Tibetan Medicine, Literary known as Sowa-Rigpa, is one of the oldest living and most authentic ancient medical systems of the mankind. It is a medical system that has a long history of unbroken medical heritage and has the richest collection of medical texts. Most of these texts dates back many hundreds of years and mention the usage of Tibetan medicinal plants in many different forms which have a great potential to contribute to the well being of mankind. It is also compatible with other medical systems as a complementary medical treatment and there are many testimonies of its success in treating chronic diseases. It is based on profound medical theory that is an integration of Science, Art and Philosophy. The textual commentaries and the practices of the Tibetan Medicine still exists in their complete and full form in the neighboring countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, including other Himalayan countries and regions. The fundamental text of Sowa-Rigpa; Tibetan Medicine is rGyud-bZhi (The Four Tantras). The complete text of rGyud-bZhi was translated into Russian language in the year 1908. From the beginning of 20th century, some parts of rGyud bZhi text were translated into Japanese, German, French and English. Specially, during the end of 20th century, due to the grace of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, many scholars, scientists and people from Eastern and Western parts of the world became aware of the extraordinary qualities and realized the profundity of the Tibetan medical system. Consequently, there has been a continuous increase in the number of people who appreciate and takes keen interest in the study of Tibetan medical science of healing. These circumstances in turn lead to the flourishing and expansion of Tibetan medicine all over the world.
rGyud-bZhi ; The Fundamental Text Book of Tibetan Medicine
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