An Introduction to Tibetan Medicine

Tibetan Medicine

Tibetan medicine is a herbal medicine mainly practiced in the land of snow from immemorial time. Traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, Greek medicine, Chinese medicine and Sita greatly influenced the traditional system of Tibetan medicine at large, thereby calling synthesized form of medicine. The similarity among these traditional medicines is many as all based on the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. The difference among these lies on  the principle of religious faith. The basic concept of Tibetan medicine deeply rooted in Buddhism and thus makes it different from the rest of the traditional medicines as well.

The fundamental principle of Tibetan medicine

 "The Four Tantras" or rgyud bzhi is the fundamental textbook of Tibetan science of healing and was composed by the Great Master, who has acquired full knowledge on the ultimate characteristics of the external and internal elements, which are described as materials for forming our body, as factors for aggravating diseases, and as active ingredients for administering remedies. Thereby it is a genuine science and can be used in any circumstances without measure of inadequacy. The subject matter of rgyud bzhi is very profound and systematic as it explains "the Eight Branches" one by one, through the mainstream principles of the three bodily energies i.e., rlung, the movement energy; mkris pa, the heat energy, and bad kan, fluids of the body. Out of the profound subject matter of the eight branches, I shall explain the elementary nature of the body, the disease and the remedies.

Present Status of 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.”

The Narrow Footpath

A vivid image always hovering before my eyes is the footpath of our village, which could not be removed by the merciless blowing wind, and also could not be erased by the raining water. A day has never passed by without remembering it, because the footpath which only has served us to travel for many centuries; and also on which countless historical footprints have been laid from generation to generation; on which the sweat of farmers has rained and diffused into deep soil. So, whenever I remember it, I feel as if I were enjoying with my old friends, I feel as if I were listening to the old people debating about the footpath. In fact these events are very old. When the old people were indulging in gossiping under the scorching sun, an old man said with tears falling down his wrinkled cheeks, "Idiot ancestors! How did they remember to inhabit this infertile land?" They sometimes talked about the narrow footpath of our village. Some said, "The footpath was formed after Avaloketisvara being in disguise of monkey that had travelled through it to see the Potala Palace". By contract, some said, "The footpath was a legacy of Paldorjee Lhalung, who discovered the route and made an escape after assassinating the King Lhang Darma, the destroyer of religion." Some said, "That path was made by the wild animals." It became debatable, and they continued till nightfall. No need to mention the long argument of old people has strongly impressed me but it is not the only reason behind my nostalgia for the narrow footpath. One day when it rained slightly I went to school through that footpath. The footpath running downward from our village that had been dusty before, but that day due to the rainfall it was emitting greenery light; the scattered pebbles on the path were getting smooth and wet; the trees on the side were dancing with wind. They made the footpath as a living thing, undoubtedly resembling a moving dragon on the foothill. Therefore, my regionalism truly grew stronger, and made me remember the long argument of old people. The spirited footpath also made me feel something beyond my thought. The man or God, who pioneered the footpath, was really great. The inspiration to take the first steps on such a steep rock was a product of a great thought. The thought that brought into practical was truly praiseworthy. Even though the winding footpath was narrow, curved, and steep yet the pioneer had so much pride to embrace the challenge and also had an irreversible determination to make the dream come true. Following the footpath with full efforts, the man who reached on the top of the mountain at first was perceived to be both mentally and physically strong. He was worthwhile to be remembered because he left no stones unturned to make it a historic path. His work not only eased our transportation and journey but also paved the way for our social development. However, he passed away, leaving nothing behind us except his great work with anonymous. Remember it always! We knew only to walk on that path but didn't know how to pay the homage to his noble work. Why did we feel ironically hatred towards him? Didn't we feel a pricking sensation in your heart soon after we said, "Foolish ancestors!" while holding a seat on the path? In fact our ancestors left only the narrow path for us. But, for many thousands of years the footpath could not be widened even a single step and not be leveled even a centimeter, it remained as narrow as before. It clearly proved a setback of intellectual capability rather than coward acts of our ancestors. Our

