By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, June 2: Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Mentseekhang), the premiere institute of Tibetan medicine here in Dharamshala, today commemorated its 53rd anniversary dedicated to the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to “acknowledge the immeasurable kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and celebrate the greatness of our traditions and successive scholars.”
A modest ceremony today at the Mentseekhang hall was attended among others by Tibetan parliament’s Speaker Penpa Tsering, Tsering Wangchuk, Minister of Department of Health, Sonam Choephel Shosur, Secretary of Department of Health and Dawa Tsering, Tibetan Parliamentarian.
Speaker Penpa Tsering appreciated Mentseekhang for dedicating the anniversary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to pay tribute his vision and contribution. He also emphasized that realizing His Holiness’ kindness, one should always strive to follow or act on His Holiness’s advices.
Eight students with Menrampa Degree, five with Astrological Science and 24 with Bachelors Degree of Tibetan medicine were felicitated during the ceremony. Staff members who had completed 20 and 30 years of service were also honored with certificates and souvenirs.
Minister of Health Tsering Wangchuk advised the graduate students to understand and put to practice medical and universal ethics in their practice.
“It is important to create awareness on the ancient tradition of Tibetan medicine gSowa Rigpa (Tibetan science of healing) in the society as a way of prevention of diseases rather than just doing regular check-ups on patients,” said Wangchuk.
Established in 1916 by the Great 13th Dalai Lama in Tibet, Mentseekhang was re-established in exile in 1961 to promote and practise gSowa-rigpa, the Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology and provide accessible health care and produce Tibetan medicines in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Hundreds of doctors and astrologers from 54 Mentseekhang branches attended today’s function.
Till date, the institute has produced 288 Tibetan medical doctors and 60 Tibetan astrologers.
