What did medieval hospitals look like? Sri Lanka has the answer

#ThinkingMedieval
Religious leaders throughout history have sought to care for their followers in various ways, and Buddhists were no exception. Excavation projects in Sri Lanka have come up with the ruins of medieval monastic hospitals of a scale that hasn’t yet been seen anywhere in South Asia-even in India, with its long-standing Ayurvedic tradition. Anirudh Kanisetti explains these medieval healthcare administrations, endowments, and facilities.
Sources:
Aluvihare, A. "Surgical Instruments at the Alahana Parivena Hospital in Polonnaruwa." In SAARC International Conference on Archaeology of Buddhism: Recent Discoveries in South Asia (Colombo, 2012).
Archaeology of Buddhism: recent discoveries in South Asia. Manohar, 2017.
Mueller-Dietz, Heinz E. "Stone „Sarcophagi” and Ancient Hospitals in Sri Lanka." Medizinhistorisches Journal H. 1/2 (1996): 49-65.
Prematilleke, Leelanada. "Ancient monastic Hospital System in Sri Lanka”." Ancient trades and cultural contacts in Southeast Asia, Bangkok, The Office of the National Culture Commission (1996): 115-126.
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[@BogalaSawundiris]

I am Sri Lankan, Sri Lanka is indeed a different and independent nation. But as a Sinhalese who is well educated in history and languages it is undeniable that Sri Lanka is a small Bharath which is independent and separate from India. We have a blood connection with mainland India and it is even visible in language and genetics as well. Tamils of the country have more South Indian genetics and Sinhalese have more North-East/North Indian genetics. By the way I am a Sinhalese person who has an enthusiasm for history and culture.

[@adma7298]

North Indian genetics, Look in to the mirror. Lankans are untouchables dravidians who keep running south from aryans of north

[@imethd90]

@@adma7298 yare as a sinhalese we have little bit north indians genes bogala guy think himself as a north indian

[@BogalaSawundiris]

@@imethd90 It is definitely NOT A LITTLE BIT. North/North East Indian genes are the MAJORITY. I have being studying population genetics for 12 years now. Sinhalese genetic admixture is 72% West-Bengali. This genetic finding is further supported by the MAHAVANSHA which mentiones of multiple migrations from VANGA RATA which is present day West Bengal region. So Genetic evidence also supports the Mahavansha. According to you is 72% a LITTLE BIT ??? Then you will need a MATHS lesson. It is also mentioned in Mahavansha that Sinhalese have a blood relationship with Lord Gauthama Buddha ! The genetic evidence from modern testing also proves that ! The Buddha was also North Indian, are you DENYING THE BLOOD CONNECTION OF SINHALESE TO LORD GAUTHAMA BUDDHA ???

[@BogalaSawundiris]

@@imethd90 The Buddha was also North Indian, are you DENYING THE BLOOD CONNECTION (proven by modern genetic studies) OF SINHALESE TO LORD GAUTHAMA BUDDHA ???

[@imethd90]

@@BogalaSawundiris no man my faher did his dna test through 23 & me its said my father have 72 % south indian(kerala) & 18% north indian (west bengal) dont spread misinformation

[@SiddharthaJoshiFilms]

This is a fascinating story! I would love to visit these places and explore this story further when I visit Sri Lanka next 🙌

[@indeewarajayasinghe7713]

Though it might appear as an exaggeration King Buddha Dasa(who was a Ayurvedic himself) during 5th century said to have performed an operation on a Cobra(a Naga) suffering from uncurable ulcer. Spread of health and well being of the subject had been utmost focus of this King, and during his tenure written records mention about training and organizing paid local healers/ or Doctors down to the village level.

[@manils35]

Million thanks ! The amount of hard work you have put in, reveals the glory of not only Sri Lanka, but also this video. God bless you with success always!

[@devinserasinghe3805]

Wonderful presentation 🙌 Sri Lanka has a rich history when it comes to sanitation and healthcare There are examples like stone lavatories and sewage disposal methods in Anuradhapura which shows how advanced it was thousands of years ago.

[@silentkiller421]

i found this series very recently and im very fascinated to see our rich history in every field. And influence of Buddhism in ancient south asia

[@chandlerminh6230]

Europe has archeological discoveries indicating very sophisticated surgical instruments dating to early centuries of common era. One of this is the House of Surgeons discovered under the ruins of Pompeii, dating to not later than 79 AD. In India, however, there is only very limited evidence for surgical instruments outside orally transmitted texts. This discovery from Sri Lanka is thus significant in terms of verifying the veracity of Indian claims about surgical knowledge.

[@vihangabimsara4716]

The Mihinthale area was mainly built for Mahinda thero who brought buddism to sri lanka. He was the son of Emperor Ashoka

[@Shahi-bangalah_1352]

Brother can you please make a video on the history of sciemce in indian subcontinent.

