A single drug against a single cause?

The nature of Tibetan Medicine as multi-compound formula is difficult to understand from a scientific mindset. Why so? On the one hand modern science is in its foundations strongly influenced by Greek philosophy Aristotle ()384 BC-322 BC) already proclaimed the existence of a single proper cause fro all observed phenomena:. Later the medieval physician Paracelsus (1494-1541) stated that "against each disease there exists a plant". These concepts paved the wary for modern pharmaceutical science: diseases are treated with single active compounds. In modern "rational" Phytotherapy this results in herbal products containing only one single herb.

On the other hand, the overall concepts of Tibetan medicine are largely unknown. In modern medicine, a medical indication has to be defined in Western medical terms. Introducing concepts of Tibetan medicine into modern medicine entails not only a linguistic translation but a profound understanding of both Tibetan and Western medical concepts and terminology. A close collaboration of experts in these fields is therefore necessary. 

Gyueshi Translation Project

There are different views on the translation of Tibetan medical textbook called “Gyueshi” into other languages. Many people refute that the Gyueshi translation should not be done by Tibetans. However, many medical books have been translated into English by non-Tibetan speakers, and the translation seems to be distorted as the translator lacks the knowledge of Tibetan medicine. Thereafter, it will create a weak image on Tibetan medicine.     

Why does name matter?

One day, a disciple asked Confucius: "If a king were to entrust you with a territory which you could govern according to your ideas, what would you do first?"

Confucius replied: "My first task would certainly be to rectify the names."

The puzzled disciple asked: "Rectify the names?…Is this a joke?"

Confucius replied: "If the names are not correct, if they do not match realities, language has no object. If language is without an object, action becomes impossible - and therefore all human affairs disintegrate and their management becomes pointless and impossible. Hence, the very first task of a true statesman is to rectify the names."

Source: Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, UK

What does Health Mean?

According to World Health Organization, health means a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely absence of disease or infirmity. With reference to traditional Tibetan Medicine, health means a balanced state of the three principle energies.  

Going in-between lines of these two disciplines, traditional system seems to be more holistic as it encompasses energy levels, which is beyond the cellular explanation of modern science.  The concept of mental well-being may imply the ability of the mind to function normally, though the mind full of negative emotions such as hatred, delusion and attachment.  Therefore, health is also a state of complete spiritual well-being.

Spirituality largely deals with the way we think, not how the mind is well-being. There is a suitable question which determines the state of your spirituality. Is the glass half full or half empty?

When you say the glass is half empty, you are well mentally but not spiritually. Sticking to the points, when you feel angry, you are well mentally but not spiritually. 

The definition for health given by WHO is a hyponym of complete health definition.    

Will it be a historical day for us?

If we want to make the conference on Tibetan Medicine as a historical acclaim, we must turn our head back and find out the footprints laid by the First International Conference on Tibetan Medicine. It was held in 727 A.D. at Samyay under the ageist of King Trisong Deutsen. It was maybe the longest conference that had been conducted, as it involved in deciding the undecided principles through analytic debates and experimental observations, not just paper presentations. Finally, it composed a book called "Fearless Weapon', which was comprised of sublime wisdom acquired from China, India and Persia.

In 1998, so-called "First International Congress on Tibetan Medicine" was held at Washington for three days. Its proclamation failed as the First International Conference on TM already held in Tibet. In this case, it would be the Second International Conference on Tibetan Medicine, and the upcoming conference 2012 would be the third.

If we want to proclaim the upcoming conference as second international conference on Tibetan Medicine, we should be able to invite scholars from around the world and able to collect conclusive essence obtained through panel discussions. For instance, the origin of Tibetan Medicine should be debated and decided " Tibetan Medicine evolves from the civilization of Tibet". Taking into account all matters, three-day is not enough.

Moreover, same topics such as history of Tibetan Medicine, about research, there are no more precise topics and presentations. Why there is no topic like whether Youthok Yondon Gonpo composed Gyueshi or not, and  having Bon traditional speaker, Ayurvedic speaker, speakers from Tibet, and rest of the countries, on this particular topic

If the undecided remains undecided, it will not be the second international conference on Tibetan Medicine.  

Sowa Rigpa or Bokyi Sowa Rigpa?

