december 2011
DESCRIPTION
December 2011 newsletterTRANSCRIPT
Vol. XXIII Oct - Dec 2011
M E N - T S E E - K H A N G N e w s L e t t e r
Workshops & Courses Pg: 3
Medical tours & visits Pg: 6
Successful completion of Tsothel Pg: 4
Exhibition in Bodh Gaya Pg: 8
Research on Medicine in Nalanda University Pg: 9
CONTENTS
This is the official Newsletter of Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibet-an Medical & Astro. Insti-tute of H.H. the Dalai Lama). Gangchen Kyishong, Dharam-sala—176215, INDIA. It is published and distributed free of cost. However, we request donations to cover expenses. To make donations, please con-tact Mailing Co ordinator, Men-Tsee-Khang, Gangchen Kyis-hong, Dharamsala - 176215. INDIA.
EditorKalsang Dechen
Assistant editorMr. Tseten Dorjee
Mailing co-ordinatorMrs. Dolma Tsering
Tel: 0091-1892-223113/223222
Fax: 0091-1892-224116
E-mail:[email protected]
wwww.mentsee.org
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Pharmacy [email protected]
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Membership / Scholarship
Men-Tsee-Khang Exports
WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Presentation and Public Speaking Workshop
The administration takes the op-portunity in the event of necessary workshops organized in and around Dharamsala to train and improve skills of its human resourses. Twelve employees including doctors and astrologers were selected for im-proving skills of talking to the pub-lic and media. The “Presentation and Public Speaking Workshop” was for three days from 10-13 October, 2011.
The resource person was Sue Greenwod from England who worked both in the-atre and television as an actress, as well as teaching classical mime and directing. She is a qualified voice and speech specialist trained in London, a certified coach or men-tor trained in US and an authorized healer.
The mental and physical aspects are considered the two major areas for a good presentation. In the first case the content, shape and structure and how you present the material is important i.e what you want to say, to whom and for what reasons and emphasis to get things across. Fifty five percent of the presentation skills depends on the delivery techniques of the physical stuff like how you look and behave, what you say and how you sound.
Techniques on Impromtu speaking was also enlightened to the partici-pants stressing that the talk should be short, concise and direct.
Men-Tsee-Khang is deeply thank-ful to Sue Greenwood in accept-ing to coach our staff and of-fer her professional expertise.
Men-Tsee-Khang would also like to thank Library of Tibetan Works and Archives for the conference hall and also for accommodat-ing three of its staff (a doctor and two administration staff) on the same workshop organized by them
earlier from 4-7 October, 2011. COURSES
Austria - Diploma Course on Tradi-tional Tibetan Mild Therapies
Dr. Tenzin Lhundup was deputed by the administration to visit Ti-bet Center I.I.H.T.S at Huttenberg in Austria as a resource person to conduct teachings of the Diploma Course on “Traditional Tibetan Mild Therapies”. She visited Austria from September 17 – 19 December, 2011 for a period of three months. She started the Diploma Course on “Traditional Tibetan Mild Therapies” Module 15 A for the Weekened group from September 30 – 2 Oc-tober, 2011. She commenced the course by giving an introduction on Mild Therapies, history & types of fomentation, Indications and contra-
dictions, its techniques and benefits. Module 15 B began from 28 - 30 October, 2011 with explanations on the history of Medicinal Bath, Indica-tions and contradictions and its tech-niques and introduction on Natural Hot Springs. Module 15C started from 18 - 20 November, 2011. The topics covered was on application of heat therapies according to tra-ditional Tibetan system. She spoke on the uses of Hor Me-tsa, Tsug and Cupping practices.
Demonstrations, practical training and its applications were adminis-tered so that the participants would have a first hand experience in us-ing the therapy. They were divided into groups followed by revision on the topics and practical training with the teacher after every session.
