medicine and medical treatment; various remedies
Literary or formal term for medicine and medical care collectively. Often used in set phrases like 薬石効なく (despite all medical efforts).
Despite all medical treatment, he passed away.
supper in a Zen temple; rice porridge served as supper in a Zen temple
Buddhist term. Refers to the evening meal in a Zen monastery, originally a medicinal porridge, now a light supper. Not used in everyday contexts.
In a Zen temple, rice porridge is taken as the evening meal.
no medical treatment having proved effective
Compound of 薬 (medicine) and 石 (stone, referring to ancient mineral remedies). The Zen meal sense derives from the idea of food as medicine.