereditary medical profession' holding the position of Thai y commander under the reign of Tran Anh Tong (1293 - 1314). He was a highly esteemed and compassionate healer. Instead of accumulating wealth, he invested in purchasing quality medicines and stocked rice to treat and help people. He did not shy away from the suffering of patients, providing treatment until they were healthy, refusing to take any payment. In the medical advice of Fisherman's Technique, we encounter another benevolent medical practitioner:
Even a beggar is born with a fate,
Illness remains curable, medicine is given without debate.
(Nguyen Dinh Chieu)
Insights into the story of the skilled doctor primarily revolve around the noble heart.
In this manner, we have suggested Reflection on the story The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart for the next article. Students can explore Thoughts on the character Doctor Quan Thai Pham Ban in The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart and along with the section Creative storytelling of The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart to better study Vietnamese Literature.
2. Reflection on the story The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart, Example 2:
In life, everyone needs a profession for labor, livelihood, and to serve, support others. Whatever profession one chooses, it must have ethics. However, there are two professions that demand the highest ethics: teaching and medicine. The ethics of a doctor is called medical ethics. In our country's history, famous doctors have emerged who upheld medical ethics. These include Tue Tinh, Le Huu Trac,...
Reading the story The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart by Ho Nguyen Trung (in the collection Southern Dreams Diary), we learn about another esteemed doctor: Pham Ban, holding the position of Doctor Quan Thai under the Tran dynasty. Through a succinct narrative style, the author introduces and praises a role model of a true doctor, skilled in the profession and rich in compassion. The story comprises three parts, each highlighting the virtues of Doctor Quan Thai and some related individuals.
1. Section one: From the beginning to... 'admired by his contemporaries': Introduces the general name, position, and medical ethics of Doctor Quan Thai. What impresses readers the most is the vast humanitarian spirit, love for the profession, and the wholehearted dedication to the doctor's craft.
He dedicated all his wealth to buying medicine and rice to both heal the sick and rescue the hungry. Faced with patients, he hesitated at nothing. Whether it was filthy with blood and pus, infectious diseases, the poor, the destitute,... whoever came to him, he would 'treat until they were healthy.' He personally spent money to build additional houses, now called hospitals for the sick. Thousands of people facing calamities were saved by him... The author gently summarizes the deeds, behavior, and outcomes of the honorable Doctor Quan Thai, portraying a genuine doctor who loves his profession and cares for humanity. No direct comments or observations are made, but the writer subtly expresses deep respect and admiration for the esteemed Doctor Pham. Even today, after reading the last sentence 'admired by his contemporaries,' we want to bow down in awe of that renowned doctor.
Reflection on the story The Skilled Doctor's Essence at the Heart to understand the medical ethics and heart of Pham Ban
2. Section two: From 'One time...' to 'worthy of our heartfelt wishes': Narrates a suspenseful situation where the medical ethics of Doctor Quan Thai are tested and displayed at their highest and noblest.
Circumstances unfolded with three simultaneous events.
a) First event: A critically ill patient, a woman 'bleeding profusely with a pale face,' urgently needs a doctor. Upon hearing the news and invitation from the patient's family, the physician promptly rushes to the scene. It is a responsible action of a dedicated doctor.
b) Second event: Just as he reaches the door, the doctor encounters the king's messenger with news: The king summons him to the palace to treat an aristocrat - an esteemed person suffering from a fever. A tense situation arises. On one side is a critically ill woman, on the other is an aristocrat who is sick. Both need the attention of Doctor Quan Thai, but their conditions differ, as do their wealth, poverty, social status, and... fortune. There's a folk saying: 'A poor family's precious is not as valuable as a princess's torn finger.' A regular doctor would likely hesitate in this situation. However, Doctor Quan Thai, without any hesitation, decides to save the common woman first, then go to the palace. For him, whoever is more seriously ill needs to be rescued first, regardless of other conditions. This attitude and choice are correct, and many genuine doctors often act similarly. However...
c) Third event: The envoy Trung Su - a person from the court comes to summon Doctor Quan Thai to the palace and expresses dissatisfaction: 'Why act in such a way? Do you intend to save someone's life without saving your own?' The tension increases. The official puts forth a new choice before the doctor. If he prioritizes treating the common people first, he may be accused of disrespecting the lives of aristocrats, opposing the king's decree, and could face punishment, imprisonment, or even... execution. Two lives are put on the scales: the lives of the common people and the life of the physician. The two tasks require the doctor to choose one: saving the patient's life or preserving his own life? The envoy Trung Su does not explain or persuade but uses two consecutive questions as if wanting to use authority to force the doctor to follow him to the palace, urging the sincere doctor to abandon the common people to treat the aristocrat, sacrificing the fragile life of the patient to save his own life. However, Doctor Quan Thai decisively responds: 'If the other person is not saved, they will die in an instant, and I don't know where to turn. The life of a humble servant still relies on the mercy of the supreme deity... I'll bear my sins.' So, he firmly chooses the task of healing without trying to protect his title, status, or his own life. His decision is to save the patient without fearing authority, disregarding his own life. His words are both firm and upright: 'I'll bear my sins,' and cleverly gentle: 'The life of a humble servant still relies on the mercy of the supreme deity.' He is indeed a genuine doctor who cares for the poor, upholds medical ethics, and is a person I deeply respect and trust in the king. The final outcome is... exceptionally splendid. The critically ill woman is saved, and Doctor Quan Thai receives praise from the king. One task with just one but twofold, threefold effectiveness.