Dr. Tsultrim Kalsang visited Tibet Center I.I.H.T.S at Huttenberg in Aus-tria from November 1 - 23 December, 2011. He completed Module 14 in seven days covering topics on the his-tory, indications and contradictions, techniques and benefits of Massage, seven psychosomatic natures of per-son and massage oils, dry and oil massage and post massage cleansing techniques. He also gave demon-
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Men-Tsee-Khang 3
SueGreenwoodwiththeparticipants
Doctor giving practical training to theparticipants
stration, practical training and revi-sion to the participants for five days and after completion of the above mild therapies (Module 14 - Module
15 C) written examination was con-ducted. There were around 29 par-ticipants who joined for the course.
DEGREE EXAMINATION
Menrampa Dringwa Degree
Menrampa Dringwa Degree exami-nation started from 2 November and completed on 5th November, 2011. There were nine candidates who appeared for the examination.
Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute) organized one month course preparation for the nine can-
didates which started from 3 Octo-ber, 2011. This is the third group of doctors appearing for the Menrampa Dringwa Degree. Dr. Pema Dorjee,
advisor; Dr. Tenpa Choephel, principal, Tibetan Medical & Astro. College; Dr. Tsering Norbu, head of Materia Medica Department and Lo-pon Gyatso la from Institute of Buddhist Dialectics were the four resource per-sons for the course. The candidates ap-peared for written exams and practi-cal materia medica.
Aftersixyearsoflearning,amedicalstudent graduates as a Tibetan doctor holding Kachupa Degree. After tenyearsofexperience,the doctors are al-lowedtositforMen-rampa Chungwa Degreeandthenaf-tersevenyearsgap,they can appear for the MenrampaDringwa Degree.
Kachupa Degree
Kachupa Degree ex-amination for the fi-nal year of XV batch medical students started from 10 Oc-tober, 2011. There were 20 students who appeared for the examination. The examination consists of oral recitation and writ-ten on medical text of fifth year
syllabus, philosophy, grammar & po-etry and practical. There is also an additional oral recitation on Gyud-sum or the Three Tantras which takes three and half to four hours for each student to complete the recitation. Two students appeared for the additional oral recitation. The graduate doctors are then sent to the branch clinics for one year internship on practical diagnosis.
TSOTHEL
Successful Completion of Tsothel
The Pharmacy Department success-fully completed the preparation of Tsothel (detoxified mercury) and the ceremony was held at the Men-
Tsee-Khang (MTK) Hall on 5 Novem-ber, 2011. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Honorable Health Minister, CTA. The other guest present were CCTM, Chairman Dr. Tsering Thakchoe Drungtso, Director MTK, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, Advisor Dr. Pema Dorjee. The Heads of all the department and the pharmacy staff joined the ceremony. The occasion commenced with the lighting of traditional butter lamp by the Chief Guest. The Head of Pharmacy Department, Dr. Jamyang
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Dr.TsultrimKalsangwiththeparticipants
MenrampaDringwaexamination
Thechiefguestaddressingthegathering
Tashi welcomed the guest and gave a brief report on the practice and formulation of Tsothel in Tibet.
Around 600 BC, the formulation was practiced in India by Acharya Vyali (byWa li) and composed three texts on this system. This formulation was transmitted to Acharya Nagar-juna (‘Phags-pa klu-sgrdub) and so the lineage passed down to Acha-rya Shurya or popularly known as Vagbhata (slop-dpon dpa’-bo) and Acharya Chandranandana (slop-pon zla-ba mngon-dga). In Tibet, this sacred formulation began and was practiced in the 8th century by Yuthok Yonten Gonpo and flour-ished during Guru Padmasambhava era. The lineage was then passed down by Karmapa Rangjung Dor-jee to Surkhar Nyamnyi Dorjee to Kongtrul Yonten Gyatso. In the 16century under the direction of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Darmo Menram-pa Lobsang Chodrak revived this system and was practiced during Desi Sange Gyatso period as well.
Dr. Tekhang Jampa Thupwang and Dr. Khenrab Norbu, Personal Physi-cian to the 13 Dalai Lama practiced this special system in the 19th cen-tury. This system of practice was then passed down by Dr. Khenrab Norbu to his students Dr. Palden Gyaltsen and Dr. Tenzin Choedrak in 1953. In 1977 Dr. Tenzin Choe-drak (Personal Physician to the 14 Dalai Lama) and Dr. Toru Tsenam and team prepared this sacred Tsothel formulation in the labour camp at Powo Tramo in Kongpo.
