Abstract
In Thailand Dr. Jivaka is considered as the source and authority of Thai-Massage and as the founder of the traditional Thai-medicine (TTM). He was the physician in ordinary of king Bimbisara (540 to 490 B.C.).
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Dr. Jivaka Komarabhacca or Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, also called Shivago Kumarpaj, is considered the source and authority of Thai-Massage all over Thailand and also is seen as the founder of the Buddhist Thai-medicine. Numerous ancient documents describe his extraordinary medical abilities and his knowledge of herbal medicine as well as his treatment of prominent people.[1] But today there are no texts of him left over.[2] Who was this man?
From his name can be seen that he was born as a child of a courtesan and was left alone by his mother. He got adopted by king Bimbisara but ran away from his court to learn medicine.[3] He studied in the university city of Taxila, which was famous for its medical faculty and probably was the most famous of all medical schools in India at that time.[4] Dr. Jivakas teacher, according to reports in Sanskrit and Tibetan language, was the legendary Atreya who already noticed Jivaka as being extraordinarily gifted during the admission exams.[5]
After seven years of studies Dr. Jivaka was working as an ayurvedic doctor moving around through the country and establishing a reputation as a surgeon as well as a paediatrician. He performed many operations, including surgical sections of the abdominal wall (laparotomies) as well as trephinations of the skull.[6] He was considered the most famous medical practitioner of his time.[7] His medical system was made up of four major components:
- Massage
- herbal medicine
- diet and
- spiritual cures
- Cf. Haddad (2003), p. 1
- Cf. Mulholland (1979), p. 105
- Cf. Beyer (1917), p. 1
- Cf. Zysk (1998), p. 46
- Cf. Stürner (2001), p. 26
- Cf. Stürner (2001), p. 26
- Cf. Zysk (1998), p. 43
- Cf. Stürner (2001), p. 25
Bibliography
Beyer, C. (1917): About Siamese Medicine. In: Journal of the Siam Society 1/1917. P. 1-9.
Haddad, B. (2003): To the Source. Studying Thai Yoga Massage in Northern Thailand. In: Massage & Bodywork 2003.
Mulholland, J. (1979): Thai Traditional Medicine: Ancient Thought and Practice in a Thai Context. In: Journal of the Siam Society 2/1979. P. 80-115.
Stürner, E. (2001): Nuad. Die traditionelle Thai Massage. München 2001.
Zysk, K. G. (1998): Asceticism and healing in Ancient India. Medicine in the Buddhist Monastery. Indian Medical Tradition Vol. 2. 2. Ed. Delhi 1998.
