Prominent Tibetan Medical Scholar Makes Rare Visit to United States

[Guest guest]

Shang Shung Institute

International Institute for Tibetan Studies

 

The Shang Shung Institute is happy to present a very special occasion:

 

 

 

 

 

A free public lecture and weekend workshop at Amherst College with Dr.

Lhusham Gyal, a prominent Tibetan Scholar visiting from the Tibetan Medical

College of Qinghai University in Tibet. Dr. Lusham Gyal is currently Dean

and Associate Professor of the Qinghai University's Tibetan Medical College.

His visit to Western Massachusetts is a rare window of opportunity for all

levels of interest to learn practical Tibetan Medical knowledge from a

highly skilled scholar of Tibetan Medicine.

 

Free Public Lecture:

Thursday, December 4th, 4 - 6 pm

Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science Building, Amherst College

 

 

 

Transporting the Elixir: A Look at Tibetan Medicine Inside Tibet

 

Tibetan Medicine is one of the most ancient practices of healing known to

humanity, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Until quite recently this ancient

wisdom was practiced throughout Tibet virtually unchanged, its knowledge

handed down through generations of lay and monastic doctors. Today, carried

by the Tibetan diaspora, practices of this ancient healing wisdom are being

offered in the West as an alternative to mainstream medical practices.

 

As a result, Westerners have begun to adopt it as a complementary medicine,

but how is Tibetan Medicine practiced in its native homeland today,

especially given China's economic development over the past 30 years? What

are the strengths and cultural constraints that could influence this

practice's effectiveness?

 

This talk is co-sponsored by the department of Asian Languages &

Civilizations, Amherst College, and the Shang Shung Institute.

 

Weekend Workshop:

Friday, December 5th, 4 - 6pm

Saturday and Sunday, December 6th - 7th, 9:30am - 12:30pm & 2 - 5pm

Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science Building, Amherst College

Cost: $110 for whole weekend / $60 per day for Saturday or Sunday, includes

Friday (20% discount for students)

 

Foods and Gems: Tibet's Wealth of Practical Prevention for Modern Daily Life

 

In this workshop Dr. Lusham Gyal will present the healing properties of

common foods and gems as taught in Tibetan Medicine. Emphasis will be put on

how to use both foods and gems in simple everyday ways to protect and

balance the health. Friday will be an introduction to the workshop; on

Saturday we will focus on nutrition and on Sunday on precious gemstones and

metals.

 

Saturday, December 6th:

 

In Tibetan Medicine diet is considered the foundation for both maintaining

health and treating imbalances. It is understood that each individual food

has a differing level of the five elements. Every type of grain, meat, dairy

product, vegetable and fruit can be analyzed individually based on its

specific composition of the five elements and how it will effect the five

elements of the human body. With this knowledge, the relationship of these

two can be brought to a perfect balance. The result is a properly

functioning digestive system, the ultimate means of a long and healthy life.

This topic will provide essential information on what foods to eat based on

ones individual condition and the season.

 

Sunday, December 7th:

 

Likewise, Gems are one of the eight medicinal substances in Tibetan

Medicine. In Tibetan culture jewelry is very important. In part, jewelry

is worn to decorate and beautify. It is also used to display social status.

However, the origins for wearing gems comes from its application in

medicine. Traditionally gems were worn on specific points to help restore

the health, for preventative measures, and to protect against negativities.

This topic will offer simple ways to use jewelry and gems in everday life

based on ones individual health needs.

 

For more information or to register for the workshop, please call (413) 369

- 4928 or visit: www.shangshung.org <http://www.shangshung.org/>

For a map of the college please visit: www.amherst.edu/map/index.html