Tibetan Medicine: The Buddhist Way of Healing

by Dolkar Khangkar

Tibetan medicine is a traditional form of healing which basically employs natural materials (herbs, minerals, precious stones, metals) for compounding medicines. Buddhist healing is intimately linked with Buddhist philosophy. Initially, monks were initiates into the art of healing, but later family lineages developed till eventually it became a community service.

Today it is practised by a handful of authorised amchis (doctors) only. Read about this fascinating system which links ill health with the state of the mind and recommends Buddhism as a philosophy that heals the mind. The legendary scroll paintings used to teach medicine, adorn this basic study of the Buddhist way of healing.