Fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine

FREE Delivery
Express Shipping
$34
Express Shipping: Guaranteed Dispatch in 24 hours
Quantity
Delivery Ships in 1-3 days
Item Code: IDC377
Publisher: Men-Tsee-Khang Publication, Dharamsala
Edition: 2009
ISBN: 8186419047
Pages: 155 (16 B/W, and 3 Color Illustrations)
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5” X 5.5”
Weight 230 gm
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
23 years in business
23 years in business
Book Description
Back of the Book

“Tibetan medicine is far more advanced in the understanding of the nature of mind than Western medicine. In matters of understanding the physical functioning of the human body, the Tibetan medicine…is less advanced than the Western medicine. Without mixing the two approaches, and without saying one is better than the other, both schools should work together in order to find ways of understanding each other and thus boost the effectiveness of the two healing techniques.”

Preface to the Third Edition

The first edition of the Fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine, published in 1981, has remained one of the most popular and widely used publications on Tibetan Medicine available in English. In 1995, a second revised edition was published in response to an increasing interest in Tibetan medicine and a greater demand for literature on the subject.

The need for a third revised edition was again felt and in 1996, the Director of Men-Tsee-Khang appointed us to expand and revise the book. However, due to our other Institutional responsibilities, we could not begin work on the project until the summer of 1997. We are pleased to bring out this book, started initially during the Directorship of Mr. Tsering Tashi, and completed with the encouragement of our current Director, Mr. Pema Dadhul Arya. The support of both Directors has been invaluable.

In this Third Edition, as in the Second, alterations, additions and deletions have been made to material from the edition preceding it. The material in Part One has been divided into four distinct chapters, with the addition of an introductory section on the history of Tibetan medicine. Where new information has been added from the rGyud-bZhi or its commentary Vaidurya sNgon-po and the original text was too complicated or technical for the purposes of an introductory book such as this, we have attempted to simplify the material without sacrificing the essential points. In doing so, errors or omissions may have occurred, for which we take full responsibility. When it seemed useful, we have condensed material into tables. We have updated some photos from the previous edition and also have added a pronunciation guide to Tibetan medical terms.

It is our sincere desire that all who read this book will benefit from it and experience good health.

Introduction

Birth, old age, disease and death always have been part and parcel of our life in the realm of cyclic existence. However, humankind always has sought and devised theories to explain the causes of disease and has developed various techniques for its prevention, alleviation, and cure. Interpretations of health and disease differ from one society to another in accordance with each of their unique cultural backgrounds.

Early humans ascribed disease to the evil influences of malignant souls (ghosts, devils, etc.), magic and incantations. The ancient Jews regarded disease as an expression of the wrath of God; the Chinese viewed disease as disharmony between two opposing forces of Yin and Yang or the Five Elements; the Indian Ayurvedists viewed disease as a result of improper proportion of the Tridoshas of Vayu, Pitta, and Kapha; and the ancient Greeks attributed the cause of the disharmony of phlegm, black bile, yellow bile and blood.

The understanding of health and disease in Tibetan society is explained extensively in a system of healing known as gSo-ba Rig-pa or the Science of Healing. The original teachings of this system are generally attributed to the Buddha, who is said to have taught the root of this tradition in the manifestation of Medicine Buddha (Skt: Bhaishajya Guru; Tib: Sangs-rgyas sman-bla). The essential aspects of his teachings are touched upon widely in the rGyud-bZhi or the Four Tantras.

 

Contents

 

  Foreword v
  Preface to Third Edition vii
  Acknowledgements ix
  Transliteration xi
  Guide to Pronounciation of Tibetan Medical Terms xii
  List of Tables and Figures xvii
 
PART ONE
Concepts of Traditional Tibetan Medicine
 
Chapter One: Introduction 1
  History of Tibetan Medicine 2
  The rGyud-bZhi 12
Chapter Two: Etiology 15
  Primordial Level 15
  Immediate Level 22
Chapter Three: Diagnosis 26
  Visual Examination 26
  Touch 32
  Interrogation 47
Chapter Four: Therapeutics 49
  Dietary Approach 49
  Behavioral Approach 58
  Accessory Therapies 62
  Pharmacology 66
 
PART TWO
The Allegorical Tree
 
  Introduction 83
  Root of Etiology 85
  Trunk 1: Mind-Body in Equilibrium 86
  Trunk 2: Mind-Body in Disequilibrium 89
  Root of Diagnosis 95
  Trunk 3: Visual Diagnosis 95
  Trunk 4: Sphygmology 96
  Trunk 5: Interrogation 96
  Root of Therarpeutics 100
  Trunk 6: Diet 100
  Trunk 7: Behavior 102
  Trunk 8: Medicines 102
  Trunk 9: Accessory Therapies 107
  Notes 108
 
Appendices
 
  Appendix A: Evil Spirits Urinalysis 116
  Appendix B: Prognostication using Constitutional Pulse 120
  Appendix C: Mother-Son & Friend-Foe Cycles 122
  Appendix D: Contents of the rGyud-bZhi 122
  References 129
  Bibliography 122
Sample Page


Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at [email protected]
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through [email protected].
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy

Book Categories