The temple is considered the first public university of Thailand, teaching students in the fields of religion, science and literature through murals and sculptures. A school for traditional medicine and massage was established at the temple in 1955, and now offers 4 courses in Thai Medicine - Thai Pharmacy, Thai medical practice, Thai Midwife Nurse and Thai Massage.This, the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School, is the first school of Thai medicine approved by the Thai Ministry of Education, and one of the earliest massage schools.
It remains the national headquarters and the center of education of traditional Thai medicine and massage to this day. Courses on Thai massage are held in Wat Pho, and these may last a few weeks to a year. Two pavilions located at the eastern edge within the Wat Pho compound are used as classrooms for practising Thai traditional massage and herbal massage, and visitors can received massage treatment here for a fee.