In exile, this is the sixth time the sa-cred Tsothel formulation has been prepared by the Pharmacy Depart-ment, Men-Tsee-Khang. After two decades of the establishment of the institute, His Holiness the 14th Da-lai Lama's aspiration to revive the practice of this sacred system was
initiated on 28 April, 1982 under the expert guidance of late Dr. Tenzin Choedrak, personal physician to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The preparation was carried out in the main residence of His Holiness by late Dr. Tenzin Choedrak along with eight doctors, eleven staff and per-sonnel. The first preparation took more than two months and was pre-pared by a total of 20 people in all.
On 16 July, 1987 the second Tsothel
preparation was done under late Dr. Tenzin Namgyal, head of pharmacy department including three doctors and eight staff members. In all there were twelve people who worked tire-lessly for one month and prepared 63.840 kgs successfully. In 1994 un-der the guidance of late Dr. Tenzin Choedrak, per-sonal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the third Tsothel preparation com-menced with 14 doctors and 13 staff members. Twenty eight staff worked for three months and com-
pleted 110 kgs of Tsothel. The fourth
Tsothel preparation was made on 5 April, 2001 with Dr. Namgyal Tsering, head of pharmacy department, un-dertaking the charge including five doctors and 20 staff members. They successfully completed 105.400 kgs of Tsothel in more than one month duration. On 17 April, 2008 the fifth Tsothel preparation was under-taken by Dr. Jamyang Tashi, head of pharmacy department with five doctors and 20 staff members. The
formulation was completed in 44 days with 115.873 kgs of Tsothel.
The sixth Tsothel preparation started on 12 September, 2011 on the aus-picious day of the lunar calendar i.e the 15 day of the 7th month, full
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detoxificationprocess
1982thefirstTsothelformulationinIndia. Late Dr. Tenzin Choedrak in the center
theheatingprocessoftsothel
moon day. It was undertaken by Dr. Jamyang Tashi, head of pharmacy department with five doctors and 23 staff of the department. It took 45 days of continuous work from 8 a.m to 7 p.m., sometimes working round the clock day and night for the prepa-ration process and successfully com-pleted the preparation of 125.975 kgs of Tsothel on 26 October, 2011.
The preservation process, blessings and rituals of the Tsothel prepa-ration are done according to the medical tradition passed down through ages. This ancient sys-tem is practiced so that it is passed and carried on by the future gen-eration to heal the diseased people.
Then the ceremony was followed with the presentation of certificates to the six doctors by the Health Min-ister and 27 staff by the Director of Men-Tsee-Khang. Dr. Jamyang Tashi, head of the pharmacy department in the presence of the gathering con-sumed 3 gms of prepared Tsothel to prove that the formulation is detoxi-fied and has the effective potency.
The Director, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin addressed the gathering by con-
gratulating the department on its successful completion of the Tsothel formulation which is a priceless, valu-able and life saving formulation. He mentioned about the grave need of this formulation in the 60's, however in 1982 with the arrival of Dr. Tenzin Choedrak from Tibet all the resourc-es and facilities were obtained and the first formulation was prepared. Since then the formulation has been prepared successfully five times.
He informed that he has two impor-tant issues to put forward. During the 2012 International Conference on Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa) many experts and doctors from vari-ous esteemed institutes will gather. The first issue is "to validate and make clear during the conference in presence of all the experts whether Tsothel and detoxified heavy met-als are toxic which takes life or an elixir which saves life”.
The second impor-tant issue is to be able to make the Tsothel formulation in 2014 or 2015. The aim is to invite scientist during the preparation process to research and document without bias what they have seen on first hand experience and clear the doubts of many experts and people all over. This ancient sys-tem has been practiced in Tibet, ages before science and its development began. The rich cultures, specially religion and Sowa Rigpa of Tibet cre-ated interest among many people of the world today because it relates mind and body in bringing happi-ness and getting rid of suffering.
The Honorable Health Minister, Dr.
Tsering Wangchuk congratulated the achievements of the institute since its inception in 1961 and the suc-cessful completion of the Tsothel formulation. He spoke on the impor-tance of joint collaboration between Tibetan tradiational and Western medical system and research. The ceremony was concluded with a thank you address by Dr. Ngawang Soepa, pharmaceutical department.
