Jan Mar Newsletter 2014

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. XXXII

January - March 2014

OUTREACH PROGRAMME Bylakuppe, South India Men-Tsee-Khang held an outreach programme during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings on the 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) at Sera Monastery from 25 December, 2013 to 3 January, 2014.

The branch clinics in South India, Bylakuppe and Seramey participated at the Sera Jhe main temple area to provide public health service to the 1000’s of pilgrims who came for the teachings.

53 anniversary of Men-Tsee-Khang, Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Health Kalon, CTA as Chief Guest

Dr.

CONTENTS Outreach Programme

Courses and Conference

53 founding anniversary Upcoming Tibetan medicine courses and conference

Pg: 1 Pg: 2 Pg: 5 Pg: 7

Tenzin

Bhaye (visiting physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and deputy head of Pharmacy department) and Dr. Choeden from Dharamsala, including three doctors (Dr. Passang Dhondup, Dr. Tenzin Woser, Dr. Kunga Dechen) and 7 staff (Ngawang Lhamo, Phurbu Dolma, Tsering Dickyi,

Chungdak, Yangchen Dolma, Penpa Lhamo, Tenzin Namdol) from both the clinics attended the event.

During the 10 days programme, the doctors provided traditional Tibetan health care to over 7000 interested people and amongst them a total of 2,611 patients received free health care amounting to Rs. 198,169.00 Guwahati: During the Inter-Faith Conclave and public talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Guwahati,

Editor Ms. Kalsang Dechen editor@men-tsee-khang.org Assistant editor Mr. Tseten Dorjee 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 Website Gangchen Kyishong www.men-tsee-khang.org Dharamsala - 176215 wwww.mentsee.org INDIA

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

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 Addresses

Mail Consultation

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

26,180.00 during the three days teaching and public talk by His Holiness.

Assam from 1-3 February, 2014, Men-Tsee-Khang organised an outreach tour. A total number of 399 patients received free medicine amounting to Rs.

Shillong: An outreach programme was organised by MenTsee-Khang during the teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Shillong, Meghalaya, on February 4. A total of 116 people received health care according to the

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.tibetan-medicine.org

traditional Tibetan system of healing.

Free medicine was distributed to patients and a charitable amount of Rs. 12,065.00 was given during the one day programme.

COURSES/WORKSHOPS/ CONFERENCE Mundgod, South India A one-month workshop on mind & mental factors and meditative practices was held at Drepung Gomang Monastic University in

News

Mundgod, Karnataka State from 21 January to 20 February, 2014.

The workshop was organised by the Body, Mind and Life Department for the students of Tibetan Medical & Astro. College.

A total number of 33 students registered for the workshop from which 16 students were selected for the course, out of which fifteen were medical students and one was an astrology student.

There were six sessions in a day of one hour in duration facilitated

by Drepung Tripa Lobsang Tenpa, Geshe Tenpa Phakchoe, Geshe Tenzin Choephel, and Geshe Jigme Gyatso. The seriousness and enthusiasm-shown by the students in this workshop impressed the teachers and they were happy to share their knowledge.

On 19 February, the students appeared for oral and written examinations on what they had learnt during the month-long workshop. The closing ceremony was held on 20 February with Geshe Yonten Damchoe, the abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery as the chief guest.

Jan-Mar 2014

thank Drepung Gomang Monastic University for their support and assistance. This workshop

was headed by Geshe Tenpa Tashi (head of Body Mind Life Department) with assistant Mrs. Sonam Yangdon, office secretary of the department and Mr. Shonu from Men-Tsee-Khang.

Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh: Men-Tsee-Khang organized a National Conference on Tibetan Astro.

Science at the College Main Hall from 24 to 26 March, 2014.

The overall feedback of the students was highly satisfactory, with students scoring maximum of 96.40% and minimum of 72%.

The aim of the conference was to provide a platform to all the individuals related to this particular field of wisdom, to further their knowledge and to inspire the aspirants of Tibetan astro. science. Tibetan astro. science is a unification of three systems: astronomy, elemental astrology and astrology of arising vowels.

