THAI ELEMENTS
by Sebastian Bruno
TRADITIONAL THAI MEDICINE
Thai Massage is one branch of the Great Tree of Traditional Thai Medicine.
This Tree has 5 major roots:
Internal Medicine, External Medicine, Oracular Sciences, Magic Practices and Buddhist Medicine.
These medicine roots are bound together by Thai Element Theory, the foundation of all Traditional Thai Medicine, and BuddhaDhamma, which pervades all aspects of cultural life in Thailand.
MEDICINAL DOCTOR
หมอยา (Mŏr Yaa) -
medicinal doctor/specialist
Using plant, animal and mineral material-based medicine.
MEDICINAL DOCTOR
SPIRIT DOCTOR
หมอผี (Mŏr Pii)
Mŏr = Doctor
Pii= Spirt
Practitioner of the magic arts. Working directly with spirits, ghosts, and handling the dead.
SPIRIT DOCTOR
MIDWIFE
หมอตำแย (mŏr dtam yae)
Prenatal and postpartum care of the mother and child, as well as medical childbirth assistance
MIDWIFE
BUDDHIST SCIENCES
พุทธศาสตร์ (Puttha Saht)
Puttha = the Thai pronunciation of the word Buddha
Saht = knowledge, study, science
Buddhism is seen as a system to eradicate all suffering, therefore this branch uses Buddhist principles applied to medicine.
BUDDHIST SCIENCES
DIVINATION
DIVINATION
หมอดู (Mŏr Duu) - Divinatory Doctor/Specialist
Including astrology, geomancy, numerology, tarot, and palmistry
TRADITIONAL THAI MEDICINE
Pâet păen boh-raan ( แพทย์แผนโบราณ)
The traditional medicinal system of Thailand. Based on ancient Thai and Khmer texts and royal traditions of medicine.
TRADITIONAL THAI
MEDICINE
MANUAL/THERAPY DOCTOR
MANUAL THERAPY DOCTOR
หมอนวด (Mŏr Nuad)
Mŏr= Doctor
Nuad= Massage/Therapy
Inclusive of many external body therapies, including many specialties listed in this site.
MEDICAL SCIENCES
เวชศาสตร์ (Wecha Saht)
Wecha = medicine knowledge
Saht = knowledge, study, science
This root includes the methods of preparation and administration of medicine using plant, animal, and mineral materials.
MEDICAL SCIENCES
ORTHOPEDIC/MANUAL SCIENCES
หัตถศาสตร์ (Hattha Saht)
Hattha= Hand/Manual
Saht= knowledge, study, science
It is in this branch that Thai Massage falls into, together with scraping (Guasha), bone-setting, cupping, herbal compresses, medicated oils, balms and liniments, and much more.
ORACULAR SCIENCES
โหราศาสตร์ (Hohraa Saht)
Hohraa= astrological chart
Saht= knowledge, study, science
This branch uses Palmistry, Numerology, and Vedic astrology in order to understand the planetary influence on a patient’s Elemental core constitution and predisposition for imbalances.
ORACULAR SCIENCES
MAGIC SCIENCES
ไสยศาสตร์ (Saiya Saht)
Saiya = magic
Saht = knowledge, study, science
This branch uses mantras, yantras, speels, incantations and invocations. It works with deities, demons, and ghosts in a variety of “animistic” and “ shamanistic” practices.
It is in this branch that we find Sak Yant, the spiritual tattooing practice.
MAGIC SCIENCES
THE ELEMENTS
SPACE
Experience: Unobstructedness
Function: Non-Resistance and Field of Activity
Qualities: Expansive, Subtle
Temperature: No temperature association
Number Association: 9
The element of Space provides the experience of unobstructedness, openness, and non-resistance, providing a field of activity for all the other elements to exist and act.
It is all-pervasive, from the vastness of outer space to the space in between the atoms.
In the body, it represents the natural spaces and cavities, particularly the orifices that connect the environment outside of the body with the environment inside of the body. Therefore the association with the number 9 ( 10 for women)
Parts of the body:
1&2- The eyes
3&4-The ears
5&6-The nostrils
7- The mouth
8-The anus
9-The urethra
10-The vagina
AAGAASA