HEALTH CARE VISITS
Ladakh Jangthang
Dr. Dawa Dolma, Visiting Physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in Ladakh for a month. From 3 - 10 October she was in Men-Tsee-Khang Cultural Center, Ladakh; Choglamsar
settlement, Agling and TCV School at Leh, Ladakh. She gave treatment to 571 patients and visited personally to 86 patients who were bed ridden. From 11 - 27 October she visited the Jangthang remote areas of Bilsar, Goyul, Kagshung, Hanley, Nimar, Kagyu monastery, Sumdho, Khamde and Samedh. She saw 851 people and personally visited 16 bed rid-den patients there. She used exter-nal therapy like moxibustion, golden needle, heat therapy to 16 people.
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Dr. Jamyang Tashi consuming the detoxifiedtsothelpowder Dr.DawaDolmausingmoxibustiontoapatient
In all, the doctor gave health treat-ment to 1540 patients during her visit to Ladakh.
NEPAL
Dr. Sonam Lhamo, Incharge of Dick-yiling branch clinic visited Nepal from September 27 - 19 October, 2011 as deputed by the administra-tion. On 29 September she visited Drepung Tsethang Loling monas-tery at Yanglashoe and gave health care to Ven. Dupthob Rinpoche. She also treated the monks and staff working at the monastery.
From 30 September - 15 October the doctor visited Chetrapati, Jolakhiel, Chabahil, Kopan nunnery, Pokhara Tashiling, Pokhara Jampaling, Tser-ing Old Age Home, Women Old Age Home and Thukje Choling Nunnery. In all the doctor saw around 1000 patients during her trip in Nepal.
WEST INDIA
Dr. Kyizom, Incharge of Mundgod camp # 3 branch clinic was direct-ed by the administration to visit the west part of India for provid-ing health care and service to the community living there from 1 -15 October, 2011. She visited four places in the west starting with Orissa, Bhubaneshwar, Mainpat and Bandara.
She treated a total of 382 peo-ple and attended to 54 bedrid-den patients personally. The most common problems faced by the people are arthritis, stomach disor-der, hypertension, neurology and hepatitis B. She visited old age homes and went personally to the homes of the bed ridden patients.
from Men-Tsee-Khang and Ayurved, H.P. and the project on New Medi-cal & Astro. College of Men-Tsee-Khang. Earlier, on 31st August 2011 when the Director and the Regis-trar of Men-Tsee-Khang met with the Honorable Health Minister at Dharamsala, the Minister gave sug-gestions to have such a meeting.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Talk by Resource Persons
Tibetan Medical & Astro. College in-vites resource persons to speak to the students of the college. The College requested Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche Jamyang Dondrub to give discourse on disorders caused by evil spirits. On 1 October, 2011 the teachings was given at Chime Gatseling Monas-tery, Sidhpur the residence and mon-astery of Khamtrul Rinpoche. Therewere a total of around 40 medical and astrology students and lecturers.
On 6 November, 2011 Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche Jamyang Don-drub gave empowerment and trans-mission of Medicine Buddha, trans-mission on mantras of 18 infectious diseases to around 150 students,
NORTH EAST INDIA
Dr. Yeshi Dorjee, Incharge of Mcleod Branch clinic visited the North East part of India from 4 October to 4 December, 2011. The doctor vis-ited 13 places in the area (Shillong, Dimapur, Tuting, Tenzin Gang, Bom-dila, Dhirang, Tawang, Tezu, Miao, Ravangla, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Ka-limpong).
He provided traditional health care service to 1567 people during the tour. He attended to old and bedrid-den patients as well. He gave health talk to the community and school children.
MEETING WITH H.P HEALTH MINISTER
Honorable Minster of Health, H.P Calls on the team from
Men-Tsee-Khang
The Director, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, Registrar, Mr. Tsering Phuntsok of Men-Tsee-Khang and Dr. Tser-ing Thakchoe Drungtso, Chairman CCTM (Central Council of Tibetan Medicine) attended the meeting with the Honorable Health Minis-ter, Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh in Shimla on 9 November, 2011. The other mem-bers present were Shri. A.R. Rizvi, the secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh; Shri. Dr. Rakesh Pandit, di-rector, Ayurved, Himachal Pradesh and Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Additional Director, Ayurved, Himachal Pradesh.
