Who is Jivaka Kumarabhacca?

By: The Ancient Massage Foundation


Life of Jivaka Kumarabhacca
From Buddhist documents in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese. At the time of the Buddha, among the lay physicians, the most renowned was Jivaka Komarabhacca, who is described as providing free medical care to the Buddha and other monks and donating his mango grove at Rajagaha for use as a monastic community, named Jivakarama. Jivaka's fame as a healer was widely known and tales about his life and medical feats can be found in almost all versions of Buddhist scriptures.


Birth and infancy
The Pali version began with Salavati, a courtesan of Rajagaha, giving birth to a son whom was then given to a slave woman, who placed him in a winnowing basket, which was thrown on a rubbish heap.


In the Sanskrit-Tibetan account, a promiscuous wife of a merchant from Rajagaha gave birth to a son of King Bimbisara, placed the infant in a chest, and ordered maidservants to set the chest at the gate of the king's palace.


In the Chinese narrative, a divine virgin named Arampali, who was raised by a Brahman, gave birth to a son of King Bimbisara. The boy was born with a bag of acupuncture needles in his hand and therefore was predestined to become a doctor and a royal physician. His mother wrapped him in white clothes and ordered a slave to take him to the king.


In all versions, the infant is taken and raised by the king's son Abhaya.


In the Pali account, the boy is given the name Jivaka because he was alive (from root jiv, to live), and because a prince cared for him he is called Kumarabhacca (nourished by a prince).


Medical education
Concerning his interest in medicine and his medical education, in the Pali account, Jivaka, as he approached the age at which he must seek his own livelihood, decided to learn the medical craft. Hearing about a world-famous physician in Taxila, he traveled to that city, famous for education, to apprentice with the eminent doctor. After seven years of medical study, he took a practical examination that tested his knowledge of medical herbs, passed with extraordinary success, and, with the blessings of mentor, went off to practice medicine.

In the Sanskrit-Tibetan version, Jivaka desired to learn a craft. Seeing white-clad physicians, he decided to become a doctor and studied the art of healing. After acquiring the basics of medicine, he wished to increase his understanding by learning the art of opening skulls from Atreya, the king of physicians, who lived in the city of Taxila. So Jivaka went there, took the practical examination on medical herbs and performed other healings, and so deepened his knowledge of medicine that he could even advise his master on therapeutic procedures, thereby earning the latter's respect. 


Pleased with Jivaka depth of understanding, Atreya communicated to him the special technique of opening the skull. Jivaka eventually left the company of Atreya and journeyed to the city Bhadrankata in Vidarbha, where he studied the textbook called "The Sounds of All Beings" (most probably a textbook related with the practice of dharanis and mantras). 


During his travels, he purchased a load of wood from a thin and feeble man and discovered in the woodpile a gem called "the soothing remedy of all beings"(The Bodhisattvas of Healing). This gem, when placed before a patient, illuminated his inside as a lamp light up a house, revealing the nature of illness.

In the Chinese version Jivaka relinquished all claims to the throne and studied medicine. He found that the education he acquired from local physicians was inadequate and showed their deficiencies in the knowledge presented in the textbooks on plants, medical recipes, acupuncture, and pulse lore, which he had successfully mastered. He therefore instructed them in the essential principles of medicine and gained their respect. Hearing of a famous physician, Atreya, who lived in Taxila, he traveled to the city to learn medicine from him. After studying medicine for seven years, he took the practical examination on medical herbs and passed it with great success. 


When Jivaka departed, his master told him that, although he himself was first among the Indian physicians, after his death, Jivaka would become his successor. On his travels, Jivaka encountered a young boy carrying firewood and found he was able to see the inside of the boy's body. Immediately realizing that the bundle of wood must contain a piece of the tree of the King of Healing, who, according to early Mahayana scriptures, is a Bodhisattva of healing, he bought the wood, discovered a twig of the auspicious tree, and used it to diagnose illnesses in the course of his famous medical practice.

Jivaka Kumarabhacca and Ancient Massage

Jivaka is regarded as the Father of Medicine, a source of knowledge about the healing powers of plant, mineral, massage and so forth. His teachings travel to Thailand at the same time as Buddhism. Definitively a central figure in the Buddhist medical system, he is legitimately regarded as the aspiration for all practitioners of Ancient Massage.

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A Great knowledge of Thai massage

"Wat Pho Temple"

Thai massage
Thai massage is a type of massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage. This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage. It is known in Thailand as "nuat phaen boran" (Thai: นวดแผนโบราณ, IPA: [nûət pʰɛ̌ːn boːraːn]), literally, the ancient-manner massage.

Practice
The massage recipient changes into loose, comfortable clothes and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room. The receiver is put into many yoga-like positions during the course of the massage.

The massage practitioner leans on the recipient's body using hands and usually straight forearms locked at the elbow to apply firm rhythmic pressure. The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body — somewhat analogous to meridians or Channel (Chinese medicine) and Indian nadis. Legs and feet of the giver can be used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. A full Thai massage session typically lasts two hours or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient's into bhujangasana or (cobra position). There is a standard procedure and rhythm to this massage.

