Mission
* to promote and practice gSowa rigpa, the Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology
* to provide accessible health care to people regardless of caste, color or creed
* to provide free or concessional (that is, subsidized) health care to the poor and needy, monks and nuns, all new arrivals from Tibet, and those over the age of sixty-five
* and to produce Tibetan medicines in an environmentally-sensitive manner

 

A Brief History of Men-Tsee-Khang
* 1916: H.H. the Thirteenth Dalai Lama establishes the original Men-Tsee-Khang in Lhasa, Tibet.
* 1959: China invades Tibet and Men-Tsee-Khang, Lhasa, closes temporarily. Many of its staff and students, as well as many village-based Tibetan physicians, are arrested and imprisoned. Most die in prison. In the ensuing years, Chinese authorities destroy many Tibetan medical scriptures, paintings and traditional medicines.
* March 23, 1961: H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama re-establishes Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamsala, India, as part of His Holiness's plan to preserve Tibetan culture while in exile. Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamsala, opens with just one doctor and one astrologer.
* December 1966: The first group of medical students graduates.
* December 1968: The first group of astrological students graduates.
* 1970: Its staff expands to seven doctors and six astrologers.
* 1980: Its staff expands to twenty-three doctors, seven astrologers and twenty-three support staff.
* 1980: The Research and Development Department is established to handle specialized clinical research.
* December 6-12, 1982: "Tibetan Medicine Week" is held in Delhi. The event includes lectures and exhibitions, the opening of a branch clinic in the Tibet House, Delhi, and the distribution of Rs 10,000 (Indian Rupees) worth of free medicines to the poor and needy.
* October 17-26, 1983: Men-Tsee-Khang holds its first introductory course on Tibetan medicine in Dharamsala.
* 1983: Through its fifteen branch clinics in India and Nepal Men-Tsee-Khang treats 67,427 patients and distributes Rs 115,877 (Indian Rupees) worth of free or concessional medicine to the poor and needy.
* 1984: Men-Tsee-Khang commemorates twenty-five years in exile with a display of photographs, medical ingredients, medical and astrological charts, and thangkas in the Tibet House, Delhi.
* 1984: Introductory lectures on Tibetan medicine, astronomy and astrology are held in Dharamsala. Four groups from Puerto Rico, East Germany, Italy and France attend the lectures.
* March 16-21, 1987: Men-Tsee-Khang holds its first Tibetan Medical Conference since arriving in India in 1961.
* April 4-12, 1988: An introductory course on Tibetan medicine and astrological science is held in Dharamsala.
* March-April 1990: With the help of Dr. Carol Popp from the USA, Men-Tsee-Khang introduces basic modern sciences to its medical curriculum.
* February, 1991:Men-Tsee-Khang signs a memorandum of agreement with the All Russia Center for Traditional Medicine to promote and develop Tibetan medicine in Russia.
* August 1994: Men-Tsee-Khang Exports is established in Delhi to sell and market the organization's various non-medicinal and general health products.
* May 1, 1995: The Documentation and Publication Department is established to handle the growing demand for publications on Tibetan medicine and astrology.
* August 16-26, 1995: Men-Tsee-Khang conducts a course on Tibetan Astrology in English. Eighteen people attend the course in Dharamsala.
* September 7-November 20, 1995: Men-Tsee-Khang conducts its first Exhibition of Tibetan Medicine, Astronomy and Astrology in Europe, visiting twelve cities in eight countries.
* November 24-December 4, 1995: Basic and advanced courses on Tibetan Medicine in English are conducted in Dharamsala. Forty-three people from twelve countries attend the course.
* March 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang and N.S.T.G. (the Dutch Foundation for Tibetan Medicine) begin a joint pilot study into the efficacy of Tibetan medicine in treating rheumatism.
* April 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang holds a two-day workshop in Dharamsala on the cultivation of medicinal plants. The workshop lays the foundations for the development of Men-Tsee-Khang's own Medicinal Plant Cultivation Farms.
* September 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang appoints its first overseas doctor to a clinic in Amsterdam, Holland.
* October 10, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang opens new branch clinic at Solokhumbu, Nepal.
* April 1998: To meet the increasing number of orders for herbal products, Men-Tsee-Khang constructs new building for Men-Tsee-Khang export, New Delhi.
* April 1998: With the request from people of Ladakh, Men-Tsee-Khang establishes a Cultural Center at Ladakh. The aim of this center is to develop and research on Tibetan Culture besides Tibetan Medicine and Astrology.
* July 1, 1998: Prior to the increasing number of orders of Herbal Products, Men-Tsee-Khang establishes a new Herbal Product Research department.
* August 10, 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang opens new clinic at Jespa, Himachal Pradesh, India.
* August 12, 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang opens a new clinic in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Summary of Recent Achievements of Men-Tsee-Khang
Treating the Sick
* Between April 1996-March 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang and its 37-branch clinic treated one Million patients.
* Since 1996 Men-Tsee-Khang has treated ten thousands of patients during its foreign tours, Exhibitions and major Seminars and Conferences.
* Between April 1996-March 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang treated 3967 patients through its mail consultation section.

