Father Doctor Shivago

Jivaka Komarabhacca, Patron Saint of Thai Medicine

In Thailand, practitioners of Thai traditional medicine revere Jivaka Komarabhacca (also known as Shivago) as the founder and original source of the medicine and the system of Sen lines upon which this medical approach is based. He was Indian by birth, and the foremost doctor India during the time of the Buddha. He became a personal attendant to the Buddha, and supported the sangha by donating a mango garden with a monastery that he had built.

He was by legend the son of a prostitute, abandoned in a basket and put on a rubbish heap. His name derives from the root word java, which means alive, as he was discovered before being killed by predators.

Jivaka studied Ayurvedic medicine for 7 years under the tutelage of the master Atreya in the north of India and then returned to Rajagaha, where the Buddha and his followers rested during the monsoon season. He became a renowned physician and was known to be an expert surgeon and herbologist. He is mentioned in some of the earliest Buddhist texts, including the Pali Canon, which was recorded on palm leaves during the first century BC.

The image at the left is of an old carving of Jivaka taken at the Northern Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai (photo credit: Betsy Trapasso).

Thai practitioners often recite one of various versions of a Pali prayer, or Wai Khru to Shivago to invoke the healing power of the lineage. An image of Shivago will be found at any traditional school, as well as the treatment rooms of most practitioners.

(Wai Khru Jivaka from the original Pali - for more information, please see http://www.shivago.org/waikhru.html)

OM NAMO SHIVAGO SIRASA AHANG KARUNIKO
SAPASATANANG OSATA TIPAMANTANG
PAPASO SURIYAJANTANG KOMARAPATO

PAGASESI WANTAMI BANDITO SUMETASO A-LOKA SUMANAHOMI

PIYO-TEWA MANUSANANG PIYO-PROMA NAMUTAMO
PIYO-NAKA SUPANANANG PINISRIYONG NAMAMIHANG NAMOPUTAYA
NAVON-NAVEAN NASATIT-NASATEAN
A-HIMAMA NAVEAN-NAVE NAPITANG-VEAN NAVEANMAHAKO
A-HIMAMA PIYONGMAMA NAMOPUTAYA

NA-A NAVA LOKA PAYATI WINASANTI

Shivago Bronze Statue

Traditional Thai massage practitioners have an image of Shivago in their treatment room, often as part of a traditional Buddhist altar. There is considered to be a lineage through which energy and spiritual protection are conferred directly from Jivaka, through the teachers that have brought the work to the practitioner. It is considered important to study with a teacher, and to honor the lineage of teachers by reciting the Wai Khru.

High quality statues of Jivaka are difficult to obtain, even in parts of Thailand. Thai Bodywork is importing for our community limited quantities of a beautifully crafted bronze and nickel Jivaka statue that is made for us at a metal foundry in Thailand. The statue is heavily cast, weighs 2 pounds 4 ounces and is approximately 7.5 inches tall and 5 inches wide. This is one of the highest quality images of Shivago that we have seen, and it makes a beautiful addition to your treatment room altar.

To purchase the Jivaka bronze statue, please visit our webstore. Unfortunately, we can only ship to the USA.