Restore Thai Traditional Medicine’s Value with Buddhism and Science

Abstract

This research studies the relationship between Buddhism and Thai traditional medicine as a science. Thai traditional medicine evolved from Buddhist principles since the Buddha’s era and served as the main health care for centuries. However, it became distanced from the offi cial health care system since the last century because it was argued that it lacked certain scientifi c dimensions. The research question, therefore, is how we could integrate Buddhism and Science in Thai traditional medicine properly. This study is a qualitative work, using (1) documentary research on the history and development of Thai traditional medicine in the Thai Tripitaka; (2) fi eld research, focusing on in-depth interviews with Thai traditional medicine doctors and practitioners; (3) case-studies of applying Buddhist and/or scientifi c principles to traditional medicine. The main result can be divided into three parts. The fi rst found that the traditional medicine in the Buddha’s era was based on holistic health care and maintaining the balance of the inner body and the external environment which were known in India prior to the Buddha’s era. The second found that the body knowledge of traditional medicinewas developed through trial and errors of traditional medicine practitioners before becoming offi cial textbooks for traditional doctors. The third found that the problem of Thai traditional medicine today is not due to the absence scientifi c dimension, but rather a paradigm shift of science. The research proposes three recommendations for integrating Thai traditional medicine, Buddhism and Science in order to maximize benefi t to Thai patients. Firstly, the principles of Buddhism shouldtake precedence to any health care treatment. Secondly, the principles of prevention and health promotion are more important than any treatment with Thai traditional or western medicines. Thirdly, Thai traditional medicine should be applied subsequent to the Buddhist spiritual treatment and prior to Western medicine.