e-News December 2012

M E N - T S E E - K H A N G e - N e w s

Men-Tsee-Khang

FREE MEDICAL CAMPOUTREACH TOUR

To serve the community, Men-Tsee-Khang held free Medical Camps in Ladakh, Jammu &

Kashmir in North India and Mundgod, Karnataka in South India for people who come to receive teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama from all

over the world.

Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir)From July 29-31 and August 4-7, 2012 Men-Tsee-Khang Culture Center Ladakh provided health care according to traditional Tibetan system of healing to the people who attended the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Padum, Zanskar and Leh.

Dr. Tenzin Thaye (visiting physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama & CMO of the branch) and Dr. Sonam Dickey including a team of five staff provided health services to a total of 1195 people there during the seven days teaching.

All the people were given free

Pachmarhi field trip survey

1

Men-Tsee-Khang 2

November 2012News

medicine during the teachings as charity amounting to Rs. 1,26,738.05/-.

Mundgod, Karnataka, South India The two branch clinics in Mundgod provided free health care service to the people who attended the Lamrin teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from 30 Nov - 13 Dec, 2012.

During the 15 days teaching, the team of four doctors from the respective branch clinics including Dr. Dorjee Rapten Neshar (CMO Bengaluru branch) and Dr. Tenzin Thaye (visiting physician to His Holiness the Dalia Lama) attended to the patients along with seven staff provided service to thousands of people.

Free medical service was given to a total of 3097 patients as charity amounting to Rs. 2,45,626.38/-.

OUTREACH TOUR

New DelhiOutreach programme in Delhi started during His Holiness the Dalai Lama teachings to a Russian group from 24-27 Dec, 2012. The program started from 22-27 Dec, 2012. A total number of 578 patients received health care service during the six

days of teaching program. The administration has decided to hold such programmes on regular basis. This outreach program has created first-hand understanding

and awareness of this traditional system of healing benefitting people who need health services but are unaware of this practice.

A FIELD TRIP SURVEY

Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)A field trip survey with the aim of studying the medicinal plants

grown in the natural habitat of Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh was carried out from 12-22 Dec, 2012.

The team consisted of seven doctors, five from Materia Medica Department one each from Men-Tsee-Khang College and Pharmaceutical Department.

Under the guidance of local Botanist Mr. Sahee Khan and Mr. Gyatso la, the group was able to visit places like Pandava Gufa, Jata Shankar, Dhoop Garh, Nagbani, Murculi and the local gardens. They studied almost 70 Medicinal trees and plants, collected samples, took photos and had discussions on most of the herbs grown there. Some plants were found in large quantities.

The covered area lies between the altitudes of 400m-1100m above sea level. The group were unable to get

permission to visit the restricted areas under the supervision of the forest department.

The field trip was a great success as they were able to study, collect sample and take pictures of almost all the medicinal plants grown in the area.

Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank Mr. Gyatso la for the kind hospitality and guidance rendered during the course of survey.

MEN-TSEE-KHANG OUTREACH PROGRAMME

USA Tour 2012The USA tour 2012 was led by Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, visiting physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chairman of High Level Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Council including two members Mr. Jhampa Kalsang, astrologer who is is currently based in USA and Mr. Tenzin Jigme development manager in USA (both former Men-Tsee-Khang staff).

The outreach program initiated by the Institute is to promote, preserve and provide traditional Tibetan sytem of health care and awareness to the people in the West. It aslo aims to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western medical systems in bringing about a global health alternative.

The team visted San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco in California; Conway Massachussetts, Atlanta in Georgia; New York and Virginia from November 2 - 23 December, 2012.

The team held lectures and

workshop on Tibetan Medicine and Astrology, exhibition display, and health consultations.

In these two months, the team visited Hospitals and health care centers, communities, Universities and Institutes in 29 places during the tour.

The team visited hospitals and health care centers at Coastal Communities Cancer Center, Ventura County Medical Center and San Diego Hospice in San Diego; Breast Cancer Resource Center, Sacred Space Organization, Goleta Community Center in Santa Barbara; Dakota Health Center, Tibetan Wellness and Healing Center in Bay Area,

California and Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center in

Massachusetts.

Universities and Institutes visited by the team were: South Baylo University, Los Angeles; Stanford Univeristy and San Francisco University in California; Halle Institute, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Amherst College, Conway and Shang Shung Institute of Tibetan Studies in Massachusetts.

Halle Luncheon EventThe Halle Luncheon event on “Tibetan Medicine and Modern Science” at Halle Institute, Emory University was co-sponsored by Emory-Tibet Science Initiative and Drepung Loseling Monastery.

Dr. Tsewang Tamdin addressed the gathering on the topic

Men-Tsee-Khang 3

“Subjecting Tibetan Medicine to Modern Medicine Scrutiny” at the public luncheon on 3 December, 2012 which was jam-packed with attendees from Emory College & Medical School faculty and staff and members of the Emory community.

The doctor gave a brief introduction of Tibetan medical tradition before presenting the main topic. He said that the healing system of Tibet is one of the most ancient medical systems in the world which originated more than three thousand years ago. It is considered as one of the five major fields of knowledge in Tibetan Culture. He mentioned that “A unique feature of this healing system is the holistic approach to health and its integration of Buddhism in its theory and practice”.

The talk on the whole emphasized on the firm belief that Tibetan medicine should be subjected to modern scientific examination and will withstand any testing because it has a great potential to benefit human beings.

The need for a holistic approach has been realized by more and

more people and hence Tibetan medical system has an essential role to play in the health of global community in the years to come. Dr. Tsewang Tamdin and Astrologer Mr. Jhampa Kalsang gave lectures and workshop series during their tour. 1) 36 Lectures and workshop on Tibetan medicine was given by

Dr. Tsewang Tamdin.2) 29 lectures and workshop on Tibetan Astrology was given by Mr. Jhampa Kalsang.There were around 836 participants who attended the lectures and workshop series. A total number of 564 people came to receive health consultation according to traditional Tibetan system of health care.

Media CoverageMedia coverage of the tour was remarkable. Interviews and public talk was published and aired on different news medium.

Kim Gregory a local news reporter in San Diego interviewed Dr. Tsewang Tamdin on Tibetan Medicine and Astrology and it was posted on 14 November, 2012 published as “Dalai Lama physician visits Ventura Hospital”.

CNN popular American news channel aired the Halle Luncheon public

talk by Dr. Tsewang Tamdin on 3 December, 2012 published as “Medical advise from the Dalai Lama’s Doctor”.

Men-Tsee-Khang would like to thank all the organizers who have worked tirelessly in making this two month outreach tour a success.

Men-Tsee-Khang 4