The noble heart and courage of the skilled doctor are truly admirable and deserving of immense respect. He lived in kindness, met the wise king, bringing blessings to our nation at that time.
3. The third part: Concluding the story, the author summarizes the fame, prosperity inherited, and the ethics upheld by Doctor Quan Thai's descendants.
Similar writing style to the first part, creating a harmonious and balanced structure. The conclusion radiates a gentle and profound philosophy. As parents sow seeds, so do the offspring reap the fruits. Doctor Quan Thai lived a life of moral virtue, selflessly saving lives without fearing authority, earning the love and gratitude of the people, and earning the respect of the king. His descendants, following his example, reaped abundant blessings in life. The moral instruction of the story, from beginning to end, is complete, vividly illustrating the outstanding characteristics of medieval tales. Through the narrative style, focusing on a few intense situations to reveal the characters, the story 'The Virtuous Doctor at Heart' praises the noble qualities of Doctor Quan Thai of the Pham family in the Tran Dynasty: not only possessing medical skill but, more importantly, having compassion and determination to save patients to the extent of not fearing authority or personal risk. Reading this story, connecting it with the story of the famous physician Tue Tinh, and referring to some verses by Nguyen Dinh Chieu: 'Seeing someone in pain, like feeling my own pain, Whoever can save, hurry to heal. A beggar is born to be poor, But in sickness, everyone deserves help.' and the oath of the physician Hippocrates: 'I will not demand an excessive fee and will care for the poor for free,' we understand that there are many doctors in the world who uphold medical ethics. Our ancestors were like that. The present generation will undoubtedly follow suit. The medical ethics of our doctors, nurses, and pharmacists... are truly respectable and trustworthy!
3. Impression of the story 'The Virtuous Doctor at Heart,' sample 3:
From ancient times until now, our ancestors have always passed down the saying: 'A doctor is like a second mother.' In every profession, there are unique qualities, and for the medical profession, it is the invaluable qualities that are the foundation of the lives of those compassionate hearts, the doctors, who embody both the knowledge and the love of those caring for the sick.
The story 'The Virtuous Doctor at Heart' was written around the 15th century by Ho Nguyen Trung of the Ho Quy Ly era to praise a skilled and compassionate doctor. The tale celebrates the qualities of Doctor Pham Ban, a physician who devoted himself to the people, forgetting himself to save lives despite the authority of the king and the dangers to his own life.
The story has an extremely rich structure with tightly interconnected elements. Doctor Pham Ban, an excellent physician, wholeheartedly dedicated himself to healing the poor. He used all his resources to purchase medicine for the people. In addition to buying medicine, he also stockpiled food to provide relief for the hungry, offering shelter and medical care for the poor without expecting any repayment. He helped thousands of people overcome illness and poverty.
Short Impression of the story 'The Virtuous Doctor at Heart'
The saying 'A physician should be a role model' is often mentioned when discussing doctors. This has long been considered a fundamental aspect of medical ethics, as the medical profession is unique and demands not only expertise but also moral character to be a respected physician. 'The Skillful Physician Lies in the Heart' further emphasizes the crucial role of a compassionate heart in the medical profession.
In the story, Doctor Pham, a member of the Pham family, demonstrates that money is not the primary concern in medical care. He used all his wealth to purchase good medicine and stockpile rice. When encountering the sick and needy, he provided shelter, meals, and medical treatment. Regardless of severe illnesses, he never hesitated to help. Patients left his care healthy. His purpose was not accumulation of wealth but accumulation of virtue. During times of famine and disease, Pham Ban built additional houses to accommodate the poor, hungry, and sick. He healed over a thousand people, turning his home into a benevolent hospital. Clearly, he was a valuable figure in society, compassionate and selfless, qualities not every physician possesses.
Sample essay My Reflection on the story 'The Skillful Physician Lies in the Heart.'
It wasn't just about using personal resources to provide medical care; he also risked his own life to preserve the lives of his patients. When a person in the royal court fell ill, seeking his treatment elevated his status, making him a person of importance. This wasn't just an honor; it was an opportunity for advancement. Furthermore, as a royal physician, he couldn't defy the king's orders, risking his life at any moment. Yet, he resolutely prioritized treating a critically ill woman over a fever-stricken court member, arguing that her need was more urgent. He didn't worry much about his own life but expressed concern for the patient facing imminent death. He didn't ignore the common people, even in such a situation. While choosing the person entering the court may have been typical, he was not an ordinary physician but one with a broad heart. He understood that medical care should not be hierarchical, valuing everyone's life equally. Therefore, later on, the king had to pardon and reward him because he truly was a rare compassionate healer.
