Tibetan Medical System Cosmic effect

Sumithra Sathyan | 10-June-2013

Tolerance is not an easy word nowadays. You need extraordinary qualities to overcome the trials and tribulations of life. This journey is spiritual and at the same time is material, but it gives you eternal bliss at the end. If you have a Guru or a teacher to guide you, things will be easier. The Guru must have gone through all these or deals with tolerance. In short, he must be as deep as an ocean.His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is one such Guru, a spiritual leader of a community that has gone through all sorts of difficulties. His life itself is a spiritual journey through this temporal world, but he survived all these mundane things.  

By Sumithra Sathyan

In order to preserve and promote Tibetan Medical System or Sowa-Rig pa, the science of healing, the unique tradition, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama re-established Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute better known as Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamshala (India) in 1961. The Institute now has over 40 branches all over India and Nepal serving the local health needs. There are societies for Tibetan Medicine abroad where the doctors pay periodical visit for conducting classes and consultation.

Future Medicine introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Medical System as an Alternative Medicine for mental and physical wellness. Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar is the Chief Medical Officer at Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama) in Bengaluru. He was trained in medico-spiritual initiations for the more esoteric practice of Tibetan Medicine as well. In recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of Alternative Medicine, Dr Dorjee was awarded the Gold Medal and Gem of Alternative Medicine in 1995 and 1996 by the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine, Calcutta. He has also received the International Award of Excellence from the American Organisation of Intellectuals Inc, New York, US.  In an exclusive interview, Dr Dorjee talks about the healing effect of Tibetan medical system

Tell us about the Tibetan Medical System and how it differentiates from other medical systems?

The fundamental concept of Tibetan Medical System revolves around the theory of five cosmo-physical elements and three humoral energies (Nes-pa), the balance and imbalance of which attributes to health and disease respectively. The food and lifestyle, seasonal factors and mental conditions are considered to be four causative factors responsible for the manifestation of Nes-painto disease. Based on the Buddhist concept of mind and body relationship, TMS recognises Marigpa, the ignorance as the root cause of all the suffering. Ignorance literally means not knowing the non-existence of the Self because of which one suffers from three inborn mental poisons like lust or desire, hatred or anger, delusion or confusion all of which gives rise to various forms of imbalance in our body system which can be grouped under rLung, mKrsipa and Badkan.Therefore, unless we study and purify our mind from its black clouds of negative mental afflictions, we cannot enjoy the clear blue sky of perfect health.

TMS strongly advocates the dynamic interrelationship between our body, environment, disease and the treatment. All of them are made up of same basic element of nature known as five cosmo-physical elements: earth, water, fire, air and space, which form our life sustaining energies. And particularly, our body (Micro-cosmic) enjoys very close and dynamic relationship with our external environment (Macro-cosmic), the balance of which directly affects our life and existence. Therefore, the environmental pollution and its related health hazards were clearly mentioned in the centuries old medical text. And, the message here is that if we want to enjoy good health and happiness, we should first respect and keep our environment healthy and unexploited.

The medicines used are chiefly natural herbs. Besides, some precious and semi-precious stones, salts, minerals and some animal extracts are also being used. The therapeutic effect of medicines is mainly determined by their inherent taste, potency and qualities. They are combined in keeping with their taste and potency so as to ensure total quality health of the patient without any unwelcome side-effects. Besides the medicines, many accessory therapies are used as part of patient care and pain management, relaxation, and palliative care.

How is a disease diagnosed in Tibetan Medicine?

The diagnosis of a disease is carriedmainly through interrogation, visual examinationand palpation. Visual examination involves study of the five sensory organs, stool and urine. Palpation involves examination of the body organs, energy meridians, and pulse of the patient. Most significantly, the pulse and urine analysis forms the most distinctive and important part of Tibetan diagnostic methods.

One of the unique features of the TMS is its close relationship with the Tibetan astronomical and astrological aspect. The changing season and its effect on our body can be best explained through the astrological calculations. Tibetan doctors also consider a wide range of astrological calculations during the collection and preparation of the medicines. Astrological calculations are also made before giving some minor surgeries and accessory therapies to ascertain the exact location of life force energy so that our vital life force energy in the quantum field is not disturbed which otherwise, could prove very costly for the patient. Seven extraordinary pulse information are established through the complex inter-relationship between Mother Son and Friend Foe calculations. The knowledge of interdependent relationship between each season, the six cosmic elements, body organs, pulse characteristics, and their relation to disease and treatment regimens are quite distinctive features of Tibetan Medicine.