[@tathaloka]

While in Sri Lanka, I undertook traditional medical treatment, there called ‘Parampara Veda’. The doctor, a ‘Veda Mahatthaya’ came from a long line of traditional medical doctors specializing in traditional medical oil treatments, as seen in the oil tubs pictured here. He had learned that the origin of this tradition was the Buddha’s own physician, who had studied at the great university at Taksasila in India. This tradition was transmitted earlier from India to Sri Lanka among the various arts, sciences and technologies gifted to Sri Lanka from India by Indian emperor Samrat Ashoka, and later further developed in Polonaruwa during the Polonaruwa period, during which this medical tradition reached its fluorescence in Sri Lanka. Thus have I heard.

[@pasindudesilva4869]

❤❤❤

[@tathaloka]

Most of the old canonical Buddhist monastic disciple books of the Vinaya contain an extensive Chaoter on Medicines (Bhesajjakkhandhaka in Pāli), practically a book unto itself. This is learning meant to be undertaken and practiced by Buddhist monastics for their fellow monastics. This knowledge was brought with Buddhist monastics as they travelled around Jambudvipa (the Indian subcontinent) and around Asia, further developing in new regional contexts. There are so many old traditional medicines listed in these chapters, not all still known today, due to a break in the Buddhist monastic traditions on the subcontinent. Buddhist monk Ven. Srāvasti Dhammika has done research aiming to rediscover these ancient medicines in India. SIK Hin-tak has also done research in Hong Kong on “Ancient Indian medicine in early Buddhist literature : a study based on the Bhesajjakkhandhaka and the parallels in other Vinaya Canons”: hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/241256

[@BogalaSawundiris]

This may explain the reason for Ezhavas from Kerala being proficient in Ayurveda and owning many Ayurvedic Hospitals to this day even after they fell from their higher caste status following Adi-Shankaracharya's quest to restrengthen Shaivite-Hinduism. The Ezhavas/Thiyyars from Kerala seem to have an ethnic origin from Sri Lanka and have closer genetic relationships with the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. They may have been good in Ayurveda from the times they migrated to Kerala from Sri Lanka.

[@deepblue3682]

1) any definitive proof that ezhavas were of higher caste before sankara ? 2) any definte proof that ezhavas came from srilanka or have close genetic links with sinhalese? If there are any kindly provide links

[@wolves2529]

​@@deepblue3682 I haven't seen strong evidence..but people from those castes and regions(kerala) do belive their ancestors are from sri lanka(sinhalese)..becuse they say they have had a north indian buddhist background then.. even in our history there are few places where sri lankans migrates to those parts of india in different time lines..

[@BogalaSawundiris]

​@@deepblue3682Yes. About the proof for their high caste status, Ezhavas were a Buddhist Martial order/Kshathriya group before Adi Shankaracharyas arrival, they fell from their higher status with Adi Shankara's quest to restrengthen Hinduism. This is evident with the Martial traditions that the Thiyyars (who are actually NORTHERN EZHAVAS) still maintain and the Panicker and Chekavar Martial lineage traditions of Ezhavas. So their original Kshathriya status is clear by the remnants of their martial traditions. Also outside of that Martial groups are supposed to be well versed in Ayurveda to treat battlefield wounds and injuries, this is why after losing Kshatriya status the Ezhavas turned to their Ayurveda knowledge and many Ayurvedic Hospitals and stalls are owned by Ezhava families in regions like Kochi and etc. I have spoken to multiple Ezhavas and they always point out the physical differences between the average Ezhava and the average Tamil and speak about how the Sinhalese look very physcially simialar to them which I have myself noticed. Also the MOST IMPORTANT POINT is that the Sinhalese have many names, one of the names of the Sinhalese race is HELA, HELA is the name that later beomes EZHAV because there is no strong H sound pronounciation in Dravidian languages. The Hela (Sinhala) people that migrated to Kerala with their HELA name were known by the locals as ELAV because there was no strong H sound in original Dravidian languages. So Hela became Elav with the ommission of H pronounciation ! Also Ezhavas though Buddhist before Adi Shankaras quest were very good in Sanskrit unlike other average Tamils/Adi-Chera's because Sinhala is strong in Sanskrit as Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language. The evidence to show the Sinhala origins of Ezhavas is OVERFLOWING and even Ezhava elders THEMSELVES ACCEPT THIS HELA (Sinhala) ORIGIN. Also thiyyars were the DEVA GROUP of Hela's in Sri Lanka. Deva became Thiyyar in Dravidian langauges. Please remember that Ezhava is pronounced as ELAVA.

