The principles of Thai medicine are rooted in an ancient view of health that sees the human being as a composite of body, energy, and spirit (mind). It is important that all components (building blocks) exist in harmony and receive equal attention. some of the key concepts of TTM are
1) The three divisions into human nature
2) The theory of the four elements and their relationship to the human body, herbs, and taste
3) The theory of the sen line energy system, similar to the meridians of TCM
4) The teachers' faith in their lineage and their ability to pass on their healing powers to their heirs [source: Thai Medicine Guide].
Aggregation
Thai medicine adopts the Buddhist view that human beings are a complex of five parts or aggregates, called pangkakanda in Thai. These five aggregates are: matter, sensation, cognition, will, and consciousness. These five elements are interdependent and together form the illusory ego or "I." There is no such thing as reincarnation in Buddhism. The ego dissolves upon death. Only the karma of that past life continues, creating a new life and body for the next life. It is like a riverbed where the same water never flows twice. The idea of a non-permanent self or "no-self" is very difficult for people to understand, let alone accept. Nevertheless, it is the cornerstone of all true Buddhist practice and study.
Essence (essential elements, quintessence)
The doctrine of the five aggregates is a major tenet of Buddhist philosophy, but it is not so important in TTM. A more useful division of the human being is the division and fusion of the three essences of body, energy, and mind. Each branch of traditional medicine focuses on one of these essences, at least in principle. In practice, their goals and effects overlap. Thai massage, for example, benefits both the physical body and the sen energy system. Herbs and food not only heal the body but also help to purify the mind.
Chitta or the human mind is an area of religious practice, primarily Buddhism, and secondly, indigenous folk beliefs that persist despite mainstream religions. Lom (wind) or energy is the purview of Thai massage and Thai yoga, whose movements are designed to harmonize the flow of life force in the body. As practiced in Thai herbalism, the body, composed of four elements, can be healed and cared for through diet, exercise, and herbs.
One school in Chiang Mai, Shivago Komarpaj, reflects the essence of the three divisions of the school itself, C. Pierce Salguero, with a massage area in one wing, herbal facilities in the other, and two central altars dedicated to the Buddha, Shivago, and the lineage of teachers There is an altar dedicated to the Buddha, Sivago, and the lineage of the Teacher. This is symbolic of the fact that spirituality is central to the ancient Thai medical system.
Senlines.
The theory of Senlines is very important to TTM, especially to Thai massage. Senlines, called lompran in Thai and prana in Sanskrit, are a network of channels in the body that carry life force. There are said to be 72,000 senlines, but only 10 are actually important. All sen lines begin two thumb-lengths below the surface of the navel (according to various theories), but each line has a unique end point. Some lines are paired and mirror each other. Additionally, the Sen has sensitive points that respond to massage and yoga. Life energy or "wind" passes through the Sen to nourish the body. When the pathway is blocked, illness results. Massage and yoga manipulate the Sen lines to restore health.
Experts cite three primary sources for the sen line in Wat Po marble. Each provides a slightly different version of the sen pathway.
A list of sen lines and their end points (various ways of saying the names also exist)
(1) Susamana (Sumana) line, tan tongue (2) Isa (Inta) line, left nostril (3) Pinkara line, right nostril (4) Kalathari line (or Kanratari), fingers and toes (5) Sahasaransi line, left eye (6) Tawari line, right eye (7) Jantapusak line (Lausan), left ear (8) Ulanga line (Ruchum), right ear (9) Tawatary line (Nantagawat), anus (10) Sikini (Kitchana) line, genitals.
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