Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has its own Ayurvedic system based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation over a period of 3000 years. The ancient kings, some of whom were also prominent physicians as recorded by historical texts, encourage its use and therefore survival. King Buddhadasa (398 AD) was the most prominent king-physician and wrote the medical treatise Sarartha Sangrahay, which is still being consulted by physicians to date.
Ancient inscriptions on rock surfaces reveal the full establishment of the contemporary medical services existing in the country. These ancient hospital sites which were active centuries ago now attract the tourists, who view and marvel at these beautiful ruins, which have come to symbolise a sense of healing and care which was so prevalent at that time. The ayurvedic physicians enjoyed noble position in the social hierarchy in the country due to royal patronage and from this stems a famous Sri Lankan saying: “If you cannot be a king, become a healer”. This inter-relationship between ayurveda and royalty has brought ayurveda and its connections with Buddhism into in the forefront of Sri Lankan life.
Ayurveda students receive a 6 year full time training at university. Training includes allopathy (occidental medicine) alongside ayurvedic subjects.
Today, the Ayurvedic Medical Council maintains and controls the registration of physicians and code of practice, ethics and conduct. The Ministry of Health controls the Department of Ayurveda, headed by the Commissioner of Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic Drug Corporation and the Ayurvedic Research Institute.Finally, ayurveda has its own unique quality, which encompasses and enraptures the whole being, treating the diseased holistically. It examines the components which construct a particular diseased person, and the factors which influence its development or regression. Thus, it treats the person, rather than the disease.
Sri Lanka has its own Ayurvedic system based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation over a period of 3000 years. The ancient kings, some of whom were also prominent physicians as recorded by historical texts, encourage its use and therefore survival. King Buddhadasa (398 AD) was the most prominent king-physician and wrote the medical treatise Sarartha Sangrahay, which is still being consulted by physicians to date.
Ancient inscriptions on rock surfaces reveal the full establishment of the contemporary medical services existing in the country. These ancient hospital sites which were active centuries ago now attract the tourists, who view and marvel at these beautiful ruins, which have come to symbolise a sense of healing and care which was so prevalent at that time. The ayurvedic physicians enjoyed noble position in the social hierarchy in the country due to royal patronage and from this stems a famous Sri Lankan saying: “If you cannot be a king, become a healer”. This inter-relationship between ayurveda and royalty has brought ayurveda and its connections with Buddhism into in the forefront of Sri Lankan life.
Ayurveda students receive a 6 year full time training at university. Training includes allopathy (occidental medicine) alongside ayurvedic subjects.
Today, the Ayurvedic Medical Council maintains and controls the registration of physicians and code of practice, ethics and conduct. The Ministry of Health controls the Department of Ayurveda, headed by the Commissioner of Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic Drug Corporation and the Ayurvedic Research Institute.Finally, ayurveda has its own unique quality, which encompasses and enraptures the whole being, treating the diseased holistically. It examines the components which construct a particular diseased person, and the factors which influence its development or regression. Thus, it treats the person, rather than the disease.