[@BogalaSawundiris]

@@wolves2529 Sinhalese also have a North Indain Buddhist background. Also you have failed to see the STRONG EVIDENCE. I will show you some right here right now. This applies for Ezhavas (prounounced Ellav) and Thiyyars. ​ About the proof for their high caste status, Ezhavas were a Buddhist Martial order/Kshathriya group before Adi Shankaracharyas arrival, they fell from their higher status with Adi Shankara's quest to restrengthen Hinduism. This is evident with the Martial traditions that the Thiyyars (who are actually NORTHERN EZHAVAS) still maintain and the Panicker and Chekavar Martial lineage traditions of Ezhavas. So their original Kshathriya status is clear by the remnants of their martial traditions. Also outside of that Martial groups are supposed to be well versed in Ayurveda to treat battlefield wounds and injuries, this is why after losing Kshatriya status the Ezhavas turned to their Ayurveda knowledge and many Ayurvedic Hospitals and stalls are owned by Ezhava families in regions like Kochi and etc. I have spoken to multiple Ezhavas and they always point out the physical differences between the average Ezhava and the average Tamil and speak about how the Sinhalese look very physcially simialar to them which I have myself noticed. Also the MOST IMPORTANT POINT is that the Sinhalese have many names, one of the names of the Sinhalese race is HELA, HELA is the name that later beomes EZHAV because there is no strong H sound pronounciation in Dravidian languages. The Hela (Sinhala) people that migrated to Kerala with their HELA name were known by the locals as ELAV because there was no strong H sound in original Dravidian languages. So Hela became Elav with the ommission of H pronounciation ! Also Ezhavas though Buddhist before Adi Shankaras quest were very good in Sanskrit unlike other average Tamils/Adi-Chera's because Sinhala is strong in Sanskrit as Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language. The evidence to show the Sinhala origins of Ezhavas is OVERFLOWING and even Ezhava elders THEMSELVES ACCEPT THIS HELA (Sinhala) ORIGIN. Also thiyyars were the DEVA GROUP of Hela's in Sri Lanka. Deva became Thiyyar in Dravidian langauges. Please remember that Ezhava is pronounced as ELAVA.

[@ej4458]

@@deepblue3682 Sinhala medicine and ayurveda are different because ayurvedda from what I've read stayed true to what it traditionally practiced while Sinhala medicine adopted effective medical procedures from many foreign cultures such as the persians, arabs and other asian countries.

[@syedmaricar9946]

I don't believe that it wasn't scientific but very early texts 😅

[@ssiddurao1351]

Your videos are very good and informative. But please come out of this buddhist hangover. By watching your videos it feels like indian history is only about buddhist or you know only about buddhist history I agree that buddhism is a very important part of our history. But their is much more subject to explore

[@johnkane345]

How all this is relevant today. Why put so much effort into obsolete things. Why?

[@ej4458]

So are we supposed to completely ignore history and block out anyone looking to do studies in that field? are we supposed live like cattle, not knowing who are what we are after all this time?

[@silentkiller421]

If you are not interested please skip the video and watch something you like. There are many many people who are interested in this field.

[@kicksomeup6998]

So many questions. Why is an Indian news channel talking about another nation's history? Why would we care about traditional medicine, of all things in another country? Lastly, why would we compare it with any other form of traditional medicine? Isn't traditional medicine largely pseudoscientific crap? Parts of traditional medicine that are effective become part of modern medicine, like yoga and certain ayurvedic remedies. What is the purpose of putting this out, exactly? What sort of bearing does it have on our world today? What next, how the shapes of pots and pans in ancient Botswana were more efficient than those in Europe? Is this a news channel or a Master's level course in South Asian studies? What are we doing here? Is ThePrint really wasting its precious time and resources on crap like this? ThePrint could use its resources to instead do some hard-hitting investigative journalism into stuff like war crimes and corruption. When is ThePrint going to start creating news instead of just following it? When will we make the jump to The New York Times of India? Where are India's Woodward and Bernstein?

[@xkcddestroyer9582]

The subtext of the video is: how dare you take pride in the history of your country? We hate the current dispensation so much we'll move heaven and earth to prove that nothing of consequence has sprung from this country. His Ghazni video was weak too. Just because he minted a coin in Devanagari and gave an Indian chieftain his robe doesn't mean he wasn't substantially driven by rabid hatred for anything that isn't Islam. Slimy fellow

[@BogalaSawundiris]

I am Sri Lankan, Sri Lanka is indeed a different and independent nation. But as a Sinhalese who is well educated in history and languages it is undeniable that Sri Lanka is a small Bharath which is independent and separate from India. We have a blood connection with mainland India and it is even visible in language and genetics as well. Tamils of the country have more South Indian genetics and Sinhalese have more North-East/North Indian genetics. By the way I am a Sinhalese person who has an enthusiasm for history and culture.

[@hawkingdawking4572]

Yoga is a 20th century invention. Much of the so-called ancient stuff are actually from the 19th century.

[@hawkingdawking4572]

Investigative journalism would invite E.D and CBI into your premises. So keep it shut.

[@indeewarajayasinghe7713]

connecting the dots through identifying development in the region leads you to more discoveries.