"Tibetan Medicine Heals Kochi"
(By Friends of Tibet, Kochi, October 13, 2010)

Kochi Gets Ready for Traditional Tibetan Medical Camp (Photos: Friends of Tibet)

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In keeping with the growing interest on Tibetan Medicine by the people of Kerala, Friends of Tibet in association with Spice Holidays hosted the second traditional Tibetan medical camp by Men-Tsee-Khang, Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Fort Kochi in Kerala from October 13 till October 15, 2010. The three-day medical camp was held at the Spice Holidays, Burgher Street, Fort Kochi. The Pulse Diagnosis was conducted in continuation with the one-day medical camp that was held on the occasion of HH the Dalai Lama's first visit to Kerala in September 2010. The medical consultation was led by Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer of Bangalore branch clinic of Men-Tsee-Khang. Dr Dorjee Rapten and his medical team covers the health services through Tibetan Medicine in Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and other south Indian cities and towns.

Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer of Bangalore branch clinic of Men-Tsee-Khang conducting Pulse Diagnosis during the Men-Tsee-Khang medical camp at Kochi on October 13, 2010.

Tibetan medicine is a centuries-old traditional system encompassing spiritual,medical science and social behavior in the paradigm of holistic health. Disease or imbalance is diagnosed mainly through pulse analysis, urinalysis and healthy interrogation and understanding of one's dietary and life style factors. Herbo-mineral formulations in the form of pills, powders, decoctions etc and several accessory therapies are used to treat illness. Proper diet and lifestyle changes along with healthy mental attitude will be strongly emphasised. The Tibetan medical system is based upon a synthesis of Ayurveda, Unani, Greek, indigenous Tibetan, and Chinese medical systems. It is practiced in Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Siberia, China and Mongolia, and more recently in parts of Europe and North America. It embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that all illness ultimately results from the "three poisons" of the mind: ignorance, attachment and aversion. Therefore, the mind, body and spirits play very crucial role in understanding and the treatment of disease as a whole. The Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 and the notorious Cultural Revolution that took place from 1966 to 1976 virtually destroyed all the precious cultural heritage of Tibet and Tibetan people including its ancient medical system. How ever the efforts of the Government in Exile headed by HH the Dalai Lama has established in 1962, the Men Tsee-Khang (House of Medicine and Astrology) at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh which now has 55 Branch clinics all over India and Nepal. To know more about Men-Tsee-Khang, the Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, visit: www.men-tsee-khang.org

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