M E N -T S E E - K H A N G (Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute of H.H. the Dalai lama)
News Letter
Vol. XXXIII
April - June 2014
COURSES / WORKSHOPS Course on Mental Health Care Service: A 10-Day Course on the Mental Healthcare Service was held from 1 to 12 May 2014 in Dharamsala. It was organised by the Body, Mind and Life Department. More than 60 percent of the world’s population have problems of the mind. Finding its cause becomes therefore more and more important. 53 anniversary of Men-Tsee-Khang, College Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Health Kalon, CTA as Chief Guest
Many mental health problems are attributed to hectic lifestyles and misconceptions. However the root cause of all mental problems are the three afflictive emotions.
The fundamental principles to counteract mental health problems have been extensively mentioned in the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
CONTENTS Courses and Workshops Inauguration of new clinic
Pg: 1
Outreach Programme College founding anniversary
Pg: 4
Upcoming conference
Pg: 6
Pg: 3
Pg: 5
A number of patients have reported positively regarding the effectiveness of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan medicine and astrology in alleviating mental sufferings. Today, some of this research is available and published by the recognised and respected scientific bodies.
Speakers contributing to the course included Geshe Kunkhen (Gadhong Monastery), Geshe Lobsang Dawa (Institute of Buddhist Dialectics), Geshe Lobsang Dakpa (Namgyal Monastery), Geshe Tsondue (Library of Tibetan Works & Archives) and, Geshe Tenpa Tashi (head of Body, Mind and Life Department, Men-Tsee-Khang). They spoke on the introduction to the mind, non-virtuous mind, virtuous mind, transforming the non-virtuous mind, mindfulness meditation, practice on patience, meditation on compassion and loving kindness, principle of
Editor Ms. Kalsang Dechen editor@men-tsee-khang.org Assistant editor Mr. Tseten Dorjee Mr. Tenzin Nyima This is the official Newsletter Mailing co-ordinator of Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Ms. Dolma Tsering Medical & Astro. Institute). Gangchen Kyishong, Tel: Dharamsala—176215, INDIA. 0091-1892-223113/223222 It is published and distributed free of cost. However, we request Fax: donations to cover expenses. 0091-1892-224116 To make donations, please contact: E-mail: info@men-tsee-khang.org Mailing Coordinator Men-Tsee-Khang Websites Gangchen Kyishong www.men-tsee-khang.org Dharamsala - 176215 wwww.mentsee.org INDIA www.men-tsee-khang-cn.org
Email Addresses Director director@men-tsee-khang.org Registrar gsec@men-tsee-khang.org Astro. Department astro@men-tsee-khang.org Project Officer developmentmanager@men-tsee-khang.org Men-Tsee-Khang College tmaicollege@men-tsee-khang.org
interdependence, birth, death and intermediate stage and medicine Buddha meditation. The participants were from Germany, Bulgaria, Japan, Taiwan,
Mail Consultation
This institute does not encourage the use of mail consultation for those who have access to a Tibetan doctor graduated from Men-Tsee-Khang. Therefore we would recommend patients seek help directly from a properly trained medical doctor who uses the traditional Tibetan diagnostic procedures like reading the patient’s pulse, urine analysis and interrogations. Owing to numerous suggestions and input received over the years from patients who hold strong trust and belief in our medical system and insist that this system remains the last hope of their recovery, we feel the necessity and responsibility to provide a mail consultation facility to fulfill their wishes. It is very necessary to provide us with the following information: Your name (in capital) Gender Age Clear Address Case History and treatments As and when the above information is received, senior doctors will review the personal case. Thereafter, a reply will be sent to the individual patient informing the recommendations of the physician. If pills are prescribed then remedies will be sent after the receipt of the payment through the postal system either by Registered parcel, Courier, Speed Post or what ever kind of post facility are applicable to that particular region or country. Contact:
email: mailconsultant@men-tsee-khang.org Phone: 0091 1892 223222/223113 Ext: 216
Membership / Scholarship Sponsorhip Secretary Men-Tsee-Khang Gangchen Kyishong Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra H.P Pin - 176 215 Phone:0091-1892-223222/ 223113 Fax:0091-1892-224116 Email: scholarship@men-tsee-khang.org
and Russia. The course consisted of four sessions per day of one and a half hour each. Practice, discussion and a question & answer sessions followed in the afternoon. The translators for the course were Ms. Phurbu Dolma (Library of Tibetan Works & Archives), Mr. Sangpo, Dr. Passang Wangdu and Dr. Namdol Lhamo (Men-TseeKhang College).