ancestors' footpath was not invaluable. The history of Tibet began with the footpath. The intellectual community of Tibet rose up to the top of the hills and the five traditional cultures of Tibet made stepping stones to a great development. Tibet was well civilized on the roof of the world. Our great translators went to India through that footpath and returned with a bag full of Buddhist literature. Then, we began to put on clothes and discontinued wearing leaves of a tree. Since then, the Tibetan race-physically red cheeks and short in height was fit to survive on the cold zone. We only felt proud to work through that footpath and sometimes we did compliment their great works. But why did we not study the ancestors' ingenuity and intellectual evolution? With superstitious belief, we recited heroic works of ancestors as mantra that was thankless. When I remembered those events I felt a burning sensation on my face, and my heart was overwhelmed by a huge regret. Even being a Tibetan, I had never been one of the blue-collar workers to enlarge the narrow path. I walked on the footpath a thousand times yet I never remembered to contribute something to construct the path in all its glory and never felt its usefulness. Nothing remained more regretful and shameful than my indifference towards the development of the footpath. The whole world was blessed with the highway, railway, and lanes, especially the route to the moon. But, we Tibetans still had been riding donkeys on that narrow footpath with a relaxed atmosphere. Remember, the person on the halfway was a monk. He laid stable and conspicuous footprints and filled the narrow path with murmuring sound of "Take refuge in the Lama." The follower of the monk was a nun. Her murmuring sound of "Take refuge in the spiritual community" was mixed in the former sound. The mixed sound produced an echo of "Take refuge in the dharma." It was certain that their thought was arisen from a reliable source but the place on which they put their feet was no other than the narrow footpath itself. The relationship between the path and its pedestrians was inexplicable in words, yet it was a curious paradox that our pride in possession of the footpath was unexpectedly melting down. Maybe someone was fully involved in the pursuit of attaining the state of enlightenment by riding the horse of mind, yet the enlightened beings came once in a blue moon to moonlight as a Buddha to alleviate the human sufferings. Whatever it was must be about. My bliss would come from the path and also my sorrow would go into the path. In a year there occurred a flood due to heavy rainfall. It partly dismantled our footpath. To my surprise, no one volunteered to save the path from damage and to reconstruct the path with a feat of engineering. One day a shepherd gained an access through the damaged footpath with a herd of goats, and it recreated a footpath for us. It was not so smooth to go on the path but no more options left. By the time, the retired people again began to fight in words. In the heated debate, the old men as an inherited type of Dhong race, storytellers of Ling tsang, old women always hoping for the blessing of Avoloikishara, followers of Paldor, and hunters were involved. No on backed down from his or her statement. A pedestrian heard their arguments and said, "It would have been useful if you had enlarged the footpath, which is so narrow that we could not go smoothly on it." The group of old people unanimously replied: "What! This footpath is used not only us but also by the demons (supernatural spirits). So, death will occur for sure with a miracle of warts being removed off, if we take even a spate of soil from the footpath." After the warning no one could make an effort to widen the path, and a day never passed without the debate of old people. In the aftermath of Chinese occupation of Tibet, our village became the centre of natural resource exploitation, and the government of China constructed a road below our footpath. It was leveled well with tar being putted on its surface.

It seemed to be inviting us. But our villagers preferred to the conventional footpath. A few years later, the young generations afforded to buy two or four wheelers, and they travelled on the road by wheelers. However, many were still walking on the footpath, with traditional bags on their backs. They might have thought it was risky to go on the road by vehicles as the road was too wide and steep. Besides they felt it would inflict foot pains while travelling through the concrete and long road. At an annual public meeting two groups—people using technology and people using traditional equipments—fought in words, and it became serious. I stayed long at the junction of footpath and road, remembered the pin drop silence that occupied the winding footpath; the wide road which crossed the hills horizontally, inviting motor vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, etc. Apart from it I remembered our people and our country. Before my eyes appeared a marvelous and bright future-path, out of control I started to take steps towards the road. The end Dhundup Gyal was a luminous writer, and political activist. He wrote it with the title of "Kang lam tamo" in Tibetan on January 26, 1984, Beijing in China. And it appeared in the national magazine and received a tsunami of compliments from the readers. I went through the article when I was in school. It impressed me a lot. And I left no stones unturned to translate it into English. My translation has ended with a bittersweet feeling. I felt happy as I completed the work. On the other hand I felt sad as my translation became distorted. I read it from beginning to end three times but did not feel the same taste that I had got from the primary source.

