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Tibetan medicines: Concern over commercialisation
by Hemant Chauhan

          Dharamsala: The Tibetans are apprehensive over the future of traditional therapies which they say are in danger as there is increasing commercialisation. At the Second International Conference of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine in Dharamsala (CCTM) recently, Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche urged doctors to be more compassionate towards their patients. "Commercialisation is the greatest threat to the preservation of tradition. I have told them that they should serve the people by having a compassionate mind towards those individuals who are fighting against disease. And, they should not become commercialised medical professionals," said Samdhong Rinpoche. The five-day conference, which concludes this weekend, is being attended by about 80 Tibetan doctors from India, Nepal, Bhutan and other parts of the world. Thirty 30 observers (medical students) participated in the conference to learn about the Tibetan traditional medical system. The first conference was held in January 2004. The Medical and Astro Institute (TMAI), Dharamsala, Chagpori Medical Institute, Varanasi Medical Institute and Ladhak Medical Institute are the four Tibetan medical centres registered under the Council.
- January 7, 2007