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Research by Region
Tibet
A brief history of Tibetan Medicine
Introduction
The early medical history of the Tibetan "Science
of Healing", known in Tibetan as Sowa Rigpa (gSo ba rig pa)
or briefly Sorig, can be discussed along the two phases of the
introduction of Buddhism to Tibet. During the Tibetan empire (634-842AD)
and the early propagation of Buddhism (sNga dar) medical influences
were of Greek, Chinese and Indian origin filtered into Tibet,
while during the later propagation (Phyi dar), from the mid 10th
to the 12th century AD, influences on the further development
of Sorig appeared to be largely of Indian origin. Early influences,
especially Indian and Chinese, are confirmed by documents of the
7th-9th centuries discovered in the caves of Dunhuang (Meyer 1992:
3). Equally, early Bon medical traditions have to be considered.
When dealing with Tibetan historical sources,
one has to be aware that they are often intermingled with myths
and legends and were sometimes compiled many centuries after the
events to which they refer. Consequently, earlier historical figures
were attributed retrospectively with characteristics important
to later centuries' developments. Especially, in the study of
medieval Tibet, till the mid-ninth century and in many instances
even in later ages, history cannot be distinguished from legend
(Kapstein 2000: 23).
With regard to the historicity of Tibetan medicine,
Beckwith (1979: 309) argued that the eventual obscuration of the
actual origins of the imperial period is probably due to the long
subsequent reign of Indian medicine over earlier schools. Still,
his research has demonstrated that the early Greek humoral system
shaped the formation of humoral concepts in Tibet along with Chinese
and Indian influences.
Text supplied by Barbara
Gerke
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