The Relationship Between Mind and Matter

Tashi realized his previous life and went on in search of his home. One day, he met his previous life family members in person, being able to call them by their names, one by one. It remains an unresolved fascination for those who do not believe in the pre-existing mode of life. Do you believe in such even? You may, “Yes” and continues, “because he did remember it well and I am fully convinced with his correct realization.” In contrast, you may say, “No, I don’t remember even my old days well. How did he remember it well? He was making a deliberate lie.” Arguably, should I say there are many more peoples across the world remembering their previous life; however, you will response with the saying. “Go to wash your mouth.” On the other side, it is true because not everybody remembers the previous mode of life but only a few who seems to be fabulists.

I was brought up culturally on the idea of pre-existing mode of life and even today, I believe in his saying and perfect finding of his dear and near. My belief in pre-existence of something is not only reflection of Tashi’s event but also deeply rooted in Tibetan traditional culture. As we could not explain the mysterious phase of life on the physical ground, scientist could not see it even with a highly sophisticated microscope. It is like a blink man blaming non-existence of celestial objects by the virtue of his invisibility. At this point, hopefully, you may agree with the quotation “Unseen anything is not matter of non-existence of something.”

In the USA 2005 debating topic always goes with discussion of the theory of Intelligent Designer verse theory of evolution. According to Darwine’s theory of evolution, the origin of life emerges from spontaneous generation of non-living matters, since then many people had been hoping to prepare a human life in laboratory. On the biological ground, our body is composed of 100 trillion cells. Each cell contains forty-six chromosomes, carrying message of genes. The genes have two main chemical composites: DNA (de-oxynucleic acid) dominates at the centre of nucleus and RNA (ribose nucleic acid) predominates in cytoplasm, around cellular nucleus. DNA is chemically constructed structure like a double strain thread. In DNA four nucleotides contain the base adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T). The base pair forms naturally only between A and T; between G and C, with bond of hydrogen. RNA is a single strain thread, and in where protein synthesis mainly done after the DNA uncoil their structure. In the meanwhile, RNA acts as chemical messenger of DNA. Therefore, DNA determines the color of your eyes or curly hair. Therefore, the nucleus cell contains genome, all the information necessary to build up human beings. So here, DNA is master molecule of life and scientists once thought that it was possible to synthesis life in laboratory. In the year of 1970, Dr Khurana was able to synthesis E coli gene. However, he failed to synthesize a total gene and to create life. The quality of gene seems to have quality of mind but in reality, it has no ability to sense anything such emotion, judgment, thinking by itself.  “In search for secret of life I ended up with atoms and electrons which have no life at all” as quoted saying by the Noble Prize winning Szer-Gyorg. So, the majority of Americans believe in the theory of Intelligent Designer against Darwinism. I think the theory of Intelligent Designer is based on a reasonable faith. someone said that faith originated in Tibet just because the influx of Tibetan devotees to Lhasa, the capital city of Chinese occupied Tibet, were found months of journey on prostrating rather than walking and /or travelling by vehicles, it is absolutely true case but I don’t think the origin of blink faith is in Tibet. Our faith on existence of previous life is not baseless.

In Western embryology, human body is composed of million cells, originating from zygote-unification of egg and sperm. Each germ contains 23 chromosomes and pairs up 46 chromosomes when they unify in fallopian tube. This cell contains gene as explained above. Therefore, we see an offspring completely carbon copy of his father but he differs metaphysically a lot from his father. It indicates zygote is not only union of gem cells but also inclusive of conscious mind. When the fertilization takes place in fallopian tube, the eternal mind is associating with the forming cell (zygote). This is again an unseen episode of unification. However, it could be screened out with a clear-cut example given in the commentary books of Gyueshi (the Four Medical Tantras). A magnifying glass (me shel) which has ability to concentrate the heat of light, can burn combustible grass by keeping it under sunlight, and just focusing its sunbeam on grasses. We could not see the processor heat energy passing out to them. Yet it makes them burn. Likewise, you could not able to see the process of subtle mind associating with forming zygote.

