Page 96 - วารสารกรมการแพทย์แผนไทยฯ ปีที่ 16 ฉบับที่ 1

86

thanks, apology, and the most important, to and boxing. Achan stands for teachers of

show respect to someone or something. Wai adults, university professors, those who edu-
to ùsomethingû must also be describe here cates undergraduate and graduate students.
because very often Thai traditionalists wai to Khru comes from the Pali word garu, which

inanimate objects, such as things in nature, as an adjective, means çheavy, weight, im-
images and statues. But this action has a portant, venerableé; and as a noun, ça parent,
[11]
symbolic purpose - it represents something. a teacher, a religious preceptoré . Achan
When inanimate objects are ùwai-edû (re- comes from the Sanskrit word acharya which
spected) in Thai tradition, it is because the means ça spiritual guide or teacher; he who

objects have a meaning regarding to knowl- invests the student with the sacrificial thread
edge. It may symbolize a type of transmis- and instruct him in the Vedas, etc. [...], a
[12]
sion of knowledge that is not structured by family priesté . Looking at the English trans-
science. In agreement, Guénon asserts, lation of the two words, khru and achan seem
çsymbols are essentially a means of teaching, very similar, but when applicable to the Thai

and not only of outward teaching but of some- language, both have different meanings. In
thing more in so far as they serve above all this case, a question must be asked, why the
as ùsupportsû for meditation, which is at the tradition of paying grateful respect to teach-
[4]
very least the beginning of inner worké . In ers is called Wai Khru and not Wai Achan?
conclusion of this thought, the wai is meta- For the analysis of the researcher, based on
physical in essence, and it symbolizes the the perspectives of Guénon, khru is under-

respect and gratefulness of people (katanyu stood as the transmitter of the traditional
katawaeti) towards knowledge, in which ac- knowledge, which involves physical teach-
knowledging the debts to benefactors, ei- ers as well as spiritual influences. Khru is the

ther physical or spiritual, people pay respect one who confers initiation, who acts as a link
to someone or something. to the ùfamily of traditional wisdomû, ensuring

Analyzing the word khru, there are two that the knowledge is passed on accurately.
words in Thai language which translates to In another hand, the word achan stands for
the English meaning ùteacherû. One is khru teachers of scientific knowledge - professors,

(§√Ÿ) and another is achan (Õ“®“√¬å). Khru from the Latin word professor, ça person who
stands for elementary school teachers, as well professes to be an expert in some art or sci-
[13]
as teachers of Thai traditional art such as ence; teacher of highest ranké . In this sense,
traditional medicine, astrology, music, dance achan stands for professors or teachers of