W*e have discussed about appellation of Tibetan Medicine as such Sowa Rigpa or Bodkyi Sowa Rigpa. The former has gone more compromise with Amchi System, Buddhist Medicine. The latter strictly holds its foot on the principle of medical evolution in Tibet without begging the words of “We live in other’s place”. The discussion must be related with the issue of whether Tibetan Medicine is part of Ayurveda or not. If we register Tibetan medicine named as Sowa Rigpa under the governing body of AYUSH, it will definitely affect the ownership of Tibetan Medicine.*




Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Bill would ensure protection and preservation of the Sowa-Rigpa system and help in its development. It would lead to the setting up of a regulatory mechanism in the education and practice of Sowa-Rigpa. “We will take all steps for research and development of the Sowa-Rigpa system with a regulatory body in place.”

Tibetan Medicine in 21st Century

Published  in Gang-Ri-Lang-Tso in the year of 2004, 1st Year Medical student

Tibetan median can play a significant role in health. The universal appeal for it shows stepping stone to guarantee success. However, Tibetan medicine remains a paradox to a person who has limited knowledge of Tibetan Medicine at a time when advertisement attracts minds and hearts of people. I do not want to leave the people confused at mysterious events of mercury abuses in Tibetan Medicine and disputed origin of traditional Tibetan medicine.

In the aftermath of Chinese occupation of Tibet, Chinese began to claim that Tibetan Medicine belongs to their culture at the same time Indian does the same. However, the history of Tibetan Medicine justifies these claims. Chronologically, Tibetan Medicine flourished in Tibetan society prior to the arrival of Ngatri Tsenpo, the first king of Tibet. The basic knowledge of healing system definitely existed as he uttered an event of poisoning effects at the time his enthronement, in turn, the local people unanimously replied at their pride, “They have an antidote to the poisoning it.” Our ancestors had put marathon efforts for for their betterment and eventually culminated the discovery of treatment and medication of diseases in kind.

For instance, a nicely boiled water was found highly effective against indigestion and a melted butter was for bleeding. Those first hand practical experiences of our ancestors were yearly accumulated and subsequently passed on to young generations. By the way, it became storehouse of knowledge over many centuries. Thus, history concludes that Tibetan Medicine is a systematic form of culture and having three thousand years of historical background and such that only belongs to Tibetan culture.

On the pretext of mercury abuse on the Tibetan Medicine, some pharmacies interestingly put an arrogant remark on Tibetan Medicine because demand for their chemical drugs falls at diminishing rate whereas demand for Tibetan Medicine increases. Everybody knows mercury is a poisonous substance but it becomes medicine after completing systematic process of its detoxification. Let us go inside the chronological events of mercury practice in Tibetan Medicine. The pharmaceutical description of mercury was well treasurized in tantric textbook of Tibetan Medicine composed by Youthok Y Gonpo, and found in high level of Tantric doctrines. Pakmo Cado handed over the secret practical method of mercury to Ugyen Richen, a great Tantric practitioner, and he brought it not practice. Since then it has been widely practicing for 7500 years neither counteracting any side effects nor posing fatal threat to life. The lineage of secret method of mercury practice became endangered in 20^th century. But, Dr Tworo Tsenam and Dr Tenzin Choedrak revived the holistic method of mercury practice in 1988, and widely practised it in Kongpo region of Chinese occupied Tibet. Dr Tenzin Choedak escaped from Tibet and came to Dharamsla where he began to serve Men-Tsee-Khang Institution. Due to his practical experience, Tibetan Medical and Astrological institute was able to adopt the practice in the same way.

The recent research undertaken by the Chinese Government of Tsothel (mercury-contained medicines) lead to the conclusion that Tsothel neither provoke side effects nor damage cells and tissues. Both scientifically and historically proves that mercury used in Tibetan Medicine is for the sake of well being of the body. Tibetan Medicine plays a significant role in preventive measures in 21^st century. It keeps focus on destroying the favorable condition responsible for proliferation of the diseased diseases. In Tibetan Art of healing, mind has always been a part of healing. The health of human body is closely interrelated with same spiritual forces responsible for our existence. Ignorance is a universal cause of all diseases. It leads to desire, hatred and delusion, which forms the root cause of rLung, mKrispa and Badkan. The imbalance of these three principles is regarded as the diseased state of the body.