In the advent of neuroscience, they just have come to know the working of neurons cells in human brains. These cells have two fibers: dendrite gives chemical stimuli away from cell body and axon receives chemical stimuli to cell body. In an addition, neuroscientists are able to map specific parts of the brain, which work specific functions, e.g., certain part of the occipital lobe, which receives optical images and its immediate part interprets it. It is as if electricity goes through the wire. They seem to be explaining the mind on the physical ground. The brain receives information from outside environment and interprets them very clearly through electrical current, so they do not consider mind apart from brain.

According to modern psychology and cognitive science, the function of mind hypotheses in two ways:  1) mind acts controller of soul and it is adapting environment. 2) Mind acts as a co-coordinator of internal thought and external behavior. It is very clear that mind acts as a controller at the same as a co-coordinator. Therefore, we can say mind is like supervisor of a cotton factory.  He is not engaged in collecting and / or peeling off cottons, etc; but he supervises them in the right direction. In Indian traditional culture, some schools accept the existence of soul or atama in Sanskrit as many did remember their previous life and yogis did experience the existence of soul. In contrast, Tibetan traditional Buddhism does agree with the existence of previous life but rejecting independent origination of soul. Some say we can think because of mind. On the other hand, some say we can think because of brain. It is as if a blind man explains an elephant. Some tells its tail but some tell its head. Both lack the entire explanation of the elephant. In order to understand mind as whole we can compare the mind to a computer.

Mind as Electricity

The nature of mind is clarity and awareness. It is very clear intrinsically like a blue sky. However, as long as we are imprisoned in this samsara( the six cyclic existence of all sentient beings), our mind remains polluted like the cloudy sky. The mind has ability to know others and oneself with help of other five sub-consciousnesses. In Tibet the five sub-consciousnesses is called “kun ‘gro lnga”. Literally, it means where the mind goes there they go. The true nature of mind is enlightened, so we quest for enlightenment or Buddha-hood. Therefore, the clarity indicates the nature of mind whereas the awareness shows the function of mind.

It is very important to know that the relationship between the  loong (movement energy) and the subtle mind. As the true nature of mind is enlightened, it has ability to see where to go. On the other hand,  loong has the nature of light and mobile faculty, so it has the ability to move anywhere. In order to understand the cornerstone of mind in its relation to  loong energy, metaphorical explanation needs here. The mind is like a fee-stricken person who is able to see everything but cannot move an inch. Fortunately,  loong is as an eyes-stricken man could not see anything. In such situation, the former rides over the latter and the two form one perfect. By knowing the relationship between two, we can say  loong is an integral part of the mind. This subtle mind enters mother’s womb and unifies with germ cells. Optical mind dominate the passageway of optical nerves and able to receive reflected image. Otherwise, we could not see anything.

Channels as Wire

One month after the conception of fetus in the mother’s uterus, at the central heart of the fetus develops the basic form of channels as grounding pathway for all other forms of  loong. As the subtle  loong has the primitive qualities of the five basic elements, it gives rise to from the five major divisions of  loong the five minor divisions of loong. The space elementary quality of it gives rise to form life sustaining loong and descending loong. The loong elementary quality is responsible for forming fire accompanying loong and rus sbal. The fire elementary quality is responsible for evolving ascending  loong and rtsang pa. The water elementary quality gives rise to form klu and nor gyal. Four months after the conception period, these basic forms of channels move sin specific direction due to their originating qualities of the five elementary rLugn energies. The channels for life sustaining loong and five minor divisions of loong go upward; thereafter, channel of life sustaining loong localizes around the area of brain, and coordinates five minor divisions of loong. The five minor divisions of loong connect with sensory organs. Klu apprehends vision from receptors in eye. Russ bal apprehends hearing from receptors in ear. Rtsang pa apprehends smell from receptors in the upper nasal cavity. Lhas sbyin apprehends tastes from receptors in the tongue. Nor rgyal apprehends heat, cold, pain and touch from the skin.

Brain as Sceen

On the breakthrough of neuroscientists’ findings on the brain area, they never considered mind apart from the brain. Neurons have ability to receive experiences and interpret them. Although neurons work in co-ordination of all other some areas, do special work. For example, vision center is mapped in the occipital lobe. In the case of damaging this area, your vision is lost. So they think optical consciousness does not exist independently. In Tibetan traditional culture, brain can be compared to a monitor screen. It can show us the thing we have installed in it. However, the screen has no ability to make any program by itself. Similarly, neurons have ability to receive experiences from receptors located in different sensory organs, and can only apprehend them not calculate at all as Gyueshi says:

To apprehend five sensatory organs

Brain in where one main channel

And five hundred tiny channels around it.

