Phra Khamphi Dhatuvinitchai: Custom of writing and Essence of Thai Traditional Medical Wisdom

Abstract

This article aims to study Thai Traditional Medicine wisdom or knowledge, particularly the custom of writing and the Phra Khamphi Dhatuvinitchai, an important Thai traditional medical scripture that has not been transliterated and published before. It was found that the Dhatuvinicchaya text was likely to be recorded in the Rattanakosin Period (late 19th century, A.D.). It can be divided into three sections, as follows: (1) The opening section, a prayer paying respect to the teacher or the Buddhist Triple Gems. (2) The content, covering
two parts -the principles of Thai traditional medicine and the Thai traditional pharmacopeia. The content of this section is characterized by the beginnings and endings, that indicate its different importance. (3) The summary of the contents and the date that the text transcription or copying was finished. As for the arrangement of the content, the text is divided into three volumes; volume 1, describing the characteristics of the elements (dhatu) in the body; volume 2 covering the basic knowledge of herbs; and volume 3, dealing
with Thai pharmacopeia or drug formulas for creating diseases and symptoms. The content arrangement were undertaken as per the traditional medical principles and also supporting content with more details to clarity the primary content. Moreover, the order of importances of the content is continuous as necessary for the study of Thai traditional medicine. In sum, the custom of writing the Dhatuvinitchai Thai traditional medical text has a specific style and the content is arranged according to the importance of the topics for Thai traditional medical practitioners to learn.