The team from both sides discussed three important issues during the meeting on Collaboration i.e training of Ayurvedic doctors in Men-Tsee-Khang, creation of a Joint Research Group consisting of members both
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Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche
lecturers and doctors at Chime Gatsel Ling monastery in Sidhpur
On 18 October, 2011 Dr. Richard J. Davidson, USA was invited as the resource person to speak on intro-duction to Neuroscience. He spoke about affective disorders and how emotion affects our physical body. Dr. Davidson is a William James and
Vilas Research Professor of Psycholo-gy and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his PhD from Harvard University in Psy-chology and has been at Wisconsin since 1984. There were 50 students both medical and astrology, lecturers and doctors who attended the talk.
EXHIBITION
Bodh Gaya
The Golden Jubilee exhibition of Men-Tsee-Khang was set up in Bodh Gaya during the Kalachakra teach-ings after touring north, north east and south India. The exhibition was inaugurated on 30 December, 2011 at 9 a.m by Mr. Pema Khandu, Hon-orable Minister of WRD & Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh and Chief Patron of Kalachakra Committee. He was
the chief guest on the occasion. The other guests present were Mr. Nang-sa Dorjee, secretary, BTMC (Bodh-gaya Temple Management Commit-tee); Mr. Pema Chojor,kalon Religion & Culture, CTA; Mr. Wangchuk Pha-sur, secretary, De-partment of Health, CTA and Ven. Lama Ngawang Norbu, Chairman of Ka-lachakra Committee. The exhibition start-ed on 30 December, 2011 and it was held for 10 days.
The exhibition com-menced with the lighting of butter lamp by the chief guest and homage prayer to Yuthok Yonten Gonpo. Then, Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, registrar of Men-Tsee-Khang welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. He gave an introductory speech on the occa-sion. Ven. Tenpa Tashi, Chairman of the 50 years organizing commit-tee thanked the chief guest for his gracious presence and also appreci-ated the other guest for their pres-ence. After the ceremony, the exhi-bition was displayed to the guests. Press and media persons were
also present during the ceremony. The chief guest congratulated Men-Tsee-Khang on its golden jubilee occasion and admired the devel-opment of the institute into a full-fledged institution since its incep-
tion while questioned by the press. He lauded the social service and health care rendered by the insti-tute to the suffering people all over. During the Kalachakra teachings the exhibition remained closed. On 30 December the exhibition was opened for the full day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The timing for the exhibition was scheduled at 9 a.m. - 11 a.m and 4.30 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. from 1 - 10 Jan, 2012. Thousands of people from var-
ious places, Tibetans in and outside Tibet, foreigners and local Indians participated and came to see the exhibition display. The exhibition was headed by Ven. Ten-pa Tashi, lecturer of Tibetan medical & Astro. College and Chairman of 50 years organizing commit-tee. The team in-cluded members of the committee (Dr.
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Dr. Richard J. Davidson
HonorableMinister of Tourism&WRDMr. Pema Khanduwith the press
Honorable Minister Mr. Pema Khandu viewing the exhibitiondisplay
Passang Wangdu, lec-turer of Tibetan Medi-cal & Astro. College; Dr. Sonam Dolkar Oshoe, Sorig Literary Research Department; Mr. Tser-ing Paljor, computer section; Mr. Kalsang Dawa, Project officer and Miss. Kalsang Dech-en, Editor), Astrologer Tenzin Nandak, Astrol-oger Sonam Palmo and Mr. Dorjee Nyima from Pharmacy department. The astrologers pro-vided their services to the people anytime by making calculations for the deceased in Bodh Gaya.
Apart from exhibition, Men-Tsee-Khang also opened four clinics to serve the pilgrims who have come for the teachings. The clinics were set up in four different locations to avail the health accessibility to all.
Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank Kusho Tenzin Thapke (Incharge of Namgyal Monastery, Bodh Gaya) and Mr. Thinlay (Manager, Mahayana Ho-tel, Branch Namgyal Monastery) for their help and assistance during the golden jubilee exhibition and medi-cal camp trip to Bodh Gaya.
