The Origin of Human Beings According to the Art of Thai Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Thai traditional medicine records the origin of humans in Prathom-Jinda scripture and Buddhist scriptures such as Chakkavaladipani scripture and picturenbook of Tri-Phum-Phra-Ruang, which refer to the various wildlife worlds in the universe. These, consisting of Rūpa (body) and Nãma (mind), consistently demonstrate the connection between human life and origin. These two components comprise a complete life. The body cannot perform its mission or activities effectively unless it has a dominant mind. Humans are the result of karma between the mother, father, and him/her. Once parents have sexual intercourse, their four elements combine to form Rūpa, or the body, which supports the mind. Following fertilization, the embryo develops gradually in the mother's womb. Thai traditional medical practitioners are experts in caring for pregnant women, known as Pregnancy Treatment or Kann-Pa-Ruk-Sa in Thai. This article was based on primary documents such as the Tipitaka, Chakkavaladipani scripture, picturenbook of Tri-Phum-Phra-Ruang, and Prathom-Jinda scripture. The article provides an overview of human birth and prenatal care according to Thai traditional medicine, as well as a discussion of medical science to help modern people understand and appreciate the wisdom of the ancestors who have long cared for the Thai people.