Thailand will propose that the historical inscriptions and hermit statues teaching traditional Thai yoga at Wat Pra Chetupon Wimolmangalaram be included in the UNESCO Memory of the World (MOW) Program in 2009.
At a meeting Monday at the temple in Bangkok, Prof. Maenmas Chavalit, president of the Thai National Committee on the MOW program, said the knowledge inscribed on the walls and those enshrined in ancient yoga postures at Wat Chetupon - more known as Wat Pho - had a universal value.
"Not only is valuable to the Thai people", Khunying Maenmas said, "but art collections are credited with preserving and sharing with others."
The inscriptions engraved in gold leaf, silver and marble, gather wisdom, from the Buddhist precepts and literary works, a traditional medical treatises, besides being a record that shows the positions used by hermits. It is believed that health benefits for treating muscle and joint pain.
Wat Pho was once considered as the first university in the country, and was built by King Rama I (1782-1809).
The Committee will begin a rigorous selection process to ensure that Wat Pho is resisting an analysis of UNESCO as World Heritage Sites to be included in the Memory of the World. Khunying Maenmas said the appointment will be finalized in June.
The first success of the committee was the inclusion of King Ramkhamhaeng the first inclusion in the MOW program in October 2003.
It is currently in the process of applying for the 102 years of abolition of slavery ancient document approved by King Rama V for inclusion in the UNESCO program.
Preeda Tangtrongchit, director of Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School, said he fully supported the commission plan. He added that UNESCO's recognition of the 200-year-old inscriptions would most famous traditional Thai massage.
The term "Ruesi Datton" (hermit postures), was previously used in Japan as the name of a magazine. It was also the name of a workshop led by a traditional Thai massage operator in the United States, he said, noting he was concerned that the term is misused and misappropriated by foreigners.
Mr. Preeda said he is prepared to sue those who use the term as it would reflect badly on the traditional Thai massage. He said the Wat Pho massage school has over 100,000 Thai and foreign students a year.
UNESCO launched the Memory of the World in the 1990s to guard against collective amnesia, asks the preservation of valuable records and library collections worldwide ensure wide dissemination.
Source: Swing Out Thailand