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/sciences:
Medical Sciences, Orthopedic Sciences, Oracular Sciences, Magic Sciences, and Buddhist Sciences.
These medical sciences 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.
SPIRIT DOCTOR
หมอผี (Mŏr Pii)
Mŏr = Doctor
Pii= Spirt
Practitioner of the magic arts. Working directly with spirits, ghosts, and handling the dead.
MIDWIFE
หมอตำแย (mŏr dtam yae)
Prenatal and postpartum care of the mother and child, as well as medical childbirth assistance
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.
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.
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/as medicine and can be looked at as the psychological branch of the all TTM system.
SPIRIT DOCTOR
หมอดู (Mŏr Duu) - Divinatory Doctor/Specialist
Practitioner of the magic arts. Working directly with spirits, ghosts, and handling the dead.
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.
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.
THE ELEMENTS
SPACE
AAGAASA
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