Men-Tsee-Khang would like to

The chief guest at the opening

Men-Tsee-Khang

ceremony was Ven. Kasur Kirti Rinpoche.

The conference commenced with the lighting of a butter lamp by the chief guest, a recitation of shambala prayer and offering of ceremonial butter tea and sweet rice.

The chairman of the organizing committee Mrs. Tsering Choezom, head of astro. department welcomed the chief guest, dignitaries, speakers, participants, staff and students.

She gave an introductory speech on the background, aims and objectives and the planned programme of the conference.

In this conference besides eminent practitioners from the astrological field, there was also a confluence of Kalachakra scholars, historians, Tibetan Buddhist and medical practitioners as well.

Then the chief guest Ven. Kasur Kirti Rinpoche addressed the gathering by welcoming the director, guest, speakers, staff and students.

Rinpoche said that Tibetan medicine and astrology is interrelated and one of the 3

News

important major sciences of learning which has the potential to benefit and serve as well as get rid of the suffering of the people at large.

Rinpoche stressed the significance of not only to

preserve the astrological knowledge but also to revive and develop it further by conducting conferences, discussions and dialogues with experts from different astrological systems.

In Tibet, astrology has been deeprooted in the social activities of the common man in solving the problems of everyday life and should be so in Tibetan exile community as well.

“It is essential that this field of science does not become the knowledge of only practitioners and academicians but should be more accessible to the common man” said the chief guest.

Tibetan indigineous astrology is a culmination of Indian astrology and Chinese astrology. We have to take this opportunity while in exile to exchange views and Men-Tsee-Khang

Jan-Mar 2014

share experiences with Indian astrologers. Collaboration with scientist is also another significant aspect to incorporate for bringing development into this field of science as well.

The chief guest said, “it is

also important to work towards making the almanac easier, simpler to use which is understandable by the common mass”.

The function concluded with the word of thanks by astrologer Mr. Tenzin Nandak, vice chairman of the organizing committee.

The speakers spoke on 8 different topics: • history of Tibetan astro. science (Mr. Sonam Gyaltsen, teacher in College of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah) • understanding the external, internal and alternative Kalachakra Tantra and its practice, geomancy & practical application of ‘Sadak Toche’ (Ven. Jadho Rinpoche, Lama Umze of Gyuto Monastery and ex abbot of Namgyal Monastery).

•

comparative study of Tibetan and Vedic astrology (Mr. Tashi Tsering, lecturer Bhot Jyotish Department, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi).

• a practical calculation of Tibetan solar and lunar

eclipses (Aepa Sonam Rinchen, Doctor and Astrologer).

• earth-lord of year, month, day & time and its remedy (Geshe Sherap Lundrup, teacher astrology at Menri Monastery).

• the importance of puja or rites listed in Tibetan astro. science (Ven. Gedun Tsering, rituals, tantra, philosophical texts expert, Gyuto monastery).

• relationship between Tibetan astro. science and medicine (Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, visiting physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and chairman of High Level Medical & Astro.

Council). The theme of the conference was “The state of practical applications of Tibetan astro. science”.

10 astrologers presented articles on status of Tibetan astro.

4

News

science (Mr. Dorji Wangyal), understanding of khri-sGo (Mr. Kunchok Tenzin), development stages of the Kalachakra tantra (Mr. Lhawang Tsering), an explanation of the difference between Tibetan astrology, theistic religions and modern science of the universe (Mr. Kunga Dhondup), and the ways of structuring the preliminary chapters of elemental astrology into table forms and how to calculate elemental astrology through sand board or mathematical calculation (Mr. Tashi Norbu).

Ms. Lhamo Yangchen presented a brief discussion about the formation of the universe, a brief discussion about the development stages of Tibetan astrology and its characteristics (Ms. Passang Lhamo), a number of heartfelt ideas to advance the traditional Tibetan astrology in modern times (Mr. Dhakpa Gyatso), a short description of reasons in numeric languages (Ms. Tenzin Yanki), and an explanation of the five types of funeral systems from viewpoints of elemental astrology (Mr. Monlam Yeshi).

