| How to cite this article: Wiwanitkit V, Kaewla W, Kalasribharadwaj SK. Ayurveda practice in Hindu mandirs in Bangkok, Thailand. Ann Trop Med Public Health 2016;9:300-1 |
| How to cite this URL: Wiwanitkit V, Kaewla W, Kalasribharadwaj SK. Ayurveda practice in Hindu mandirs in Bangkok, Thailand. Ann Trop Med Public Health [serial online] 2016 [cited 2021 Apr 11];9:300-1. Available from: https://www.atmph.org/text.asp?2016/9/4/300/184805 |
Dear Sir,
As noted by Chattopadhyay, “religion, spirituality, health, and medicine have common roots in the conceptual framework of relationship among human beings, nature, and God. Of late, there has been a surge in interest in understanding the interplay of religion, spirituality, health.”[1] Ayurveda has a long history and the role of a Hindu mandir on the “maintenance of health by incorporating them into the religious rituals”[2] is well-defined. Indeed, medical practice in Hinduism has a strong focus on spiritual care.[3],[4]
Outside India, Ayurveda practice can be presently seen. The interesting concern is on the present role of a Hindu mandir on Ayurvedic practice and health care outside India. Here, the authors assess the role of a Hindu mandir in Bangkok, Thailand, a Southeast Asian country where Hinduism is a minor religion. A field survey and interviewing of Brahmanas at the two main Hindusin mandir s was done. Based on this survey, it can be seen that there is no Ayurveda center at the mandir s and the public health role of the mandir is only of spiritual support to the patient. The ill patient might visit the mandir, pray for to God, and ask for holy water aimed at healing. In fact, this process is a clear Ayurveda-based wisdom that can be seen in original Indian practice. The role to construct a “pleasant process of treatment” using integrated Ayurvedic religious healing has proven to be useful.[5] As noted by Svoboda, according to the Ayurveda‘s way of seeing the world, its “darshana”, the praying can have a positive health effect.[6] In Thailand, the use of Ayurveda can be seen.[7] While there is no role of a Hindu mandir as an Ayurvedic medical center that can be identified, the role for spiritual care can still be identified.
Acknowledgement
This work is supported by the research fund of Surindra Rajabhat University, Thailand.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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Chattopadhyay S. Religion, spirituality, health and medicine: Why should Indian physicians care? J Postgrad Med 2007;53:262-6.
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Hymavathi P. Festivals and medical relevance (with special reference to medieval Andhra society). Bull Indian Inst Hist Med Hyderabad 1993;23:113-23.
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Sinha PK. Hinduism and medical practice. J Med Assoc Ga 1998;87:312-4.
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Mysorekar U. Eye on religion: Clinicians and Hinduism. South Med J 2006;99:441.
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Halliburton M. The importance of a pleasant process of treatment: Lessons on healing from South India. Cult Med Psychiatry 2003; 27:161-86.
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Svoboda RE. Ayurveda’s role in preventing disease. Indian J Med Sci 1998;52:70-7.
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Wiwanitkit V. Use of Indian (Ayurveda) style alternative medicine in Thailand. Int J Ayurveda Res 2010;1:282.
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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DOI: 10.4103/1755-6783.184805
