Traditional Tibetan medicineFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Traditional Tibetan medicine (Tibetan: བོད་kyི་གསོ་བ་རིག་པ་, Wylie: Ggso ba rig pa) is a centuries-oldtraditional medical system that employs a complex approach to diagnosis, incorporating techniques such aspulse analysis and urinalysis, and utilizes behavior and dietary modification, medicines composed of naturalmaterials (e.g., herbs and minerals) and physical therapies (e.g. Tibetan acupuncture, moxabustion, etc.) totreat illness.

The Tibetan medical system is based upon Indian Buddhist literature (for example Abhidharma andVajrayana tantras) and Ayurveda.[1] It continues to be practiced in Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh,Siberia, China and Mongolia, as well as more recently in parts of Europe and North America. It embracesthe traditional Buddhist belief that all illness ultimately results from the three poisons: ignorance, attachmentand aversion. Tibetan medicine follows the Buddha's Four Noble Truths which apply medical diagnosticlogic to suffering.[2]

Contents1 History2 Four Tantras3 Three principles of function4 Usage5 See also6 References7 External links

HistoryAs Indian culture flooded Tibet in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a number of Indian medical texts werealso transmitted.[3] For example, the Ayurvedic Astāngahrdayasamhitā (Heart of Medicine Compendiumattributed to Vagbhata) was translated into Tibetan by Rinchen Zangpo (957–1055).[4] Tibet also absorbedthe early Indian Abhidharma literature, for example the fifth century Abhidharmakosasabhasyam byVasubandhu, which expounds upon medical topics, such as fetal development.[5] A wide range of IndianVajrayana tantras, containing practices based on medical anatomy, were subsequently absorbed into Tibet.[6]

Some scholars believe that rgyud bzhi (the Four Tantras) was told by the Lord Buddha, while some believeit is the primary work of Yuthok Yontan Gonpo (708 AD).[7] The former opinion is often refuted by saying"If it was told by the Lord Buddha, rgyud bzhi should have a Sanskrit version". However, there is no suchversion and also no Indian practitioners who have received unbroken lineage of rgyud bzhi. Thus, the laterthought should be scholarly considered authentic and practical. The provenance is uncertain.

Youthog Yontag Gonopo adapted and synthesized the Four Tantras in the 12th Century. The Four Tantras arescholarly debated as having Indian origins or, as Remedy Master Buddha Bhaisajyaguru's word or, asauthentically Tibetan with Chinese origins. It was not formally taught in schools at first but, intertwined with

Tibetan Buddhism. The 5th Dalai Lama supported Desi Sangye Gyatso to found the pioneering ChagporiCollege of Medicine in 1696. Chagpori taught Gyamtso's Blue Beryl as well as the Four Tantras in a modelthat spread throughout Tibet along with the oral tradition.[2]

Four TantrasThe Four Tantras (Gyushi, rGyu-bzhi) are native Tibetan texts incorporating Indian, Chinese and Greco-Arab medical systems.[8] The Four Tantras is believed to have been created in the twelfth century and stilltoday is considered the basis of Tibetan medical practise.[9] The Four Tantras is the common name for thetext of the Secret Tantra Instruction on the Eight Branches, the Immortality Elixir essence. It considers asingle medical doctrine from four perspectives. Sage Vidyajnana expounded their manifestation.[2] The basisof the Four Tantras is to keep the three bodily humors in balance; (wind rlung, bile mkhris pa, phlegm badkan.)

Root Tantra - A general outline of the principles of Tibetan Medicine, it discusses the humors in thebody and their imbalances and their link to illness. The Four Tantra uses visual observation todiagnose predominantly the analysis of the pulse, tongue and analysis of the urine (in modern termsknown as urinalysis )

Exegetical Tantra - This section discusses in greater detail the theory behind the Four Tantras andgives general theory on subjects such as anatomy, physiology, psychopathology, embryology andtreatment.

Instructional Tantra -The longest of the Tantras is mainly a practical application of treatment, itexplains in detail illnesses and which humoral imbalance which causes the illness. This section alsodescribes their specific treatments.

Subsequent Tantra - Diagnosis and therapies, including the preparation of Tibetan medicine andcleansing of the body internally and externally with the use of techniques such as moxibustion,massage and minor surgeries.

Some believe the Four Tantra to be the authentic teachings of the Buddha 'Master of remedies' which wastranslated from sanskrit, others believe it to be solely Tibetan in creation by Yuthog the Elder or Yuthog theYounger. Noting these two theories there remain others sceptical as to its original author.

Believers in the Buddhist origin of the Four Tantras and how it came to be in Tibet believe it was first taughtin India by the buddha when he manifested as the 'Master of Remedies'. The Four Tantra was then in theeighth century translated and offered to Padmasambhava by Vairocana and concealed in a monastery calledsamye. In the second half of the eleventh century it was rediscovered and in the following century it was inthe hands of Yuthog the Younger who completed the Four Tantras and included elements of Tibetanmedicine, which would explain why there is Indian elements to the Four Tantras.[10]

Although there is clear written instruction in the Four Tantra, the oral transmission of medical knowledgestill remained a strong element in Tibetan Medicine, for example oral instruction may have been needed toknow how to perform a moxibustion technique.

