Human body, spirit and disease: the science of healing in 19th century Buddhist manuscripts from Thailand

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Published: Jul 10, 2019
Keywords:
Human body spirit and disease the science of healing in 19th century Buddhist manuscripts

Main Article Content

Jana a Igunma
British Library

Abstract


Thai 19th century science of healing is a holistic discipline involving extensive use of indigenous herbal and massage/pressure treatment combined with aspects of spirituality. Disease is not understood as a physical matter alone, but also as an imbalance of the patient with his spiritual and sometimes his social world. Therefore psycho-spiritual aspects are usually to be addressed along with medical aspects.


Article Details

How to Cite
Igunma, J. a. (2019). Human body, spirit and disease: the science of healing in 19th century Buddhist manuscripts from Thailand. The Journal of International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU), 1(1), 120–132. Retrieved from https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Jiabu/article/view/204822
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008): The Journal of International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU)
Section
Article

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Author Biography

Jana a Igunma, British Library

Jana Igunma is a curator of Thai, Lao and Cambodian Collections at the British Library, London; Chairperson of the Southeast Asian Library Group and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Studies UK. Her main research is on Thai and Lao literature, including the production of manuscripts and early book printing in Thailand, Lao, Cambodia and the Shan States of Myanmar.

References

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Phumpanya thang kanphaet lae moradok thang wannakam khong chat, (Medical knowledge and national heritage and literature) 2542 (i.e. 1999), Phaetsat songkhro. Bangkok.
Phaetsat songkhro., 1964, 2 vols. Bangkok.
Wales, Quaritch., 1983, Divination in Thailand: The hopes and fears of a Southeast Asian people, London.
Wiriyaburana, Urukhin., n.y., Yant roi paet pitsadan, Bangkok.