Traditional Tibetan Medicine Program’s Four-year Curriculum
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CatalogEach semester of the four-year curriculum combines a tripartite approach to the study of the Tibetan medical tradition that includes foundation core studies based on the topics of the Four Tantras, complimentary studies in Tibetan language and culture, and clinical practicums. Students in the Shang Shung Institute program of Tibetan medicine can expect to receive training that covers all the major topics presented in any Tibetan language course of study in Tibetan medicine but presented in English. For those students who complete the first seven semesters onsite, an optional internship at the Northeast Traditional Tibetan Hospital in Qinghai, China will be available at the conclusion of their studies.
The Shang Shung program offers seven consecutive semesters over the course of 14 weeks each consisting of 320 total hours. Each week, students will participate in appropriately 20 hours of classes and clinical practicums. Among these hours per week are appropriately; 16 hours for lecture, 6 hours for Tibetan language and culture studies, and 3 hours for a clinical practicum. There are no electives or part/time study options in the Tibetan Medicine four-year program and students are expected to participate in all aspects covering each semester’s topics. Classes currently meet for two and a half consecutive days per week. In this way, students have time during the week for study, work, and time for other obligations. Each semester the daily schedule is subject to change. A final schedule will be posted prior to each semester according to class.
Course Descriptions
Core Foundation Studies
The core foundation studies represent the major topics as presented in the Four Tantras that forms the theoretical basis for the practice of Tibetan medicine. Each semester, students will be introduced to these topics gradually building their knowledge base through the systematic examination and integration of the material as traditionally taught for centuries.
Tibetan History
Among the five sciences found in the Tibetan canon, the Tibetan science of healing is considered the most important containing knowledge compiled and disseminated since antiquity by the Tibetan people. It is one of the oldest continuously applied healing systems on the planet that remains a vital and living tradition.
Evolving over many centuries, Tibetan healers gradually created new techniques for protecting life, increasing the productive work and happiness of individuals, as well as treating illness. Students will be introduced to the historical origination and developments of the Tibetan medical tradition with an emphasis on how the key topics evolved to their present stage.
Tibetan Medicine Root Tantra
The Root Tantra introduces all the major topics of learning in the science of healing according to the Tibetan tradition in a concise overview that establishes the sources of Tibetan Medicine and the topics later to be covered in depth. As such, for centuries it has been the essential foundation for all studies in Tibetan medicine. Learning the essential topics covered in the Root Tantra allow students to prepare fully for integrating the knowledge of each area in greater depth as these topics are presented in a systematic order throughout their course of study.
Tibetan Physiology
The study of Tibetan physiology covers the formation of the body from conception to death. Students will be introduced systematically to the whole sequence from the initial stages of conception, how the body exists during one’s life, to how it is harmed and perishes in the end. The principles of human conception, stages of development, the number of normal components, the shape, their interconnection, secondary causes, the principles of the appearance of longevity, life energy and nature are among the aspects covered in Tibetan physiology.
Preventative Medicine
“Living for a long while without illness” is the knowledge of how to protect wellbeing and benefit a person’s life by preventing the occurrence and development of illness in a person’s constitution. Preventative medicine includes two sections, diet and behavior, as key factors in the promotion of health.
Pathology
This topic of study will indicate the complete stages of the development of illness according to the Tibetan tradition, i.e. the characteristics of the cause and condition of the producing illness in the constitution of a human being; how illness manifests, the origins of an illness, the indications of a manifesting illness, and the general classification of diseases.
Ethical Conduct of a Tibetan Doctor
This topic of study instills an understanding of the requirements that are necessary for a practitioner of Tibetan medicine from a traditional perspective. Among the topics covered are standards, the responsibilities and commitments that are necessary to maintain these standards, the activities and obligations that must be accomplished, and the result of the attainments and position the practitioner of Tibetan medicine holds in relation to their patients.
Etiology and Causes of Illness
This topic of study will show the complete stages of the development of illness in general, i.e. the characteristics of the cause and condition of the producing illness in the constitution of a human being; the way illnesses begin, the nature of becoming an illness, the indications of a manifesting illness, and the categorization of types of disease.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the training and introduction of administering medicinal herbs for the human body covering the basic principles of preparing these according to a typology of taste and the effects of medicinal substances.
Diagnostics I
Students will be introduced to the practical theory of investigating and examining the basis of an illness through the three primary components of diagnosis in the Tibetan tradition: pulse analysis, urinalysis, and diagnostic interview.
Diagnostics II
Diagnostics II is a continuation of Diagnostics I covering more advanced techniques.
Methods of Treatment
The study of the methods of treatment corresponds to the delivery systems of Tibetan medicine within the categories of treatment methods for classes of illness. Topics will cover specific treatments, the responsibility to reach the goals of a treatment, and comparing the general and specific features of diseases with specific methods of treatment.
External Therapies
The external therapies are among the four principle treatments in Tibetan medicine (diet, behavior, herbs, and external therapies). External therapies include both strong and gentle applications of a variety of techniques that include moxibustion, compresses, medicinal bath, medicinal plasters and massage.
Expurgation
The topic of expurgation is the study of when to apply various methods of purgation in the treatment of phlegm, bile, and wind disorders in order to achieve greater health and balance.
Three Nyepas (Humors)
The three humors are agents that are primarily responsible for the origin; duration and perishing of the human body that is the basis of Tibetan medicine. The humors-- wind, bile and phlegm are the cause and condition for illness, and transform into illness. This is the study that introduces in detail and clearly indicates the properties of the symptoms of diseases, the principles of their manifestation, examination, and administration of medicine according to the three humors.
Treating Illness of the Torso
That is the study of the causes and condition of those general classes of diseases belonging to the torso, symptoms; the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and so on.