Please explain the treatment system?

Tibetan Medicine considers the right approach to the patient and treatment as a very important factor rather than the treatment itself. The doctor-patient relationship is considered to be the gateway of the successful healing. Doctors are viewed as medicine Buddha with infinite compassion and dedication to patient care; his instructions as Buddha’s own teaching with unmistakable truth and rewarding, and medicines as deathless nectar revitalising and life-giving. Doctors too view their patients as precious human being who should be treated with the devotion given to his or her beloved mother. The ethics of Tibetan Medicine and its physicians are interspersed with the teachings of Buddha Dharma to its highest practical level. The ultimate aim of TMS is to provide the evergreen tree of our body system with the two blossoming flowers of health and longevity bearing three fruits of spirituality, prosperity and happiness.

What is Tibetan Medicine most effective for?

In addition to many common ailments, Tibetan Medicine also offers very effective treatment in controlling and even curing major diseases like asthma, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, sinusitis, eczema, anxiety, general cardio-vascular, liver and kidney related-problems, nervous disorders, gynecological problems, gastro-intestinal disorders, chronic cold and allergic problems, psychosomatic problems, heart-related issues, etc. The medicines also help in controlling primary cancer cases.

The best way to take ‘precious pills’? 

Soak the pills in a half cup of hot water and leave them for 30 minutes. You can remove the pills with a spoon, put the pills in your mouth and drink the remaining water.

Precious pills, sea-buckthorn- bush

Are there any side-effects for Tibetan Medicine?

Tibetan Medicine uses purely natural herbal recipe that goes down to treat the root of the problem. These medicines are very safe as they are prepared without adulteration and known to have no side-effects.Tibetan medicine formula is very balanced.For example, the formula sPos10, is one of the medicines we use to treat arthritis but it also has in its ingredients Saussurealappa which is for the stomach and Adhatodavasica which is to regulate blood pressure.

What about healing?

The natural herbal remedies are available in various forms to suit the disease condition.The understanding and administration of proper diet and lifestyle changes forms a crucial part of the disease management and optimum healing process.Besides, various forms of accessory or complementary therapies are given as part of pain and disease management, relaxation and rejuvenation .Although TMS treats almost all the common and major diseases, it is found particularly effective in treating many chronic diseases like allergic asthma, Rh.arthritis, diabetesmellitus, heart and cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal and colic problems, nervous diseases, various skin diseases, thyroid and psychosomatic problems etc.

It is said that Tibetan Medicine is very effective in cancer treatment.

Cancer is known as Dres in Tibetan Medical System. The name Dres was given following its resemblance to the shape of a fruit: like a coconut or like a solid mass of outgrowth from the internodes of big tree branches. The 63rd chapter “Oral transmission Tantra” of the 4 Great Tantra, the classical Tibetan medical text, explains in some details about this dreadful disease.

In order to restore the balance, to improve the immune mechanism, and for the healing to take place, herbal formulations in the form of pills and decoction should be given orally. Since the nature of tumour is solid hard, hot medicine bath, or an external application should be employed to dissolve the tumour.To flush out the dissolved cancerous cells or tissues from the body channels, vene–cleansing is strongly advised with the help of experienced practitioner.To reduce the pace of infection and inflammation, and to curb the speed of progression of cancerous cells, vene-section is frequently advised with the expert’s help.To slow down or stop the pathways of proliferation or angio-genesis, moxabustion(A traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa made from dried mugwort) is used. It plays an important role in the traditional medical systems of China (Including Tibet), Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia.

Enlightened Lamas and the respected Sangha community are also being consulted for the following reasons:

1 .To counteract the harmful spirits that sometimes get total hold over the whole disease process and its treatment response

2 .To minimize one’s bad Karmic effects, and to remove any hidden obstacles to the treatment response

3.To uplift patient’s aura and positive spirit

What is the legal status of the Tibetan Medical Centre?

Men-Tsee-Khang is a charitable, cultural and educational institution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act of 1860 (No: 1290/79). It has exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 (No.CIT/PTA/1 & 93-94/80-G/1813). The institution is registered under section 12A (a) of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961.

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