In order to receive vision, hearing, smelling, sound, and sense of temperature or pain, etc., there are twenty-four channels serving as the seat of five subdivision of loong energy. They are located in a part of the brain known as klad pa pkhyil, in where specialized channels are functioning in different way with connection of five hundred tiny channels as a whole.

Heart as CPU

Gyueshi says heart is the central seat of the life force and the subtle mind. In Tibetan traditional Buddhism also says the seat of the subtle mind is in the heart. I think heart is like a CPU in where major processes of the computer already installed and it goes work as we commend. Likewise, the brain receives information from external world and sends them to the heart where it calculates them very clearly. This subtle mind comes from beginningless mode of life and cradles in the center of the heart. As and when it leaves the temporary body clinical death declares in Tibetan culture. In the advent of science and technology, cardiologists have succeeded in operating hearts and heart transplantation. Most of patients are found no obvious change of their personality or conventional behavior after the surgery. Moreover, cardiologists could not experience the sensitivity of so-called the subtle mind at the time of heart surgery. Afterwards they consider human heart as an ordinary organ. On contrary Dr Pema Dorjee during his lecture at T.M.A.C. (Tibetan Medical and Astrological College) arguably said, “As the operation is done on an anesthetized organ, of course, there is no means and way of experiencing the sensitivity of the subtle mind.” Our memory power also pertains to heart as Gyueshi says:

To apprehend the memory organ

Heart in where one main channel

And 500 tiny channels around it.

It can be explained that there is certain arena in the center of the heart so-called Yid bzang ma being considered the main mechanism of very tiny five hundred never cells. As the subtle mind resembles the king of nerves, it simulates memory function in coordination or surrounding nerves. Here the expression of never-count 500 does not mean there are exactly five hundred nerves but indicates so many nerves coordinating with the main channel known as Yid bzang ma. The way of converting short-term memory into long term memory totally depends on the degree of concentration. When you see an object at first time, it influences the subtle mind a bit. So it is easy to forget. The more you look at the object carefully, the longer it remains in your mind. So you could remember it long. Due to this reason, only some remember their previous life. In contrast with the explanation of long-term memory, in anatomical studies of neuroscience the tiny extension called fibrils form at nynapeses in the cerebral cortex, som impulses can travel more easily from neutron to another. The number of these fibrils increases with age. In physiological studies found that repetition of the same information again, accelerates and potentates the degree of transfer of short-term memory to long-term memory. It has been found that a pwrson who is wide-awake memorizes far better than a person who is in a state of mental fatigue. It also has been noted that the brain is able to organize information so that new ideas are stored in the same ones in which ones have.

Bottom Ling

Writing an article based on cultural chauvinism is absurd, coward act. I am always ready to expose my obsession with the pre-existence of life if science proves it perfect. Yet, it is very important to know why we believe in pre-existence of life. Many people say, “Replacing faith by knowledge is dangerous. I never agree their notion because faith sows hypothesis and reaps universally acclaimed theory. I hope that you will research why we believe in the existence of mind or pre-existing mode of life, not blindly rejecting our faith. To remind you clearly we never consider plants as living beings on ground that they do not possess the quality of mind evolving from the preexisting one. As mind is eternal and not made of matters, it is impossible to prove its existence on physical ground. The visible force of mind needs places where it can work. So here loong is place of mind; channels are place of  loong. They co-ordinate each other in the process of mind as well as in the process of body. In spite of the subtle mind permanently living in the heart, the mind always moves through channels: arteries, veins and nerves. It is apt to say that where there is channel there is mind moving. The best way to find or analyze her invisible force of mind is “meditation”. Yogis have purely experienced the existence of mind in ancient time. Therefore, it comes in conclusion that man evolves from matter and pre-existing mode of life under invisible force of karma. As science believes in certain proof not in imagination, but lack of proof in itself is not the proof of non-existence of something.

Published on Gangri-Langtso, Issue no. 13, Year 2007

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.