THE CONNECTION OF HUMAN BODY BASED ON THE FIVE AGGREGATES WITH MEDICAL SCIENCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to examine the connection of human body based on the five aggregates with medical science. The methodology involved documentary reviews of Thai traditional medical textbooks and Tripitaka coupled with anatomy physiology biochemistry and nutrition textbooks. The findings revealed that the human body based on the concept of the five aggregates originates from the four primary elements—earth, water, wind, and fire—contribute to building the body through the consumption of food. The human body is in four states including 1) The solid state which plays a role in the structure of the body 2) The liquid state which plays a role in dissolving matters 3) The fluid state which plays a role in movement and circulation 4) The heat state which plays a role in providing energy and heat to the body. This is comparable to the state of matter according to the description of science: solid state, liquid state, gas state, and plasma state, respectively. The results of this study showed the possibility to link knowledge of the body in four abstract states based on the five aggregates of Buddhism with the body in four states based on the concept of science. This was able to use knowledge in medical science, including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and biochemistry to explain the mechanisms of disease and treatment in a contemporary way with Thai traditional medicine.