Three principles of function

Like other systems of traditional Asian medicine, and in contrast to biomedicine, Tibetan medicine first putsforth a specific definition of health in its theoretical texts. To have good health, Tibetan medical theory statesthat it is necessary to maintain balance in the body's three principles of function [often translated as humors]:rLung (pron. Loong), mKhris-pa (pron. Tree-pa) [often translated as bile], and Bad-kan (pron. Pay-gen)[often translated as phlegm].[11]

• rLung[11] is the source of the body's ability to circulate physical substances (e.g. blood), energy (e.g.nervous system impulses), and the non-physical (e.g. thoughts). In embryological development, the mind'sexpression of materialism is manifested as the system of rLung. There are five distinct subcategories ofrLung each with specific locations and functions: Srog-'Dzin rLüng, Gyen-rGyu rLung, Khyab-Byed rLüng,Me-mNyam rLung, Thur-Sel rLüng.

• mKhris-pa[11] is characterized by the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of heat, and is the sourceof many functions such as thermoregulation, metabolism, liver function and discriminating intellect. Inembryological development, the mind's expression of aggression is manifested as the system of mKhris-pa.There are five distinct subcategories of mKhris-pa each with specific locations and functions: 'Ju-ByedmKhris-pa, sGrub-Byed mKhris-pa, mDangs-sGyur mKhris-pa, mThong-Byed mKhris-pa, mDog-SelmKhris-pa.

• Bad-kan[11] is characterized by the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of cold, and is the source ofmany functions such as aspects of digestion, the maintenance of our physical structure, joint health andmental stability. In embryological development, the mind's expression of ignorance is manifested as thesystem of Bad-kan. There are five distinct subcategories of Bad-kan each with specific locations andfunctions: rTen-Byed Bad-kan, Myag-byed Bad-kan, Myong-Byed Bad-kan, Tsim-Byed Bad-kan, 'Byor-ByedBad-kan.

UsageThe only Tibetan medicine manufactured outside of India is PADMA 28. It is produced in Switzerland and ismade from 22 different herbs . PADMA 28 is mainly used to treat circulatory disorders and atherosclerosis .It also has the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that are beneficial for our body.[12]

A key objective of the government of Tibet is to promote traditional Tibetan medicine among the otherethnic groups in China. Once an esoteric monastic secret, the Tibet University of Traditional TibetanMedicine and the Qinghai University Medical School now offer courses in the practice. In addition,Tibetologists from Tibet have traveled to European countries such as Spain to lecture on the topic.[13]

The Tibetan government-in-exile has also kept up the practise of Tibetan Medicine in India since 1961 whenit re-established the Men-Tsee-Khang (the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute). It now has 48 branchclinics in India and Nepal.[14]

See alsoAyurvedaYoga and NaturopathyUnaniSiddha medicineHomoeopathyList of branches of alternative medicine

Music therapyEliot TokarNagarjuna

References1. Garrett, Frances (2008). Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet. Routledge. pp. 23–32.2. Gyamtso, Sangye. "Intro card". Tibetan Medicine Cards: Illustrations and Text from the Blue Beryl Treatise of

Sangye Gyamtso (1653-1705). Pomegranate Communications. p. 32. ISBN 978-0764917615.3. Garrett, Frances (2008). Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet. Routledge. p. 23.4. Garrett, Frances (2008). Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet. Routledge. p. 24.5. Garrett, Frances (2008). Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet. Routledge. pp. 26–27.6. Garrett, Frances (2008). Religion, Medicine and the Human Embryo in Tibet. Routledge. p. 31.7. Mirror of Beryl: A Historical Introduction to Tibetan Medicine Desi Sangye Gyatso, translated by Gavin Kilty,

Wisdom Publications 2009. ISBN 0-86171-467-98. Bynum, W.F. Dictionary of Medical Biography. London: Greenwood Press. p. 1343.9. Alphen, Jon Van. Oriental Medicine- An illustrated Guide to the Asian Arts of Healing. London: Serindia

Publications. p. 114.10. Alphen, Jan Van. Oriental Medicine An Illustrated Guide to the Asian Arts of Healing. London: Serindia

Publications. p. 114.11. The Basic Tantra and the Explanatory Tantra from the Secret Quintessential Instructions on the Eight Branches of

the Ambrosia Essence Tantra Men-Tsee-Khang: India 2008 ISBN 81-86419-62-412. http://www.padma.ch/en/products/padma-28/use-of-padma-28.html. Retrieved 24 April 2014. Missing or empty

|title= (help)13. Wen, Fu (2010-11-19). "Push to bring Tibetan medicine to the world". Global Times. Retrieved 2010-11-19.14. Tibetan Medical & Astrology Institute of the Dalai Lama (http://www.men-tsee-khang.org/Istatus/establish.htm)