53RD FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF MEN-TSEE-KHANG M e n - Ts e e - K h a n g celebrated its 53 founding anniversary on 23 March, 2014.

The ceremony started at 10.25 a.m. with the arrival Men-Tsee-Khang

Jan-Mar 2014

of the Chief Guest followed by recitation of Yuthok prayers and offering ceremonial butter tea and sweet rice.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr. Tsering Wangchuk, Kalon Health Department, CTA and the dignitaries present were the chief justice commissioner and two other justice commissioners, secretary of the various CTA departments, directors and head of NGO’s, institutes, monasteries, volunteers and supporters and, Indian friends as well.

Apart from around 90 dignitaries who joined in the college main hall where the function was held, all the staff and students of the institute participated in ceremony.

The Director of Men-Tsee-Khang, Mr. Tashi Tsering Phuri addressed the gathering by welcoming the Chief Guest, dignitaries, guests, staff and students of the Institute. He briefly explained about the re-

establishment of Men-TseeKhang in exile from its initial stage to the present process of development through the stages during its 53 years of journey.

The ceremony honoured those staff who have completed 30 and 20 years of service in the Institute, presenting the Menrampa Degree to the 12 batch graduate doctors, 16 batch Medical students with Bachelors Degree of Tibetan medicine and 8 batch astrology students with Bachelors Degree of Tibetan astrology, distribution of awards to the 17 & 18 batch medical students, 9 batch astro. science students and the monitors of students by the chief guest.

Three Men-Tsee-Khang publications were launched by the chief guest Men-Tsee Dasar (monthly news on Tibetan medicine and astrology in Tibetan) and a manual book on traditional Tibetan Almanac in Tibetan by Documentation and Publication Department and an analytical report of the patient’s questionnaire form on diseases Vol-II (1994 - 2010)

by Research and Development Department, Men-Tsee-Khang.

5

Jan-Mar 2014

News

The chief guest Dr. Tsering Wangchuk congratulated Men-Tsee-Khang on its 53 anniversary and welcomed all the dignitaries, guests, staff and students who have gathered at the function.

He applauded the development of the Institute from its humble beginning in 1961 to its present full-fledged organisation.

With the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the determination of the staff and students the revival and preservation of this ancient tradition of Tibetan medicine and astrology in exile was possible.

The chief guest said, “MenTsee-Khang was set up in 1961 before the Health Department,

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in preserving the ancient tradition of Tibetan medicine (gSowa Rigpa: knowledge of healing) and astro. science for the benefit and service of human beings.

“Growth or development has no boundaries and we have to strive continuously to make further progress in the field of research, collaborations etc” said the chief guest.

Then Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, registrar of the Institute gave the word of thanks and the function concluded with the prayer for the prosperity of Tibetan medicine and astrology followed by lunch.

encouragement.

He also visited DLIHE (Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Education, Bangalore) to discuss matters related to the establishment of Men-Tsee-Khang College and Pharmacy there.

of the Institute was celebrated in the branch clinics of ladakh, Mumbai, Delhi, Salugara, Kolkata, Gangtok, Mainpat, Kollegal, Bangalore, shimla, Dalhousie, Tenzin Gang, Bomdila, Ravangla, Bandara, Ahmedabad, Dekyiling and Bhubaneshwar to bring awareness amongst the locals on traditional Tibetan system of health care and astro. science.

DIRECTOR’S TOUR Our Director made a tour of the branch clinics in South India from 12 to 25 February, 2014.

In Bangalore our Director met and greeted the staff of the branch clinic and gave words of

Then he visited Chennai and met with Dr. Nandita Krishna, sponsor of the branch clinic. He thanked her for the unwavering support towards the success of the clinic.

His next visit was to the Kollegal branch clinic, followed by Hunsur, Bylakuppe and Mundgod branches as well. During his visit to these branch clinics he met the staff working at the respective clinics, greeted them and offered words of encouragements.