Charity Work
For more details on charity work refer to "Charitable Activities in India and Nepal".
* Between April 96-March 1998 Men-Tsee-Khang provided Rs. 7.96 Millions (Indian Rupees) worth of free or concession (that is, subsidized) medicine to the poor and needy, monks and nuns, new arrivals from Tibet, and those over the age of sixty-five years.
* Since 1961, Men-Tsee-Khang financed the training of over 219 medical and astrological students.

Educating People about Tibetan Medicine, Astronomy and Astrology
For a full list of courses refer to "Courses on Tibetan Medicine, Astronomy and Astrology 1996-98" in Appendix.
* Since 1996 Men-Tsee-Khang has held nine courses on Tibetan Medicine and astrology in English. Overall, 210 people attended these courses.
* In eleven major foreign tours, Men-Tsee-Khang doctors have given lectures to thousands of people on Tibetan Medicine.
* Since 1996, Men-Tsee-Khang has conducted nine exhibitions on Tibetan Medicine, astronomy and astrology in different cities of Japan, USA, France, England and India.
* Since May 1995, Men-Tsee-Khang has published 19 medical and astrological text in Tibetan and 7 in English.
* Between April 1996-March 1998, Men-Tsee-Khang sold over 2,891 horoscopes, amulets, death charts, and marriage charts to people all around the World.

 

Organizational Structure
Summary of Departments and their Roles
* Administration: It oversees the work of various departments, including nearly 40 clinics, places staff and raise funds to further the activities of Men-Tsee-Khang.
* The College trains students in Tibetan medicine and Tibetan Astrology. Students complete either a five-year sMan-pa Kachupa Degree or Bachelor of Traditional Tibetan Medicine & Surgery, or a five-year rTsis-pa-Kachupa Degree or Bachelor of Traditional Tibetan Astronomy and Astrology.
* The Astrological Department produces a range of annual almanacs, calendars, amulets and horoscopes for individual clients in India and abroad.
* The Pharmaceutical Department produces more than 170 traditional Tibetan medicines.
* The Research Department conducts clinical and non-clinical research.
* The Materia Medica Department handles the research, documentation and cultivation of the ingredients used in Tibetan medicine.
* The Documentation and Publication Department co-ordinates the publication needs of Men-Tsee-Khang and the documentation of information on Tibetan medicine, astronomy and astrology.
* The Herbal Product Research Department handles the research and manufacture of general herbal health product.
* Men-Tsee-Khang Exports markets and co-ordinates Men-Tsee-Khang's various non-medicinal and general health products and publications.

The Museum
The Museum houses a varied and impressive collection of items relating to Tibetan medicine, astronomy and astrology. Its exhibits include the following items: many of the natural ingredients used in the manufacture of medicines, including salts, rocks, minerals, metals, fossils, coral shells, berries, nuts, seeds, pulses, roots, herbs, flowers, wood and bark; a variety of pills, including a collection of precious pills; and the tools and medical instruments used to manufacture medicines, including some of the equipment used to manufacture medicines in the early days of Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamsala.