Men-Tsee-Khang Exports PT 62/5 Kalkaji New Delhi - 110 019 India Phone:0091-11-26214897/ 26436823 Fax: 0091 11 26211738 Email: mtkexports@vsnl.net Web: www.men-tsee-khang-exports.org
Tibetan Medicine Course in English A 6-day course on Tibetan medicine in English was conducted by the College from 23 to 29 May 2014 in the College Hall. This course is given to a group of students from the University of Minnesota every year. This is the ninth time since MenTsee-Khang and the Center for Spirituality & Healings Tibetan Healing Initiative, University of Minnesota have collaborated in this venture.
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The Center for Spirituality & Healings has integrated the
Tibetan Healing Initiative which involves four key areas: research, education, outreach and integrative care. It is led by Miriam Cameron, PhD, RN, Center for Spirituality & Healings Tibetan Healing Initiative. The Tibetan Healing Initiative (THI) conducts scholarly work about Tibetan medicine and yoga which come from Tibet and India and are relevant today. 16 physicians and nurses participated to this course. Twelve speakers from the College presented topics ranging from pulse diagnosis, urine analysis, health and disease, the relationship between Tibetan medicine and Tibetan Buddhism, how to maintain a healthy life, how to transform the nonvirtuous mind, mental illness, cardiovascular health and disease, digestive health, cancer prevention, relationship between Tibetan medicine and Tibetan astrology, Tibetan medicine and Men-Tsee-Khang
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Medicine Buddha etc. On 30 May the University of Minnesota group gave presentations to the college students. Emory-Tibet Medical Science Programme The Medical S c i e n c e programme, a short course from 10-22 June held at Men-TseeKhang College is the second collaboration between Men-TseeKhang and Emory University. The course was divided in 2 sections. Section 1 was held from 10 to 14 June and on Sunday 15 June an exam was given. Dr. Edward Pettus and Dr. Meena Kannan, School of Medicine Emory University, were the speakers on advanced anatomy and physiology. A total of 108 students participated in this section. In section 2, Dr. Richard Pittman and Dr. Jonathan Flacker discussed about clinical chemistry and diagnostics. 85 students
participated in the course which was held from 17 to 21 June. On Sunday 22 June the students sat for an examination. There were 20 sessions of 90 minutes durations. This 12-day course is sponsored by Emory University and Men-Tsee-Khang College. The coordinators of the course are: Dr. Namdol Lhamo (Men-Tsee-Khang College), and Dr. Carol Worthman, Dr. Michael Iuvone and Dr. Lobsang Tenzin Negi (Emory University). Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives for providing the translators for the course.
MEN-TSEE-KHANG INAUGURATED ITS 58TH BRANCH A new branch clinic was opened at Rohini, Delhi on 26 May, 2014. The inauguration ceremony took place at 10:30 a.m. in the presence of around 60 people who gathered for the function. The chief guest was Mr. Lekyi Dorjee Tsangla (Tibetan Settlement Officer, Majnuka-tilla), President Mr. Karten Tsering, Ms. Tsering Dolma (administrator, TCV Youth Hostel Delhi). This is the 58th branch clinic set up by Men-Tsee-Khang in India to provide traditional Tibetan health care to the locals and Tibetans.