On his return back in Delhi, he met Stephen Kloos and had discussions on Tibetan medicine in general. Our Director also had meeting with the staff of Nizamuddin branch clinics.

Donations received through Branch Clinics from Jan-Mar, 2014 Sukhbir Singh Kohli Susen Varghese Geshe Tseten Sukhbir Singh Chetan Mahesh Ina Satara Jaya Gogri Lamrin committee

Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai Seramey Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai Navi Mumbai Bylakuppe

2,000.00 10,000.00 38,000.00 5000.00 5000.00 3000.00 20,000.00 10,000.00

The 53 founding anniversary Men-Tsee-Khang

6

CONFERENCES 2nd International Conference on Body, Mind and LIfe

(1 to 3 October, 2014)

The first Body, Mind and Life conference held in 2013 had an immense impact which paved the way for this second international conference.

COURSES Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

(23 to 29 May) Men-Tsee-Khang will be conducting a 5-day basic course on Tibetan medicine in English for the Minnesota group from 23-29 May, 2014 at Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India.

For details contact:

Men-Tsee-Khang College

Ms. Sonam Lhamo, Course Coordinator

tmaicollege@men-tsee-khang.org Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

(4 to 8 August) A 5-day basic course on Tibetan medicine in English will be conducted by Men-Tsee-Khang Culture Centre in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.

For details contact:

Mr. Sonam Dorjee, Course Coordinator

ladakh_cultural@ men-tsee-khang.org Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

(8 to 25 September) Men-Tsee-Khang will be conducting a 5-day introductory course from 8–12 September, 2014 and a 10-day foundation course from 15-25 September, 2014 in English on Tibetan Medicine at Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh (INDIA) For details contact:

Men-Tsee-Khang College

Ms. Sonam Lhamo, Course Coordinator

tmaicollege@men-tsee-khang.org

The aim behind this conference is to bring together different religious and medical systems on one platform in exploring ways to improve mental health care, exchange of ideas between different approaches and identifying a common outcome for the development of mental health care.

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 details contact:

BODY, MIND & LIFE DEPARTMENT

Men-Tsee-Khang, Gangchen Kyishong

Dharamsala - 176215

Distt. Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)

INDIA

email : bodymindlife@men-tsee-khang.org

Donations received from January to March, 2014 Donation Kagyu Tekchen Choling Argentina 12,060.00 Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Omidyar Network USA 585,298.00 Bodh Gaya Medical Camp India 1,186.00 Julia Kyelgaard, Emory University USA 3,000.00

Scholarship Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany 100,548.00 Tibet Freunde Switzerland 62,897.00 Tibet Freunde Switzerland 61,061.00 Initiative Oberland Germany 14,657.00

Staff Children Scholarship Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany 49,142.00 Ingela Isaksson Sweden 27,822.00 Tibet Charity Denmark 47,673.00 Medical France Tibet Association France 325,504.00 Reija Lilja Finland 15,770.00 Anne Brunila Finland 14,850.00 Tibet Charity Denmark 99,306.00 Phyllis Florman USA 12,848.00

(Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute) Gangchen Kyishong Dharamsala - 176 215 Distt. Kangra, H.P. India

Met Mme Bernard Fesselet

To:

Germany Germany Germany USA Canada France

13,166.00 24,212.00 24,212.00 42,396.00 15,913.00 32,703.00

Stipend of Retired Staff Deutsche Tibethilfe E.V Germany 35,382.00

Fmed Project University of Wisconsin, Madison USA 296,499.94

Donations for Centenary Celebrations (March 23, 2016 - March 23, 2017)

Dr. Lobsang Soepa 111,111.00 Dr. Tenzin Thaye 10,807.00 Mr. Tenzin Nyandak (branch) 1,111.00 MTK staff/Wagers (from July 2013- March, 2014) 3,608,170.01

BOOK POST

From

MEN-TSEE-KHANG

Initiative Oberland Angelika Lafleur Angelika Lafleur Janet E Goldman Katarzyana Nowak