Medical Thangkas on Display in the Museum
The Museum has on display the following sample of the Materia Medica Department's thirty-nine medical thangkas: the Medicinal Tree illustrating the allegorical and diagnosis trees; a thangka illustrating the nerves and how they interact with the body; a thangka illustrating the acupuncture and venesection points; a thangka illustrating the relationship between the bones and nerves; a thangka illustrating the body's internal organs and their locations in the body; a thangka illustrating the number of bones in the body; and seven other thangkas, painted by Dr. Dawa of the Materia Medica Department, illustrating the plants and herbs used in Tibetan medicine.

Astrological Items on Display in the Museum
Some of the following astrological items are on display in the Museum: a par kha text; an astrological text containing information about the almanac; the wheel of sa-bdag lto phye ("the begging for land"); sa-gshong (a traditional calcula-ting board) and lcags smyug (an iron-rod); a Tibetan thangka of protection; a thurma for measuring time; a mandala of the four elements representing the formation of the universe; the wheel for determining the ascendant sign at birth; a protective amulet; graphical charts (the aspects of the nine planets); the planetary paths; and a Tibetan almanac.

 

Staff Strength as on March 1, 1998

Male...........Female ........Total
Doctors 69 35 104
Astrologers 7 1 8
Administration 131 100 231
Total 207 136 343

 

Charitable Activities in India and Nepal
Charitable Education
As part of its charity work, Men-Tsee-Khang also provides free education for its medical and astrological students. In the Twelfth intake, which took place in 1997, Men-Tsee-Khang enrolled twenty-six students in the Medical College and Seven in the Astrological College.

Charitable Health Care
As a registered charity, it is Men-Tsee-Khang policy to provide free medicine to Tibetans over the age of sixty-five, to new Tibetan refugees for the first six months, and to poor or destitute Tibetans (the respective Settlement /Welfare Officer in the refugee settlement determines whether a Tibetan is poor or destitute.) Concessional medicine is provided to monks, nuns and students.

Men-Tsee-Khang Branch Clinic Data for 1997-98
From the start of the year April 1, 1997 - March 31,1998 Men-Tsee-Khang provided Rs 5.17 million worth of free or concessional medicine, and treated over 561,687 people at its branch clinics. Ninety percent of those treated were Indian, and a further ten percent were either Tibetan or foreigners.

State Clinic Location Patients Free/Conc. Medicine (Rs)

Arunachal Tezu 4,064 65,709.65
Miao 3,017 104,113.69
Tenzingang 3,545 59,855.18

Delhi Nizamuddin 94,540 79,077.25
Majnu-ka-tilla 17,758 122,794.75

Himachal Gangkyi (Dsala) 21,053 337,307.90
Mcleod (Dsala) 42,111 484,043.49
Bir 8,626 190,371.03
Manali 8,080 136,580.10
Paonta Sahib 3,408 121,002.95
Dalhousie 1,523 28,949.59
Shimla 9,793 107,381.81

Jammu and Choglamsar,
Kashmir Ladakh 11,199 175,736.84

Karnataka Bangalore 35.116 33,875.90
Bylakuppe 35,822 802,475.00
Hunsur 8,280 230,398.30
Mundgod 83,676 543,791.30
Kollegal 18,539 276,302.35

Madya Pradesh Mainpat 2,509 51,570.00

Maharashtra Bhandara 11,776 120,295.09

Meghalaya Shillong 5,927 52,137.99

Nepal Chabahil,
Kathmandu 18,754 257,299.74
Chetrapati,
Kathmandu 5,704 24,569.39
Tashi Palkhiel,
Pokhara 5,622 62,873.09
Jampaling,
Pokhara 2,468 23,344.70

Orissa Bhubaneshwar 2,235 9,453.20
Phuntsokling 4,842 88,641.90

Sikkim Gangtok 6,755 51,087.20
Rawangla 1409 30,152.95

Uttar Pradesh Rajpur 7,287 .....................84,777.15
Dekyiling 13,325 128,092.50
Dang-lob 1,473 5,112.07

