Sowa Rigpa - Traditional tibetan Medicine

An ancient holistic system of healing that perceives the human body as a complex

The Himalayan science of healing known as Sowa Rigpa (short 'Sorig') is a traditional medical system with its roots dating back more than 2000 years. Preserved in its authenticity integrally until today’s date through the pure lineage of transmission it utilizes pulse and urine analysis, behavior and diet modification, natural medicines made from herbs and minerals, and External Therapies to treat illness.

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Traditionally Sowa Rigpa was presented in Tibet within the context of an interdisciplinary study containing the Five Major Sciences (Philosophy, Logic, Sanskrit, Medicine, and Arts & Crafts) and the Five Minor Sciences (Synonymics, Mathematics & Astrology, Drama, Poetry, and Composition). Historically as well as scientifically an interdependent relationship has developed especially between the fields of Spirituality, Medicine, and Astrology.

This twofold meaning is connected to the Himalayan medicine’s aim of realizing both relative and absolute balance.

The Sorig education programs offered by SKẎ mirror the interdisciplinary approach by being open to interested students of all cultures, traditions, or religions. As one of Asia’s three great healing systems, Sowa Rigpa approaches suffering and disease holistically, whilst being compatible with any other eastern or western medical traditions.

In the Buddhist cosmology everything consists of the Five Elements: space, wind, fire, water and earth. They represent emptiness, motion, speed, liquid and solidity - similar to the characteristics of modern physic’s atoms. According to TTM the Five Elements also express themselves in our body, e.g. each hand has five fingers, and we have five sense organs.

The Five elements can be simplified into three principles which are called nye pa (faults):

• Lung literally means ‘motion’ and is usually translated as wind. It has the nature of movement and boosts hot or cold energy.

• Tripa literally means ‘burning’, it is translated as bile, it is speedy in nature and is a hot energy.

• Beken translates into phlegm, literal meaning is ‘dew and earth’. It is liquid and solid, a cold energy.

Lung, tripa and beken form the bridge between body and mind. Therefor rebalancing energy will affect both body and mind. Targeting the bridge is also the fastest and most effective way to heal the entirety of a human.​

Through the law of cause and effect the elements and energies of our environment and within our body are inseparable from each other. It is called tendrel - interdependent connectivity. This is why it is important in TTM to work with both human and nature.

In accordance to the connection between nature and Tibetan medicine the Four Tantras summarize a physician’s daily work as the Three Roots. This analogy also indicates the importance of the medical profession’s foundation. Students of Tibetan medicine learn and internalize them still today.

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Root of Health and Diseases

This part covers basic theory, such as balance of energy, body and mind (‘health’), imbalance of energy (‘disease’). Theoretical knowledge about anatomy, physiology and pathology is its foundation.

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Root of Diagnosis

In here the main diagnostic tools are introduced:

• Inspection includes evaluating the form and contour of the patient’s body as well as the patient’s complexion; critical observation of the sense organs, in particular the

characteristics of the tongue; and detailed inspection of the urine, which is considered to be the most important factor in diagnosis.

• Palpation in TTM, the art of palpation (touching) comprises various fields, the main two being pulse reading and point checking.

• Case history is the process of collecting information: how to question and listen to the patient in order to identify signs and symptoms; knowing about diet and behavior in order to understand what the possible causes of the disturbance or illness may be.

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Root of Treatment

There are four main methods of treatment in Tibetan medicine, namely:​

1. Diet

2. Lifestyle

3. Medicine

4. External Therapies

Tibetan medicine offers unique features not found in any other healing tradition or modern medicine. Among these are the remarkable diagnostic methods of pulse reading and urine analysis, a vast materia medica including thousands of plants, minerals, animal products etc. used for medical treatment, and a sophisticated system of external therapies.

Pulse diagnosis includes more than ten basic divisions of pulses, each based on different aspects such as time, seasons, typology, elements, energies, spirits and more. Each type of pulse may have various characteristics of up to hundred if not thousands - a complete diagnostic tool in your hands.

Herbal medicine has always been fascinating to humankind - the cure could be right in your front garden! Tibetan medicine uses what nature offers:

• Precious metals & gemstones

• Minerals & earth

• Plants & herbs

• Animal products

The famous Ku Nye Massage is one of the additional external therapies. It can be applied in almost all cases with preventive, curative or symptomatic intention. Therapists use different oils and various materials such as stones, gems, shells, conches, wood, metals depending on typology and disorder.

Tibetan acupuncture is one of the highest yet unknown healing arts of TTM. In the Four Tantras described as invasive and supreme amongst the external therapies it is the most effective therapy. The variety and complexity of the points, applications and indications are comparable to the art of Chinese acupuncture.

Moxibustion or moxa is commonly used to treat cold natured disorders. It proves to be an effective means against rheumatic diseases and different types of pain. A modified version known as hor me (Mongolian moxa) is said to be used on Genghis Khan every day - insinuating the secret of his accomplishments.