Jivaka Kumarbacca Image courtesy of Contact Me Main Menu Feng Shui   The people of Thailand have traditionally been "holistic" in their approach to health care. Nuad Boran historically dates back to the 5th century b.c.e. Jivaka Kumarbacca was a doctor to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha! Jivaka is an historical figure whose name is mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhist culture and spiritual practice along with Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine came to Thailand from the India/Nepal border . It fused with the shamanic and rural hill-tribe healing culture of Thailand and developed into something unique unto itself. In Thai philosophy, human life is holistically viewed as a combination of three essences: Citta, Body and Energy – The Circle of Life. The “traditional” Thai hospital and health care system employs the three essences which are all interdependent upon each other for an individual to be whole & healthy. 1 - Citta addresses the spiritual, psychological and emotional aspects of the individual. 2 - Body applies to the diet - intake of food, drink and medicinal herbs. 3 - Energy is the unseen field which encompasses the individual and connects the material body to the Universe, the chakras, energy meridians, aura, sen lines (in the Thai tradition) . . . Energy is treated with Nuad Boran or what westerners know of as Thai Massage. Jivaka Kumarbacca is revered as “The Father Doctor” of Thai medicine. His name developed in Thailand as Shivagakomarpaj or “Shivago”. His image along with that of the Buddha is recognized and applied by the practitioner as the focus on “metta”, in giving kindness and compassion in the holistic care of the individual being treated. I am honored to be in the Shivagakomarpaj lineage. Gregory Oed gregory@touchalchemy.com   © 2006 Touch Alchemy