West Bengal Darjeeling 6,954 90,131.85
Kalimpong 4,430 78,472.05
Salugara 36,649 91,413.90
Jaigaon 955 7,959.85
Calcutta 12,463 22,579.46
Total 561,687 5,179,731.16

 

Legal Status
Men-Tsee-Khang is a charitable, cultural and educational institution of H.H. the Dalai Lama, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (No. 1290/79). It has exemption u.s. 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 (No.CIT/PTA/1 & 93-94/80-G/1813). It is registered u.s. 12-A(a) of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961 (No. Judl/Reg. Cr/81-82/IS-T/35087/213). Its permanent Account Number for Income Tax is 28-510-A2-0011/Ward-10-Palampur. Its income tax number is 010213, Palampur (30/03/91).

Environmental Policy
Although traditional Tibetan medical texts mention the use of animal products in Tibetan medicine, Men-Tsee-Khang uses plant-based alternatives.

Governance of Men-Tsee-Khang
Men-Tsee-Khang operates under the governance of the Governing body, and the Department of Health of the Central Tibetan Administration (C.T.A.).

Members of the Governing Body
1. Mrs. Samkhar Yangkyi
(Minister, Department of Health) Chairperson
2. Dr. Tenzin Choedrak
(Senior Personal Physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama)
3. Dr. Lobsang Wangyal
(Personal Physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama)
4. Dr. Tseten D. Sadutshang
(Personal Physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama)
5. Dr. Lhawang la
(Director, Herbal Product Research Department)
6. Mr. Tsering Dorjee
(Secretary, Department of Health)
7. Mr. Lobsang Khedup
(Secretary, Department of Religion & Culture)
8. Mr. Tsering Wangyal
(Secretary, Department of Home)
9. Mr. Ngodup Tsering
(Secretary, Department of Education)
10. Mr. Lobsang Norbu
(General Secretary, Men-Tsee-Khang)
11. Mr. Pema Dadhul Arya Member Secretary
(Director, Men-Tsee-Khang)

Mail Consultation
Men-Tsee-Khang's Mail Consultation allows patients from anywhere in the world, including those countries already being serviced by Men-Tsee-Khang branch clinics, to access senior physicians at Men-Tsee-Khang. Patients are required to write a short personal introduction, a detailed case history of their condition or disease, and signs and symptoms of their condition or disease. Each case is reviewed individually by a senior Men-Tsee-Khang physician. Medicines are prescribed accordingly and mailed by V.P.P. to patients living inside India or by registered post to patients living outside India.

General Health Products
The Pharmaceutical, Astrological, Materia Medica, and Herbal Product Research departments develop non-medical and general health products relating to Tibetan medical and astrological traditions. Each new product is thoroughly researched, blending modern methods with ancient Tibetan traditions and natural ingredients. Tibetan and non-Tibetan scholars are consulted during this process to assess the quality of natural ingredients and to ensure maximum consumer safety. The following range of Men-Tsee-Khang's General Health Products is available through Men-Tsee-Khang Exports:
Sorig Herbal Tea, Sorig Herbal Hair Oil, Sorig Beauty Cream, Sorig Ointment, Sorig anti-wrinkle cream, sorig massage oil, Sorig Spice, Sorig health tonic, Sorig Incense and Sorig Healing Incense.

 

Men-Tsee-Khang Publication

Men-Tsee-Khang Quarterly Newsletter
It is a quarterly report of the main offices and branch clinics located in India and abroad. Four times a year (January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December) Men-Tsee-Khang publishes its newsletter which it mails to all its members, Tibet Support Groups, Dharma Centers, Men-Tsee-Khang clinics, Study Groups, Tibetan organizations (like the Tibetan Women's Association and the Tibetan Youth Congress), Offices of Tibet, Central Tibetan Administration Offices, Settlement and Welfare Officers, and schools. The newsletter includes information about upcoming major events at Men-Tsee-Khang, tours being conducted by Men-Tsee-Khang doctors, astrologers and the Director, news from the College of Tibetan Medicine, Astronomy and Astrology (for example, examination results, field trips and foreign study tours), work being done by volunteers at Men-Tsee-Khang, a list of Men-Tsee-Khang Export products, a list of major donations, special activities, interviews, articles on both Traditional Tibetan medicine & astrology, and a membership application form.