Prevalence
In Thailand, Thai massage is one of the branches of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), now recognized and regulated by the government, and is widely considered to be a medical discipline used for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. On the other hand, Thai massage is also practiced and taught by a number of non-medical massage technicians in the spa and tourism industries. In North America and Europe, an increasing number of practitioners and teachers of Thai massage have emerged since the 1990s. In Europe and the United States, Thai massage is a growing modality among clients of massage clinics and massage therapists seeking continuing education.

Shivago Komarpaj

History
Drawings of accupressure points on Sen lines at Wat Photemple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand.

The founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj (Jīvaka Komarabhācca), who is said in the Pāli Buddhist Canon to have been the Buddha's physician over 2500 years ago. In fact, the history of Thai massage is more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest. Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine.[1] The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework that is universally accepted among healers.

Other translations
"Nuat boran" is the Thai name for a type of body work native to Thailand (nuat = pressure, boran = ancient). Thai massage is also known as northern-style Thai massage, Buntautuk style, Old Medicine Hospital Style, traditional Thai massage, Traditional Thai Medical Massage, Ancient Massage, Thai Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, Yoga Massage, Thai Classical Massage, Thai Bodywork, Passive Yoga, Assisted Yoga, and Ancient Siamese Bodywork.

Theory

"Sen or Vessels"

Generally speaking, practitioners of modern Thai massage operate on the theory that the body is permeated with "lom," or "air," which is inhaled into the lungs and which subsequently travels throughout the body along 72,000 pathways called "sen," or "vessels." Typically, massage therapists manipulate a handful of major sen lines by pressing certain points along the lines. In most models, the sen originate at the navel and spread throughout the body to terminate at the orifices. A significant part of the practice of Thai massage also includes yoga-like stretches which are intended to stimulate the sen and move lom through the body via a pumping action which is connected with the patient's breathing.

The theory of sen and lom is often translated into English as "meridians" and "energy." While there are some superficial similarities to Chinese meridian theory, the Thai system is markedly different as the sen are unconnected from the internal organs.

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Thai Massage Facts & Myths II

Myth:
Massage should be practiced only by physicians or physiotherapists. If a lay-person attempts it, they may cause harm or injury to the receiver, such as sprained joints or paralysis.

Fact:
In the health-care field at present there seem to be two contradictory beliefs held by opposing groups.

The first one usually consists of specialists who believe in medical omniscience and regard the field as belonging exclusively under the supervision of the medical profession. According to this belief, one ought to consult a physician as soon as the slightest ailment sets in. No one should try to attempt self-treatment.

The other group, however, sees this as unrealistic because of the unfortunate fact that there are not enough physicians available to take care of everyone, quite apart from their dissatisfaction with commercially-oriented, over-specialized and fragmented medical services, which have recently raised alarm amongst consumers and caused some to consider "alternative medicine", or at least a "second opinion", before making decisions concerning medical treatment.

This second group believes in using community or personal resources. They feel people should be able to help themselves since it has been estimated that the majority of the ailments presented to doctors at clinics or hospitals can be self-treated. Besides, in many developing countries, like Thailand, most of the population anyway live in rural areas and thus have very limited access to modern medical services. If we can educate the population to help themselves, we should be able to greatly cut down both on medical expenses and unnecessary suffering.

This concept of health care also suggests that it is not therapeutic for a patient to leave the responsibility of his or her well-being solely in the hands of a physician, just like leaving a car in a garage to be fixed by a mechanic. The patient's motivation, will and effort to get well play an important role in his or her recovery. The patient should be part of the "treatment team" and not just a "case" to be treated by an expert.

This approach to health care is gaining more acceptance these days as reflected by the increase in the literature on it and also the educational articles and programs in the mass-media on self-care. This is sometimes called the "self-help movement", or "alternative medicine".

The application of massage falls within this area. The goal is to help people to become more aware of and more responsible for their health and for the health of those around them, and to enhance well-being and prevent sickness.

Massage, or any other skill, can be dangerous only when practiced irresponsibly, without careful preparation and training. Risk of injury from massage should be minimal if one acquires, through reading and careful practice, the basic concepts and skills.

Myth:
Massage is for the weak and sluggish; a luxurious activity for the affluent; not suitable for the general population.

Fact:
Massage is essential to good health. It has to do with people who are attentive and feel in charge of their own health and the health of those around them. They care enough to invest time and energy in learning and experiencing massage.

There are people who devote their lives to their work and to earning a high income. Such people may become highly successful and knowledgeable in many ways, but, without proper care and understanding of their own bodies and minds, in the end their appreciation of their wealth and achievements is marred by poor health or chronic illness -- the price they usually have to pay for their so-called "successful life".

Caring for one's own health is, therefore, something an intelligent individual does. It need not be an activity for the self-indulgent or rich. Massage is an excellent method of self-care. It might be worth noting that in rural Thailand it is common to find massage being given freely and frequently amongst family members or village friends. Particularly noticeable are the young children massaging their parents at the end of a day's hard work in the paddy fields, or the free massage sessions given to the very old on certain days at the local Buddhist temples.

