The Tibetan medical system is one of the world's oldest known medical traditions. It is an integral part of Tibetan culture and has developed throughout many centuries. It is believed that the origin of the Tibetan medical tradition is as old as civilization itself.
In a age where a growing proportion of people are turning to healing through natural processes or alternative medicines, surveys show that at the present time, at least one-third of the people of America use alternative medicines in some form or other. One of the fast growing holistic approach to health care or alternative medicine in the West is the Tibetan Science of Healing.
In that perspective, the course “History of Tibetan Medicine” is designed to offer a comprehensive survey of how Tibetans developed their ideas about and experiences of health, disease and medicine. It responds to these questions:
Course Materials: Men-Tsee-Khang. Fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine; Dharamsala: Men-Tsee-Khan, 2001; Other materials will be distributed in class.
- Ven. Rechung Rinpoche. Tibetan Medicine. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1976.
- Terry Clifford. Tibetan Buddhist Medicine and Psychiatry: The Diamond Healing. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1994.
- Bhagwan Dash. Tibetan Medicine with Special Reference to Yoga Sataka. Dharamsala: LTWA, 1976
Grading Criteria: Based on prompt attendance and active participation, preparation, overall performance, and examinations.