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OUTREACH PROGRAMME Mumbai Men-Tsee-Khang hosted a free medical camp, at Somaiya Vidhyavihar campus, Mumbai, during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching from May 30 June 2, 2014. This was organized by Nalanda Shikshak, a collection of Indian Buddhist groups from places as far flung as Bangalore, Bir, Sankisa and Nasik. During the teachings a Festival of Tibetan Culture was organized by Tibetan MP Mr. Karma Yeshi. It featured an exhibition focusing on the history of Tibet,
the construction of a Medicine Buddha sand-mandala, an opportunity to experience Tibetan medicine and astrology, Tibetan handicrafts, woodcrafts, paintings etc. Men-Tsee-Khang set up an exhibition on Tibetan medicine and Tibetan astrology; traditional Tibetan health care and oral astrology consultations were also given during the 4 days. A total of 613 patients received free medicine during the camp and around 10 people received Men-Tsee-Khang
Jan-Mar 2014
oral astrology consultation. Around 550 people visited the exhibition. A team of 10 members led by Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, visiting physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama included 2 doctors, 1 astrologer and 6 adminstrative staff from Dharamsala, Navi Mumbai branch and Exports Unit, Delhi particiapted in the free medical camp at Mumbai. Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank Jindal Charitable Trust for donating Rs. 236,800.00 to provide free medicine & travel expenses and Mr. Sanjay Shah for donating Rs. 11,000.00 for consultations. England, UK A 3-member team headed by Dr. (Mrs) Rigzin Sangmo, head of the Research & Development Department accompanied by Mrs. Tenzin Lhamo, (Medical Astrologer), astrology department and Mr. Tsering Dhondup (Adm. Staff, Rohini clinic) visited London, UK from May 27 to June 10, 2014. The visit was coordinated by the Office of Tibet, London, UK. At the Rigpa Center Dr. Rigzin Sangmo gave a lecture on maintaining physical & mental wellbeing through diet and lifestyle in Tibetan medicine on 28 May. Whilst on 29 May Mrs. Tenzin Lhamo medical astrologer
gave an oral consultation service to 10 people interested in astro. science and on 30 June she spoke on how Astrology informs traditional Tibetan medicine. At the Tara Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland on 31 May the doctor gave a speech on the place of nutrition and behavior in traditional Tibetan medicine. The medical astrologer presented a lecture on how Astrology informs traditional Tibetan medicine and the role of astrologer for the wellbeing of human life. An interested group of people attended the presentations. On 1 June the doctor gave presentation on one’s nature and hot compression in Tibetan medicine and around 20 people attended both the talks. The medical astrologer gave oral consultations to more than 10 people fascinated by Tibetan astro. science. A lecture on the holistic approach of Tibetan medicine and the role of diet and behavior in maintaining good health was given by the doctor at the Kailash Center for Tibetans, in London. It was organised by the Tibetan community in Great Britain on 6 June. The medical astrologer gave oral consultations at the Office of Tibet, London. On the evening of 9 June the doctor presented a workshop on Tibetan medicine pulse diagnosis at the Tibet Foundation London. On the whole the tour was a success with a total of around 120 participants attending the 4
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talks and lectures. The doctor provided health care service and the medical astrologer gave oral astrology consultations to those interested people during the 15 days tour. Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank the Rigpa Center; Tibet Foundation and Tibet House,Office of Tibet, London; and Tara Trust in Edingburg, Scotland for organizing the tour.