Myth:
One needs to be big and strong or muscular to be able to give good massages. A small or thin person will never be able to do well. For such a person giving massage can be very tiring since massage is hard work.

Fact:
With proper learning and practice, you will see that you don't need big muscles or extreme strength to give a massage and, if it's done properly, you shouldn't feel exhausted after giving a massage; instead, you should feel relaxed, alert and refreshed. Massage is an act of giving and compassion which should bring joy and a sense of well-being to both the giver and the recipient.

There are probably several more misunderstandings about massage. The ones described are the most common and should serve as good examples.

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Thai Massage Facts & Myths

Before learning about massage, we first need to dispel some common myths, otherwise our misconceptions will lead us astray and will prevent us from gaining the most benefit from massage.

The following excerpts from the book "Traditional Thai Massage" from Sombat Tapanya ISBN 974-210-510-3 will give you an overview of traditional Thai massage and we hope will help you to get some worthwhile experience.

Myth:
Massage always has to involve sex.

Fact:
Massage can, but does not always have to, involve sexual activities. Massage can beneficially be given to infants and it is a common practice among mothers in many different cultures. Massage can be done for the purpose of relaxation or for relieving the symptoms of certain ailments. Massage can be practiced between parents and children, between other family members and by physiotherapists.

Some modern physicians and health professionals, especially in the fields of child care and mental health, have recently become more aware of the significance of the positive effects of touching on health and interpersonal relationships. Thus, they encourage patients to touch each other more, and even to give massage.

The image of massage as a specifically sexual activity probably comes from commercial advertisements for the so-called "massage- parlors", with pictures of beautiful women sitting naked in bath-tubs. In reality there are many legitimate massage facilities in many countries around the world where the masseurs or masseuses are required to have adequate training and, in some cases, even licenses before they can practice.

Another factor which causes some people to associate massage solely with sex is probably the general lack of touch and intimacy outside sex in our contemporary society where loneliness, isolation and alienation are becoming more common. In extreme cases, there are children who grow up in a household where sex or physical displays of affection and intimacy such as hugging, kissing or even touching are considered dirty, evil, or sinful. This type of individual is often hypersensitive to touching and gets upset or anxious easily when touched or when in close physical proximity with another person. In some cases even the touching of a person of the same gender gives rise to suspicions of homosexuality. People of this kind usually end up being literally "out of touch" with others and become either lonely and depressed or aloof and hostile, since their needs for touch and affection are never attended to or satisfied. They deserve our sympathy and should be educated on the value of touching.

Myth:
Once a person is massaged they will "develop the habit" and become dependent on the masseur; they will feel "achy" even though they never felt like that before having massage.

Fact:
It is a natural reaction to tense up some muscles when one experiences fear or anxiety in a threatening situation. Sometimes when fear or anxiety is internal (for example, resulting from a poor self-image or from self-doubt) muscle tension may be so minute that one is not aware of it e.g., frowning, shoulder or rib-cage tensing, pressing the lips together, and so forth. When tensions persist for a long time, the person will develop muscle pain in such forms of tension as headaches, back pain or pain in other parts of the body. After some time, the person will cease to be aware of the tension as one can see in a person who habitually frowns or someone who walks with one shoulder hunched a little higher than the other. When those muscles are massaged, they become "reawakened" and the person experiences pain or discomfort the day after the massage. This could be eliminated by one or two more sessions of massage on the same area. Recurrence of pain or tension may result if factors such as low self-esteem, a stressful life style, or self-destructive habits persist. These problems need to be addressed separately. It is not enough simply to get a good massage. The alleged problem of developing a habit or craving for massage is not supported by empirical evidence. One may like to repeat a good experience when it brings joy or tranquillity, as a massage does, but this is different from drug addiction where the individual has to suffer until the craving is satisfied, and where the brief satisfaction that the drug brings is followed by a stronger need for progressively higher doses of the substance. Massage can draw people or family members together and create intimacy and understanding among them, but it is definitely not addictive and does not cause a habitual and painful longing for it.

 

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7 Things you don't know about Thai massage!

 

The type of Thai traditional therapy that most people will be directly exposed to is ráksãa thaang nûat (healing massage treatment). This is what is more commonly known as the Nuat Thai or Nuad Boran styles of Thai Yoga therapy or the spiritual massage, healing work of Thailand. 

Please note: for clarity although in common English we use the word "massage" we do not mean it in the same context as the typical western usage. In the west "Massage" means something like a "Rub Down" for money and is primarily referring to systems derived from Swedish Massage and Massage Therapy.  

"Thai Yoga and or Thai Massage" (Phaen Boran Ráksãa Thaang Nûat) is completely unrelated! It is a healing art derivative of the Theraveda Buddhism, Buddhist medicine, Classical Indian and Tibetan Ayurveda and Yoga Vedanta. It is not required that one become a practicing buddhist to practice this healing art (but it helps!). Although it would be more accurate to call this medicine either by its traditional names or "Ancient, Anachronistic or Old Thai Way of Healing with The Hands", the slang forms of "Thai Massage" is in use, and as long as this is so there will be some understandable confusion. 

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