MEDICINE IN NALANDA UNIVERSITY
Primary references in Tibetan Medi-cal and Buddhist Texts and History
1) Root Tantra (rTsa rGyud)The Root Tantra of the Four Great Medical Tantra Texts, or rGyud bZhi, of Tibetan medicine describes that the perfect Śakyamuni Buddha en-tered into a stable meditative con-centration (samādhi) called “The King of Medicine Meditation.” This samādhi could solve four hundred
and four kinds of illnesses for all sen-tient beings. The Lord Buddha was surrounded by the four different retinues. These retinues comprise of the followers of the Gods, the fol-lowers of the sages, the followers of Hinduism, and the followers of Bud-dhism.
The listeners of the Gods included the great celestial physician Prajapa-ti Daksa, Asvini-Kumaran, the divine sovereign Indra, the goddess Am-rita Devi, and so forth. The listen-ers of the sages included the great sage Atreya, Agniveśa, Nimin-Dhara, Kasayapa, Caraka-Pariv-Rajika, Bhar-advaja, Dhanwantari, Punarvasu, and so forth. The listeners of Hindu-ism included the great Brahmā, Śiva, Sadmukha-Kumara, and so forth. The listeners of Buddhism included Mañjuśrī, Avalokiteśvara, Vajrapani, Ananda, Kumara Jivaka, and so forth. These four retinues were taught medical knowledge directly by the Lord Buddha that was heard in each of their own respective languages at the same time; and they also under-stood the profound medical teach-ings of the Lord Buddha immediately at the same time.
2) Reference from the rGyud Ta-pa in the Kangyur (inTibetan,bKa-’gyur;also known as the Tripitaka that was translated into Tibetan)
There is a Sutra translated from Sanskrit to Tibetan called De-bZhin-gShegs-pa-bdun-gyi-sNgon-gyi-sMon-lam-khyad-par-rGyas-pa-shes-bya-va-Theg-pa-Chen-po’i-mDo-Las-bam-po-gNyis-pa (rough translation)Tathāgata-sapta-pūrva-prañidhāna-viziśṭa-upacaya-iti-mahāyāna-sūtra). Lord Buddha entered samādhi, the fully concentrated meditation, in or-der to invite the seven Medicine Buddhas from the countless uni-verses in the far east to Vaishali in Magadha of India, known in Ti-betan as Yangpachen, or Rol-mo’i-
sGra-chen, the place of the sweetest sounds of music on earth.
3) The ancient lineages of medi-cal experts and Buddhist masters. Reference from the rGyud-bZhi’i-Bla-rGyud-gSol-‘debs, a prayer book regarding the ancient Buddhist medicine lineages.During the Lord Buddha’s medical teaching to the four retinues, the great sage Atreya (in Tibetan, rGyun-Shes-Bu) taught medicine to his dis-ciple, known as the great Kumara Jivaka, the Lord Buddha’s own physi-cian. The Buddhist medical master Jivaka was the son of King gZugs-chen-sNying-po. Jivaka grew up un-der the care of the king’s elder son gShon-Nu-Jig-med, and thus, Jivaka gained the name gZhon-nus-gSos.
The Lord Buddha’s physician Jivaka is known in Tibetan as ‘Tso-byed-gZhon-Nu. Jivaka was a medical master of Nagarjuna (in Tibetan, kLu-sGrub), and one of his top disci-ples was known as Arya-Deva. Arya-Deva taught medicine to his student Acharya Shurya popularly known as Vagbhata (in Tibetan, sLob-dPon-dPa-wo).
The great master Vagbhata wrote the Aṣṭāṅgahṛidaya, or the “Eight Branches of the Ambrosia Essence
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Publicattheexhibitiondisplay
Tantra” (in Tibetan, Yan-lag-brGyad-pa’i-sNying-po). Acharya Vagbhatta taught medicine to his disciple Chan-dranandana (Kha-che Dawa-mNgon-dGa’). Chandranandana wrote a commentary entitled Chandrika (in Tibetan, ‘Grel-pa-zLa-Zer) regarding the Aṣṭāṅgahṛidaya.
