Tibetan Medicine - An introduction

Prepared by Dr. Dorjee Rapten Neshar Chief Medical Officer Mentsee-khang, Bangalore

When there is a birth, there is a suffering. And in this vicious cycle of human existence & its fourfold fundamental suffering: suffering of birth, ageing, illness & death, Gautam Buddha found an answer: a noble way to comprehend & cure all the sufferings. As a matter of fact, the entire teaching of Buddha revolves around the truth of these fundamental sufferings. And in this background of Buddha’s teaching, Tibetan Medical System (TMS) find its expression.

There are two schools of thoughts about the origination of TMS. Yung- and Run-Bon: Tibet’s pre-buddhist culture, argues that the system was taught by Lord shenrab Mewo who is said to have lived some 3800 years before passed his precious healing knowledge to his most favorite disciple named Cherbu Trishe who, in turn, was instrumental in propagating this ancient system of Medicine. But the most dominant thought was that of Buddhist school who believes that the system was taught by none other than Lord Buddha himself in the manifestation of Medicine Buddha, the Supreme Healer.

Significantly, TMS enter into its most productive stage during the 7th & 8th century when the Kings started patronizing the medical lineages. Many celebrated physicians were invited to Tibet & cross border exchange of scholars flourished. It was during that time that TMS has started incorporating other Asian Medical System notably Indian Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine & Greek System Of Medicine into its fold. Among many luminaries in the field of TMS, Yuthog Yonten Gonpo Nying-ma (708 AD), the Father of Tibetan Medicine was instrumental in synthesizing the essence of all other neighboring medical system into an ocean of healing knowledge which later came to be known as the Great Four Tantra which is considered to be the most authoritative & main source book of Tibetan Medicine. Literally known as “Sowa Rigpa,”the science of healing that consisted of 156 chapters is still widely practiced in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Ladakh & many others in the Buddhist Himalayan regions.

It is a unique system where medical science & spirituality are blended harmoniously together to offer total health to all. Its principle objective is the prevention of disease for healthy living, treatment of the diseased, to attain longevity, prosperity & spiritual realization, & above all: perfect health & happiness. This is being summarized in the form of body & disease, the Healing, Healing method & the Healer. Passed down through the centuries in a most closely guarded secret, it still enjoys unbroken continuity.

Unfortunately, TMS too suffered heavily after the Chinese occupation of Tibet since 1959. However, in order to preserve & promote this unique tradition, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama has established Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute better known as Mentsee-Khang in Dharamsala (India), 1961. The Institute now has over 40 branches all over India & Nepal serving the local health needs. There are some societies for Tibetan Medicine abroad where the doctors pay periodical visit for giving teaching & consultation.

The fundamental concept of TMS revolves around the theory of Five Cosmo-physical elements & three humoral energies (Nes-pa) the balance & imbalance of which attributes to health & disease respectively. The food & behavioral regimen, seasonal factors & evil spirits are considered to be four causative factors responsible for the manifestation of Nes-pa into disease. Based on the Buddhist concept of Mind & Body Relationship, TMS recognizes Marigpa, the Ignorance as the root cause of all the suffering.

Ignorance literally means not knowing the non-existence of the Self because of which one suffers from 3 inborn mental poisons like lust or desire, hatred or anger, delusion or confusion all of which gives rise to various forms of imbalance in our body system which can be grouped under rLung, mKrsipa & Badkan. Therefore, unless we study & purify our mind from its black clouds of negative mental afflictions, we cannot enjoy the clear blue sky of perfect health.

TMS strongly advocates the dynamic interrelationship between our body, environment, disease & the treatment. All of them are made up of same basic element of nature popularly known as five Cosmo-physical elements: earth, water, fire, air & space, which form our life sustaining energies. And particularly, our human body (Micro-cosmic) enjoys very close & dynamic relationship with our external environment (Macro-cosmic) the balance of which directly affects our very life & existence. Therefore, the environmental pollution & its related health hazards were clearly mentioned in the centuries old medical text. And, the message here is that if we want to enjoy good health & happiness, we should first respect & keep our environment healthy & unexploited.

The medicines used are chiefly natural herbs. Besides, some precious & semi-precious stones, salts, minerals & some animal extract are also being used. The therapeutic effect of medicines is mainly determined by their inherent taste, potency & qualities. They are combined & prepared in keeping with their taste & potency so as to ensure total & quality health of the patient without any unwelcome side effects. Besides the medicines, some accessory therapies are also given to support the treatment process.

The diagnosis of the disease is carried mainly through the interrogation, visual & palpation. Significantly, the pulse & urine analysis forms the most unique & important part of Tibetan diagnostic method.

One of the unique features of the TMS is its close relationship with the Tibetan Astronomy & Astrological aspect. The changing season & its effect on our body can be best explained through the Astrological calculations. Tibetan doctors also consider wide range of Astrological calculations during the collection & preparation of the medicines. Astro- calculations are also made before giving some minor surgeries & accessory therapies, & also to ascertain the nature of the disease & its prognostication.

Tibetan Medicine considers the right approach to the patient & their treatment as a very important factor rather than the treatment itself. The doctor patient relationship is considered to be the gateway of the successful healing. Doctors are viewed as that of medicine Buddha: with infinite compassion & dedication to patient care; his instructions as Buddha’s own teaching: with unmistakable truth & rewarding, & medicines as deathless nectar: revitalizing & life giving. Doctors too view their patients as precious human being, & should be treated with equal devotion given to his or her own beloved mother

Lastly, the ultimate aims of objectives of TMS is to provide to the evergreen tree of our body system the two blossoming flowers of health & longevity bearing three fruits of spirituality, prosperity & happiness.