Medical and Astrological Journal - sMan-rTsis
sMan-rtsis is a medical and astrological journal published on an occasional basis by Men-Tsee-Khang. The journal is dedicated to the study of Tibetan medicine and astrological sciences, and includes copies of lectures, articles and research papers of interest to scientists, researchers and students of Tibetan medicine and astrology. sMan rTsis welcomes the submission of articles and research papers written in English.

Student Publication - Gang-ri-lang-tso
The aim of gang-ri-lang-tso, which is written entirely by students at the College, is to develop the confidence of students in writing about issues important to Tibetan culture. The publication contains articles on Tibetan medicine, astronomy, astrology and poetry, and on comparisons between Tibetan and Western medicine, and Tibetan and Western astrology. gang-ri-lang-tso is published annually in both Tibetan and English.

 

 

 

Medical and Astrological Exhibitions 1996-98
May 6-June 1, 1996: Dr Lobsang Wangyal the Personal Physicians to H.H. the Dalai Lama, Dr Dawa, Dr Lobsang Tsultrim and Astrologer Mrs. Tsering Choezom tour six cities of Japan.
31 June-3 July 1996: During the Kalachakra initiation in North India, Tabo, Men-Tsee-Khang holds Exhibition & Consultation and provided free medication.
Oct 3-5, 1996: Dr Kunga Gyurme (present personal physician) and team visit Shimla for Exhibition & Consultation and marketed sorig herbal products.
Nov 5-Dec 5, 1996: Dr Kunga Gyurme and team visits Bombay for medical Exhibition, Consultation and Lecture.
Dec 10-19, 1996: Dr Dawa Dolma visits New Delhi for medical Exhibition, Consultation and Lecture.
Jan 22-April 11, 1997: Dr Tenzin Choedrak (senior personal physicians to H.H. the Dalai Lama), Dr Dawa, Dr Tenzin Dakpa (translator), Astrologer Mrs. Tsering Choezom and Mrs. Ngawang Lhamo (college secretary) visit eight cities in the USA.
Nov 14-Dec 31, 1997: Dr Dachoe & Astrologer Mrs. Tsering Choezom visit France, Spain & England for Exhibition, Consultation and Lecture.
Dec 12-14, 1997: Dr Rishing Tenzin Dakpa, Mrs. Chonyi Youden & Lobsang Yeshi visit New Delhi for medical Exhibition and Consultation.
May 3-June 3, 1998: Dr Namgyal Tsering, Dr Namgyal Qusar & Dr Tsering Lhamo visit Helsinki, Finland for medical Exhibition.

Major Seminars and Conferences 1996-98
June 1-3, 1996: Dr Namgyal Qusar participates in a seminar on writer & editor organized by ITTM -- AABC at Kalimping, West Bengal, India.
Sept 14-18, 1996: Late Astrologer Professor Dakton Jampa Gyaltsen with Phurbu Tsering & Tsering Dolma attend All Indian Astrology Conference for Non-Residential Indian, organized by Bharat Nirman.
Nov 5-7, 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang and Yuthok institute of Italy organized east-west seminar on Tibetan medicine in Dharamshala.
March 26-28, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang organized First National Conference of Tibetan Astronomy and Astrology, Dharamshala.
March 6-8, 1998: Dr Namgyal Qusar attends a Healing Conference in Berlin, Germany.
March 26-28, 1998: Second National Conference of Tibetan Astrology and Astronomy organized by Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamshala.
June 28-July 3, 1998: Dr Neshar Dorjee Rapten attends 12th World Congress on AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland.
Nov 7-9, 1998: Dr Tenzin Choedrak, Dr Dawa, Dr Tenzin Dakpa (translator) attends International Congress on Tibetan Medicine, Washington DC, USA.