4) Reference from the Yuthog Namthar, the biography of the elder YuthogDuring the reign of King Trison De-tsen’s in Tibet in ninth century, one of the great scholars and an abbot of Nalanda University called Boddhista was invited to Tibet to spread Bud-dhism in Tibet. At the age of twenty-five, the elder Yuthog Yonten visited India via Nepal. During his travels he met Mahālotsawa Vairocana along the way. He also learned the great medical sciences at the side of the Great master Chandra Deva.
Chandra Deva told him that the great Lotsawa Vairocana translated the Four Great Medical Tantras (rGyud-bZhi). Yuthog spent much time learn-ing the medical sciences at the side of Chandra Deva, as well as many eminent physicians, because he trav-eled three times to India. Thus, it is likely that the elder Yuthog visited Nalanda as well.
5) Reference from the biography of Jowo-Je-dPal-Den-Atisha (in San-skrit, Depan Kara Shri)Jowo Je studied and became a great scholar of Nalanda University. He was invited to Tibet by the religious king Lha Lama Yeshe Woe. In 1040 CE, Jowo Je visited Tibet. He taught medicine at Nyethang in Tibet to some of his disciples. These teach-ings were the Eight Branches of Am-brosia (Ashtānghridya). Thus, it is clear that there was Buddhist medi-cal science taught at Nalanda Univer-sity even during ancient times.
6) Reference from book entitled the History of Tibetan MedicineIn the tenth century, Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo was sent to study in Kashmir where he engaged in extensive study of the medical sciences. Particularly, he studied the Ashtānghridya and Chandrika commentary (in Tibetan, Delpa Dazer) at the side of the emi-nent scholar Pandit Janardana. Lat-er, he perfectly translated these two books into Tibetan.
7) Reference from Desi Kog-Bhug, a book on the history of Tibetan med-icine by Chejay Shangton (Chos-rJe-Shang-sTon)At the end of the eleventh century Thuk-Je-Tri-woe, also known as Chejay Shangton, visited Nalanda. There, he received instructions on Ashtānghridya from Rishi Anand. Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo taught his disciple Chejay Tipang. Chejay Tipang taught his own son called Aulang Tashi-kar and to the six sons of his elder brother. The six sons taught Toggyal, Jophen and Jonang. Chejay Shangton received teachings on Delpa Dazer from Toggyal, Jo-phen and Jonang, and thus, became an eminent scholar on the medical sciences. Chejay Shangton wrote a book called Kogbhug Gyaltsen Tse Bar. The Tibetan literature does not include this text. It has been lost.
8) Reference from the biography of the younger Yuthog Yonten GonpoIn the twelfth century the younger Yuthog Yonten Gonpo visited India, Singala (Burma), and Sri Lanka (in Tibetan, gSer-gling) six times. He also visited Bodh Gaya (in Tibetan, rDo-rje gDan). He gave teachings for hundreds of assembled Indian Bud-dhist scholars there.
He also practiced the Ashtānghridya toward the later part of his life, and he learned the Four Great Medical Tantras from Rogton Konchog Kyab.
At the end of his life, he set up a new medical school called Tana-Dhug in Kongpo, Tibet, subsequently spread-ing Buddhist medical science across Tibet.9) Reference from the autobiogra-phy of the younger Yuthog Yonten Gonpo As articulated in the autobiography of the younger Yuthog Yonten Gon-po, along his travels to India, he ar-rived at Varanasi. Here, he learned about the Ashtānghridya. He also mentioned the concurrent studies of various other texts. Then he trav-eled to Sri Lanka. Here, he studied the Four Medical Tantras (rGyud bZhi). Thereafter, he traveled to Ban-gladesh and studied Chandrika (in Ti-betan, ‘grel-pa zLa Zer), and so forth. He also traveled to Persia and Mon-golia to study their medical texts as well.
In the secret Tantric wheel of Dhar-ma of Yuthog and his Buddhist Texts clearly explained that when he was in Sri Lanka he received many kinds of medical teaching including the Four Great Medical Tantras through scholars and also received some kind of secret Tantric teachings from the head of Dakini (mKhadoe-gTso-mo-dPelden-Khrengwa).
