The objectives of this thesis are: (1) to study the methods of healthcare as depicted in the Tipitaka, (2) to study the methods of healthcare according to the Thai traditional medicine and that of Wat Pahew-hai, and (3) to do comparative study between the methods of healthcare as depicted in the Tipitaka and the process of healthcare run by the Buddhist monks in Wat Pahew-hai, Huanakham Sub-district, Sritat District, Udontani Province.
The result of the research found that, according to the methods of healthcare as depicted in the Tipitaka, illness and diseases were originated from disorder of psychological units, and the methods to cure such diseases were done through the practices of mental cultivation together with proper food management. For the mental diseases, the healthcare methods are to eradicate the three roots of unwholesome deeds namely are greed, hatred, and delusion by practicing in accordance to the doctrine of moderation, loving kindness, and meditation. And, for the physical healthcare methods are to consider the nutritional supplement as pointed out by the Buddha in the Vinaya texts, the five kinds of medicines, and other kinds of herbs together with proper diet and be moderate in eating.
The concept and methods of Thai traditional healthcare and that of Wat Pahew-hai gave priority to the process of inquiring the causes and symptoms of the diseases including manufacturing herbal medicine in accordance to the specific diseases. As the result, several patients were satisfied with the health service of healthcare center at Wat Pahew-hai and they were very happy that they recovered from the diseases.
In comparative approach, both concept and methods of healthcare as depicted in the Tipitaka and that of Wat Pahew-hai comes into the same vein, that is, firstly investigate the real causes of diseases following by equally taking care of both mental and physical function. Physically, these two concepts aim at promoting healthy diet and suitable herbal medicine. For the mental aspects, mental cultivation such as meditation and other forms of mental development are much emphasized. Last but not least, this study has shown that both concept and methods of healthcare as depicted in the Tipitaka and that of Wat Pahew-hai help to create a healthy society as well as peaceful society as the Buddhist practices really response to the society, that is, health issue. These two are the holistic healthcare treatment as they cover the vast length of treatment both physical and mental diseases. |