COLLEGE FOUNDING DAY The 53rd college founding day was commemorated on 2 June, 2014. The chief guest was Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Kalon Health Department and the special guest of honour was Mr. Penpa Tsering. Men-Tsee-Khang Director Mr. Tashi Tsering Phuri, college lecturers, heads of the departments, students, staff and media attended the function. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Yuthok prayers and offering of a butter lamp by the chief and special guest. Then Dr. Tenpa Choephel, principal of the college, gave a brief history of Tibetan medicine, the establishment of Men-TseeKhang in Lhasa, Tibet in 1916 and the re-establishment in exile in India in 1961 to its present stage of development. 2014 has been dedicated by the Kashag and the CTA to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to pay tribute and express gratitude for all the achievements and blessings that he has bestowed on the Tibetan people. Hence an academic Men-Tsee-Khang
Jan-Mar 2014
dress has been introduced by the Tibetan Medical & Astrological College to mark this great event. The new academic dress consists of a gown, an inner white gown and a trencher (hat) or mortarboard: that is a horizontal square board fixed on a skull-cap, with a tassel attached to it. The special guest distributed award certificates to staff who have completed 30 and 20 years of service. The chief guest gave Menrampa degree certificates to the 12th batch doctors, Menpa Kachupa degrees to the 16th
batch medical students, rTsi-pa Kachupa degrees to the 8th batch astrology students. The Director of the Institute awarded the members of the Gangri langtso publication and gave recognition to the 6 students who wrote the finest articles. The special guest Mr. Penpa Tsering, chairman of ATPD (Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies) addressed the gathering by welcoming the guests, staff and students. He said that it is good to see the new academic dress code for the doctors
and astrologers implemented from this year according to the modern standards. Besides moving with changing times it is also important to enrich the knowledge of Tibetan medicine and astrology. Then the chief guest Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Kalon Health Department, congratulated MenTsee-Khang College on its 53rd anniversary. Tibetan medicine has served and benefitted people at large. He said that medical ethics is important and there should also be work towards awareness programmes especially the prevention of illnesses. Dr. Passang Wangdue, vice principal of the college gave a word of thanks and the ceremony c o n c l u d e d followed by lunch.
OBITUARY Mr. Tenpa Yarphel, retired staff member of Men-Tsee-Khang passed away on 9 May, 2014 after a month long hospitalization in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College Hospital, Tanda. He joined the Institute on 1 July 1986 and worked for 21 years. He served as a cook cum cleaner in Mcleod Ganj branch clinic, then at the packing unit in Medicine Store department and retired on 1 July, 2007. Mr. Phurbu Thakchoe staff of Men-Tsee-Khang passed away 5
Jan-Mar 2014
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on 28 June, 2014 due to a sudden illness. He joined Men-Tsee-Khang on 6 December, 2006. He served as the head cook of the mess for more than seven years. Men-Tsee-Khang conveys its sincere condolence to the family and relatives of the deceased and prays that the departed souls rest in peace. DIRECTOR’S TOUR Our Director visited the Dalhousie branch from 27 to 28 May, 2014. He greeted the staff, offered words of encouragement and suggestions on how to improve the clinic. He also met the settlement officer to discuss about the plot of land offered for expanding our clinic. He addressed the Tibetan public with the view to receive feed back on our services.
CONFERENCE 2nd International Conference on Body, Mind and LIfe
(1 to 3 October, 2014)
The 2nd International Conference on Body, Mind and Life will be held from 1 to 3 october, 2014 organzied by the Body, Mind and Life department. Two scholars each from Buddhist Psychology, Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, Chinese system of medicine and Modern Psychology will be invited to discuss and share the perspectives of the six different fields of knowledge on the identification, relationship, disturbing factors, and remedies for disorders of body, mind and life. For registration and details contact: BODY, MIND & LIFE DEPARTMENT Men-Tsee-Khang, Gangchen Kyishong Dharamsala - 176215 Distt. Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) INDIA email : bodymindlife@men-tsee-khang.org
website: www.men-tsee-khang.org
The speakers for the Body Mind Life conference are:
Buddhist Psychology Khenpo Choying Dorje, Abbot, Dzongsar Monastic Institution, Chauntra, H.P Dr. Ramesh Chandra Negi, Assistant Professor, Kagyu Sect, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Varanasi. Ayurveda Prof. Ram Harsh Singh, Kayachikitsa, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India Prof. A.K. Sharma, Director and Medical Superintendent National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur Unani Dr. Mohammad Khalid Siddhiqui, Advisor (A. & R.C.), Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard University, New Delhi Dr. Ashhar Qadeer, Associate Professor and Head Dept. of Kulliyat, Hamdard University Siddha Dr. Thirumalaiswami Thirunarayanan, Secretary, Center for Traditional Medicine and Research, Chennai Dr. M.A. Kumar, Joint Advisor, Siddha(Retd.)Ministry of Health & F.W. , Dept. of AYUSH Chinese Medicine Dr. Chou Shizer (Shin Jer Chou), Abbot os Ksitigarbha Dharma Center, Taiwan Dr. Chiang Shu Hui, Director, Asanga - The Way of Health Chinese Medicine, Taiwan Modern Psychology Dr. Thaddeus Pace, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, USA Dr. Terry Eagan, M.D. Assistant Clinical Prof., Dept. of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (USC) Modern Psychology, USA Men-Tsee-Khang
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The academic regalia of Tibetan medicine are: • Gown - The deep blue colour of the gown symbolizes the Medicine Buddha and the red edgings, the speech emanation of the great sage Yidlay Kye (yilas sKyes). Inner white gown - symbolizes the white dress worn by the Yogi who is the father of Tibetan medicine ‘Yuthok Yonten Gonpo’ and his lineage holders Jangpa and Zurkhar traditions. • Mortar-board - The five bands of colour (deep blue, white, yellow, green and red) in front of the skull cap symbolize the emanation or representation of the Medicine Buddha’s mind, body, wisdom, action and speech. It also stands for the five great elements. The four corners of the board represent the four immeasurable of unbiased love, compassion, happiness and equanimity and also the successful mastering of the tantras, treatise, oral transmission and the instruction. The six vertical lines on the skull cap stands for the six qualities of a physician. The three coloured knots on the tassel represent the three humours of rlung (wind), mkhrispa (bile) and badkan (phlegm). The academic regalia of Tibetan Astro. Science are: • Gown - The deep blue colour of the gown symbolizes the colour of beryl: the stainless space is considered not only the ultimate manifestation of all the four elements but also the source of all phenomena which represents Tibetan Astro. Science. The yellow edgings represent the three main requesters of the Tibetan Astro. Science Lord Brahma, Shambala King Suchandra and Goddess Parvati. The inner white gown symbolizes the most unique, brightest moon of the autumn season as does the ‘Phugpa Astro. Tradition and its practitioners. • Mortar-board - The five bands of colour (deep blue, white, yellow, green and red) in front of the skull cap stands for the body, speech, mind, wisdom
and the action of Lord Manjushri, Kalachakra Diety, and Lord Shiva who are the preachers of elemental astrology, Kalachakra tantra, and the arising vowel respectively. The four corners of the mortarboard represent the four main practices of Tibetan Astro. Science: pacifying, enriching, subjugating and destroying. The six vertical lines on the skull cap stand for the six elements of consciousness, space, wind, fire, water and earth. The three coloured knots on the tassel represent the three main categories of Tibetan Astro. Science: Astronomy, Astrology, and Arising Vowel.
Donations received from April to June, 2014 Scholarship Dr.Roland & Mag. Elisabeth Rainer Austria Jan Van Welie Netherland Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany Tove Langemyr Larsen Norway Staff Children Scholarship Karin Peilicke-Atir Germany Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany Tibet Charity Denmark Alina Ekiridzo Canada Medical France Tibet Association France Alan R Hall UK Franco Lorenzoni Italy Martina Jelinek Austria Inter Educare E.V Germany Initiative Oberland Germany Stipend of Retired Staff Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany
28,700.00 55,784.00 75,629.00 107,190.00 15,987.00 57,690.00 35,324.00 28,655.00 310,071.00 16,479.00 17,571.00 13,056.00 152,802.00 12,746.00 39,081.00
Ladakh Jangthang Medical Camp Fund The Federal Republic of Germany India 1,306,221.00 Elisabeth Zimmermann Austria 435,963.00 Poor & Needy Patient Tove Langemyr Larsen Norway 91,924.00 Donation for Outreach Program Jindal Charitable Trust India 236,800.00 Sanjay Shah India 11,000.00
Donations received through Branch Clinics from April - June, 2014
Virupaxkumar N. Bonageri
BOOK POST
From MEN-TSEE-KHANG
(Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute) Gangchen Kyishong Dharamsala - 176 215 Distt. Kangra, H.P. India
To:
10,000.00
Donations for Centenary Celebrations (March 23, 2016 - March 23, 2017)
Dr. Lobsang Soepa Dr. Tenzin Thaye Mr. Tenzin Nyandak (branch) MTK staff/Wagers (from July 2013- June, 2014)
Bengaluru
111,111.00 10,807.00 1,111.00 3,953,134.61