Avedon, John F. (1981-01-11). "Exploring the Mysteries of Tibetan Medicine". The New York Times.Lowe, Justin (1997) "The wisdom of Tibetan medicine", Earth Island Journal, 0412:2, | 9(1) ISSN:10410406Evaluation of medicinal plants as part of Tibetan medicine prospective observational study in Sikkimand Nepal. Witt CM; Berling NEJ; Rinpoche NT; Cuomo M; Willich SN | Journal of Alternative &Complementary Medicine | 2009-01-0115:1, | 59(7) | ISSN: 10755535 |Analysis of Five Pharmacologically Active Compounds from the Tibetan Medicine Elsholtzia withMicellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography. Chenxu Ding; Lingyun Wang; Xianen Zhao; YulinLi; Honglun Wang; Jinmao You; Yourui Suo | Journal of Liquid Chromatography & RelatedTechnologies | 200730:20, | 3069(15) | ISSN: 10826076HPLC-APCI-MS Determination of Free Fatty Acids in Tibet Folk Medicine Lomatogonium rotatumwith Fluorescence Detection and Mass Spectrometric Identification. Yulin Li; Xian'en Zhao; ChenxuDing; Honglun Wang; Yourui Suo; Guichen Chen; Jinmao You | Journal of Liquid Chromatography &Related Technologies | 200629:18, | 2741(11) | ISSN: 10826076Stack, Peter. "The Spiritual Logic Of Tibetan Healing.(Review)." San Francisco Chronicle. (Feb 20,1998)Dunkenberger, Thomas / "Tibetan Healing Handbook" / Lotus Press - Shangri-La, Twin Lakes, WI /2000 / ISBN 0-914955-66-7Buddhism, science, and market: the globalisation of Tibetan medicine. JANES, CRAIG R. |Anthropology & Medicine | 2002-129:3, | 267(23) | ISSN: 13648470 |Through the Tibetan Looking Glass. Bauer, James Ladd | Journal of Alternative & ComplementaryMedicine | 2000-086:4, | 303(2) | ISSN: 10755535"So What if There is No Immediate Explanation?" Jobst, Kim A. | Journal of Alternative &Complementary Medicine | 1998-014:4, | 355(3) | ISSN: 10755535

External links

Traditional Tibetan Medicine Forum at Health Unfolded(http://healthunfolded.com/index.php/board,9.0.html)Tibetan Medical & Astrology Institute of the Dalai Lama (http://www.men-tsee-khang.org/)Tibetanmedicine.com (http://www.tibetanmedicine.com/)Central Council of Tibetan Medicine (http://www.tibmedcouncil.org/)Academy for Traditional Tibetan Medicine (http://www.iattm.net/)Tibetan medicine and astrology (http://www.mentsee.org)

This article incorporates text from Americanized Encyclopædia Britannica: rev. and amended Adictionary of arts, sciences and literature, to which is added biographies of living subjects. 96 coloredmaps and numerous illustrations, Volume 9, a publication from 1890 now in the public domain in theUnited States.

This article incorporates text from The home encyclopædia: compiled and revised to date from theleading encyclopædias, Volume 18, a publication from 1895 now in the public domain in the UnitedStates.

This article incorporates text from Americanized Encyclopædia Britannica, revised and amended:A dictionary of arts, sciences and literature; to which is added biographies of livings subjects ..., apublication from 1890 now in the public domain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The encyclopædia britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences,literature and general information, Volume 26, by Hugh Chisholm, a publication from 1911 now in thepublic domain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The Encyclopædia Britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, andgeneral literature, Volume 23, by Thomas Spencer Baynes, a publication from 1888 now in the publicdomain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The Encyclopædia Britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences,literature and general information, Volume 26, by Hugh Chisholm, a publication from 1911 now in thepublic domain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The Encyclopædia britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, andgeneral literature ; the R.S. Peale reprint, with new maps and original American articles, Volume 23,by William Harrison De Puy, a publication from 1893 now in the public domain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The Life of the Buddha and the early history of his order:derived from Tibetan works in the Bkah-hgyur and Bstan-hgyur followed by notices on the earlyhistory of Tibet and Khoten, by Translated by William Woodville Rockhill, Ernst Leumann, BunyiuNanjio, a publication from 1907 now in the public domain in the United States.

This article incorporates text from The life of the Buddha: and the early history of his order, byWilliam Woodville Rockhill, Ernst Leumann, Bunyiu Nanjio, a publication from 1884 now in thepublic domain in the United States.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Traditional_Tibetan_medicine&oldid=679278768"

Categories: Tibetan medicine Traditional medicine by location Science and technology in Tibet Tibet

This page was last modified on 3 September 2015, at 15:57.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms mayapply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registeredtrademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.