10) Views of my own opinionBased on the historical facts of Tibet, we can understand what had hap-pened in Tibet in the earlier centu-ries. In the 12th century during the Younger Yuthog Yonten Gonpo he collected many different types of knowledge related in medicine such as ancient Tibetan civilizations of Bon, histories of kings of Tibet specially during King Namri-Songtsen and the great 33rd King Songtsen-Gangpo in the 6th-7th century. During the great King Trisong-Duetsen and the great King Tri Ralpa-chen (8th-9th century) Tibetan civilization became propsperous and developed to its
Article Oct - Dec 2011
Men-Tsee-Khang 10
greatest peak. Not only the collec-tions of knowledge inside Tibet but also from China, Persia, Mongolia, Nepal, India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kash-mir were analysed, researched and assimilated into the Tibetan system of healing. On the basis of the Four Great Medical Tantras the Younger Yuthog Yonten Gonpo rewrote, ed-ited and completed the Four Great Medical Tantras and spread the medical teachings all across Tibet.
SummaryFrom above references, it seems that Buddhist medical science was taught in addition to Buddhist philosophy at Nalanda University. Hence, besides philosophy ancient Indian Buddhist masters had full knowledge of medi-cal science as well. Due to its influ-ences, the great Tibetan Buddhist master Je Tsongkha pa also gained knowledge about medicine while practicing the various fields of Bud-dhist philosophy and Tantric teach-ings. Thus, many of Tibetan Bud-dhist masters and scholars have the knowledge of medical science even to this day.
Unfortunately, by the end of the twelfth century, Nalanda University was destroyed and thus many origi-nal records have been lost.
Reference by Dr. Kelsang Dhonden Tulkhor
Sorig Literary Research Department of Men Tsee Khang,
Dharamsala.
DonationsOct - Dec 2011
Men-Tsee-Khang 11
Donations received from October - December, 2011
Staff Children Scholarship
Donor Country Amount(Rs)Gabriele Strehlau and Frank Ebert Germany 17,608.00 Elvy Ingegard Sweden 8,443.00 Yves Betant France 256,427.00 Inger Axio Albinsson Sweden 9,000.00 Inger Axio Albinsson Sweden 9,000.00 Gerald L.Heikes USA 11,160.00 Nicoletta Lanciano Italy 8,528.00 Perry Smith New York 117,600.00 Luigi Grimaldi Italy 14,210.00 Yvonne Mariotti Nesurini Switzerland 5,390.00 Inter Educare e.v Germany 269,280.00 Heide Meyer Germany 49,972.00 Carta Tonella Switzerland 4,290.00 Ann Brunila Finland 24,500.00 Stig and Ingela Isaksson Sweden 16,500.00 Stig and Ingela Isaksson Sweden 16,500.00 Kasia Novak Canada 11,238.00
Donation
Jenet Yellowchan USA 848.00 Steve Hoit USA 10,000.00 Do Ngoc Trinh(Bay Ha) and Family Vietnam 50,198.00 Pema Khandu (Minister of Tourism) Arunachal Pradesh 50,000.00 Tibetan Women’s Association Dharamsala 1,500.00
Poor and Needy Patients Fund
Tove Langenryr Larsen Norway 61,099.00 Tove Langenryr Larsen Norway 62,662.00
Scholarship
Perry Smith New York 94,498.00
Donations received through branch department
Mr. Chandrakant and Jaya Gogri, Paresh Zatakia, Jayantilal Poker, Hasmukh & Ina Satra, Jaya Maa, Himanshu Bai Mumbai 20,000.00
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UPCOMING EVENTS
1 - 9 Feb, 2012 Dr. Tsering Thakchoe Drungtso visits Australia 3 - 25 Jan, 2012 Dr. Dawa Dolma visits Huttenberg, Austria 4 - 7 Feb, 2012 Golden Jubilee Exhibition at IIC, New Delhi Feb 24 - 7 Mar, 2012 Dr. Khentse visits Huttenberg, Austria Mar 7 - 8 Apr, 2012 Dr. Dawa Dolma visits Huttenberg, Austria 16 - 18 Mar, 2012 Tibetan Medical Camp “Ceremony of Bodhi Awakening” Organized by Tibet House at IIC, New Delhi 30 Apr, 7 & 14 May, 2012 Sue Greenwood will be giving Public Speaking and Presentation Workshop for Men-Tsee-Khang staff