Introduction to the Studies of Tibetan Medical Sources (An Old and Rare Book)

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Dr. Natalia D. Bolsokhoyeva born in Ulan-Ude (Buryatiya, Russia), graduated from Leningrad (now St.-Petersburg) University, specialising in Tibetan medieval literature. She works in the Institute of Social Sciences of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude).

Since 1982 Dr. Natalia D. Bolsokhoyeva is engaged in scientific study and research on the Tibetan culture in Nepal with special references to Tibetan medicine in Nepal.

She is a co-author of the monograph "Introduction to the Studies of Ganjur and Danjur", Novosibirsk, 1989. She is the author of books entitled "Tibetan Medicine in Nepal" and "Tibetan Culture in Nepal", that will be published by Palitra Pubishing House in St.-Petersburg. She has written more than seventy articles, relating to the subject of Tibetan medieval literature and different aspects of Tibetan medicine. "Tibetan Songs from Dingri", collected and translated into English by Kalsang Tsering and Natalia D. Bolsokhoyeva is under preparation now.

The present work is a result of many years of studies and scientific researches of the Tibetan written sources, relating the genre of the Tibetan medical literature. This work has been compiled from original Tibetan sources. First of all I would like to name the main guidance on the theory and practice of the Tibetan medical science, with a title as "rGyu bzhi" (Four Tantras"), scientific commentary ('Bru - 'grel) is called "Vaidurya sngon po", practical guidance - addition to the third volume of "rGyu - bzhi", entitled "Lhan thabs," numerous pharmacognostic and pharmacological treatises, texts on the history of the Tibetan medicine "Khog' bugs" and "Bod kyi gso ba rig pa'i lo rgyus", as well as illustrations to "rGyu- bzhi" and "Vaidurya sngon - po", popularly known as "The Atlas of Tibetan Medicine" ("The Tibetan Medical Thankas"). The entire sources materials mentioned above were compiled by the medieval and modern Tibetan scholars, traditional Tibetan medical doctors Emchis at the different times and they, without any exception, are the source materials for the wider studies of the history, development and formation of the Tibetan medical system, for the true conception and its theoretical and practical problems.

Tibetan medicine has a history of nearly one thousand and three hundred years old. In the early seventh century in Tibet it appeared under the great influence of Buddhism. Neighbouring countries India, China and Nepal played an important role in the diffusion of Buddhism. In neighbouring countries Buddhism and Buddhist culture had flourished for a number of centuries. Marriage relations of the king of the first centralized Tibetan state Srong btsan Gam po with Chinese princess Wengchen Kongjo and Nepalese princess Bhrikuti Devi Khri - btsun opened the doors for the spreading of Buddhist culture and civilization in Tibet. With the entourage of the Chinese princess many medical doctors arrived in Tibet.