Medical Tours 1996-98
April 8-May 4, 1996: Dr Tenzin Choedrak, the Senior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama visits California, Utah and Minnesota in USA for medical tour.
May 29-July 4, 1996: Dr Tenzin Deche visits Holland for medical tour.
August 17-Oct 4, 1996: Dr Lobsang Wangyal, the Junior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama, and Dr Thokmey Paljor (translator) visit Norway & Switzerland for medical tour.
Oct 15-31, 1996: Dr Tenzin Choedrak, the senior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama visits France to give medical Consultation.
Dec 1, 1996-March 24, 1997: A team of Manali branch clinic visits Bodhgaya for medical Consultation.
May 14-June 9, 1997: Dr Lobsang Wangyal, the Junior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama and Dr Tenzin Lhadon (translator) visits Switzerland for medical consultation.
Sept 1-Oct 16, 1997: Dr Lobsang Tsultrim visits Holland for medical consultation.
Sept 2-25, 1997: Dr Lobsang Wangyal, the Junior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama & Dr Tsering Lhamo (translator) visits Wisconsin and Minnesota, USA for medical consultation.
Dec 1 1997-March 2, 1998: A team of Manali branch clinic visits Bodhgaya for medical Consultation.
March 30-July 11, 1998: Dr Lobsang Wangyal and translator Dr Sonam Dolma & Mrs. Dhadon (Delhi Coordinator) visits Seven Countries of Europe for medical Consultation.
Aug-Oct, 1998: Dr Passang Wangdue visits Jhang-thang (steppe) for medical tour for three months.
Aug 10-Dec 25, 1998: Dr Tezin Choedrak, the Senior personal physician to H.H. the Dalai Lama and Dr Tenzin Dakpa (translator) visit France, Canada and USA for medical consultation.
Sept 5 - Dec 18, 1998: Dr Pema Dorjee Visit Norway, England, Spain, and Germany for medical consultation.

Courses on Tibetan Medicine and Astronomy & Astrology 1996-98
Sep 17-21, 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang organizes five-day basic course on Tibetan medicine in English at Dharamshala.
Sept 25-Oct 5, 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang organizes ten-day advanced course on Tibetan medicine in English at Dharamshala.
Oct 7-17, 1996: Men-Tsee-Khang organizes ten-day course on Tibetan Astronomy & Astrology in English at Dharamshala.
April 1-11, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang holds medical course for the students of Tibetan medicine from Germany, Strasbourg & France.
Sept 3-13, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang holds ten-day medical course for the students of Do-ngag-choe-ling monastery, Swiss, in Dharamshala.
Oct 7-17, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang holds a ten-day course on Tibetan Astronomy & Astrology in English at Dharamshala.
Oct 18-22, 1997: Men-Tsee-Khang holds five-day basic course on Tibetan medicine in English at Dharamshala.
Sept 24-28, 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang organizes five-day basic course on Tibetan medicine in English at Dharamshala.
Oct 1-12, 1998: Men-Tsee-Khang organizes ten-day advanced course on Tibetan medicine in English at Dharamshala.

Appeal

The history and the importance of Traditional Tibetan Medicine & Astrology with special reference to the accomplishment of Men-Tsee-Khang -- its present status and compilation of ongoing works are highlighted in this Information Guide book on Men-Tsee-Khang for the interest of general public.

Aims and objectives of Men-Tsee-Khang is to render services to all the suffering beings on this Earth through Traditional Tibetan medicine & Astrology whilst comparing & exchanging knowledges between ancient & modern systems of medicine & astrology practices to cure many new diseases and to contribute independently towards promotion of Tibetan Culture and independence. We appeal for continuous support and solidarity from all the Tibet Support Groups, and particularly to those who take keen interest in Tibetan culture for their support and help in making Men-Tsee-Khang realise its goal.

 

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