Heat Disorders
Heat Disorders covers the study of the causes and condition of those general classes of diseases belonging to heat diseases, symptoms; the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, and administration of medicine and treatments.
Illnesses of the Upper Body
Illnesses of the upper body cover the study of the causes and condition of those general classes of diseases belonging to the upper body and when they occur; symptoms; the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, and administration of medicine and treatments.
Common Diseases
Common diseases cover the study of the causes and condition of those miscellaneous illnesses that are commonly encountered. Students will be introduced to the symptoms, principles of manifestation of particular common illnesses, their diagnosis, and administration of medicine and treatments.
Pediatrics
Pediatrics covers the study of the special features and issues of newborn infants with attention to methods of how to protect their well-being. As with other topics, students will be introduced to the primary causes and condition of illnesses associated with the newborn infant; symptoms; the principles of manifestation; diagnosis; and administration of medicine and treatments.
Gynecology
Gynecology covers the study of the special features how women’s illnesses occur, the causes and condition of those illnesses; symptoms; the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and so on. Students will be introduced to the study of illnesses connected with female genitalia and various treatments proscribed in the treating these disorders according to the Tibetan tradition.
Provocations
In the Tibetan tradition, environmental factors and energies are perceived as impacting the wellbeing of individuals. In the topic of provocations students will study how particular places, seasons, and conditions of the classes of extraordinary diseases emerge when energetic forces that cannot be directly seen to be causes of illness nevertheless cause illness. Students will be introduced to the symptoms, the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and treatments in such circumstances.
Wounds
The study of wounds relates to external and internal injuries caused by accidents, weapons, or otherwise wounds that appear from disturbances of the humors and how to examine, diagnose and treat them.
Poisons
This is the study of different types of poisons, the causes and conditions of being poisoned and the nature of prepared poisons, and the division of illnesses from poison, and symptoms, the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and treatments.
Conclusion of the Tantras
All of these topics constitute an exhaustive presentation of the whole of Tibetan Medicine, and together with instruction and practical advice; the student will be trained in the entire field of Tibetan medicine from beginning to end as it is traditionally presented in the Four Tantras.
Practicum Clinical Trainings I-VII Descriptions
The core foundation studies are complimented with seven practicum’s on the various topics introduced in a particular semester. Students will also have an opportunity to learn Kunye, a massage unique to the Tibetan medical tradition during their first, second, and fourth practicums. See descriptions for all three levels below:
Kunye Massage Therapy
Kunye, a massage that is taught in the Tibetan Medical tradition, is unique to that tradition. Mentioned in some of the ancient texts of the Bon and Buddhist religions, Kunye has been practiced for centuries in the Himalayan regions by Tibetan peoples.
The term kunye is the combination of two words: “ku” and “nye.” “Ku” means to anoint the body of a sick or healthy person with oils which are appropriate to that person’s specific illness or constitution. “Nye” means to externally rub or massage crucial points such as nerves and tendons. The combination of ku and nye is a method to cure internal imbalances and disease.
The Conclusive Tantra, the last of the four medical tantras, states that the mild therapies consist of compresses, medicinal baths and massage." Kunye massage is considered a mild therapy.
The practice of massage is very beneficial and does not have negative effects; moreover, it can be done by anyone, regardless of whether they are doctors, yogis, or not. For this reason, this therapeutic modality has always been practiced throughout the centuries by the Tibetan people and continues to be practiced today.
The study of Tibetan massage is structured on three levels. Each of the three levels comprises a total of 36 hours.
The first level consists of:
* A brief history of Tibetan medicine * The principle of the five elements as taught in the Tibetan medical texts * The principle of the three humors * The humoral characteristics of different types of people * The diagnostic procedure of pulse-taking * The diagnostic procedure of urine observation * A review of cases in which massage is appropriate or contraindicated * Finding massage points * Measurement for finding massage points * How to perform the actual kunye massage * Benefits of kunye massage
The second level consists of:
* How to massage the points * How to apply the oils * Kunye massage indicated for healthy people * Kunye massage indicated for sick people * Kunye massage for neurological disorders * Kunye massage for muscular problems * Kunye massage for people with mental disorders * How to massage points related to internal organs * The medical properties of the application of hot and cold compresses and stones, their use and benefits
The third level consists of:
* Oils used in Kunye massage * Understanding the tastes and properties of herbs used in the preparation of the oils and recognizing these herbs * Preparation of oils used in Tibetan kunye massage * Understanding properties of different types of oils * Understanding which oils are appropriate for different types of diseases * Benefits of the different oils and their indications
Course Descriptions
Complimentary Studies I-VII Descriptions
Tibetan Language
Although the four-year program is presented entirely in English, students need to acquire basic reading, writing, and listening skills in the Tibetan language in order to refer to the huge body of literature on Tibetan medicine, as yet untranslated, as well as the primary texts used in the program. The Tibetan language is unrivaled for its sophisticated and subtle contexts in relating nuances of physical and mental harmony or disharmony. Knowledge of the original language of Tibetan medicine will enable students in the program to better grasp the complex terminology and contextual meanings. Beginning with the basics of the Tibetan alphabet and grammar, students are gradually introduced to relevant texts by their third semester as they progress in their ability to translate from Tibetan to English. A basic competency of the language will allow students to become life long scholars in the field and prepare for their studies abroad during the optional eighth semester.
Tibetan History and Cultural Studies
In order to fully grasp the magnitude of Tibetan medicine, students need to understand the historical and cultural traditions from which Tibetan medicine arises. Over the course of their studies at the Shang Shung Institute, students will be introduced to the rich oral and historical commentaries associated with the Tibetan medical tradition in the form of stories, mythologies, and allegories that have evolved for centuries and are considered part of every Tibetan doctor’s training.