First International Conference on Tibetan Medicine

In 1983 Namkhai Norbu, then professor of Tibetan language and culture at the Istituto Orientale at

the University of Napoli, managed to organize, with the help of a handful of students, the first

international conference of Tibetan medicine in the West, by gathering the principal experts of

Tibetan medicine as well as some among the most important European representative. Venice and

Arcidosso were the locations for this conference that took places over two weeks’ time. The

materials gathered in this book contain the proceedings from this special event.

Contents:

1. Inaugural Speech: Opening speech by local authorities

2. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Introduction to Tibetan medicine

3. Doctor Tsarong Jigme Tsewang: Fundamental Principles of Tibetan medicine

4. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: History of Tibetan medicine. Medicine and Dharma

5. Doctor Lobsang Drolma: Obstetrics and gynecology in Tibetan medicine

6. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Pulse Diagnosis, Part I

7. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Pulse Diagnosis, Part II, and Other Diagnostic Methods

8. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Dealing with Incurable Illnesses

9. Doctor Lobsang Drolma: Delivery and Post-natal Care

10. Doctor Tenzin Chödrak: Astrology and Medicine

11. Doctor Tsarong Jigme: Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

12. Professor Barrie Simmons: Psychotherapy, Self-acceptance, and Tibetan Medicine

13. Professor Rakra Tethong Rinpoche: The Education of Tibetan Children in Switzerland

14. Doctor Tashi Tazan: The Tibetan Youth Association in Europe

15. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Medicine and Yantra Yoga

16. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Mental Illness

17. Doctor Tenzin Chödrak: The Nature of Mind

18. Doctor Lobsang Drolma: The Nature of Mind

19. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Man, Medicine, and Society

List of Invited Speakers:

Doctor Jampa Thinley, Director of the Lhasa Institute of Tibetan Medicine

Doctor Troru Tsenam, Director of Studies and Scientific Research in Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa

Doctor Tsarong Jigme Tsewang, Director of the Institute of Tibetan Medicine in Dharamsala

Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche, Sikkim’s most famous Tibetan doctor

Doctor Sangyey Tenzin, Tibetan medical doctor in the Bön tradition

Doctor Ama Lobsang, Tibetan medical doctor in Dharamsala

Doctor Tenzin Chödrak, doctor for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala

Professor Namkhai Norbu, faculty member in the Istituto Universitario Orientale di Napoli

Chapters

Introduction: Gino Vitiello 15 Preface 19 PRESENTATIONS IN VENICE Tuesday, April 26, 1983 1. Inaugural Speech: Opening speech by local authorities 29 2. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Introduction to Tibetan medicine 40 3. Doctor Tsarong Jigme Tsewang: Fundamental Principles of Tibetan medicine 54 4. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: History of Tibetan medicine. Medicine and Dharma 70 Wednesday, April 27, 1983 Moderator: Doctor Tsarong Jigme Tsewang 5 Doctor Lobsang Drolma: Obstetrics and gynecology in Tibetan medicine 78 6. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Pulse Diagnosis, Part I 84 7. Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Pulse Diagnosis, Part II, and Other Diagnostic Methods 8. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Dealing with Incurable Illnesses 104 Thursday, April 28, 1983 Moderator: Doctor Fernand Meyer 9. Doctor Lobsang Drolma: Delivery and Post-natal Care 118 10. Doctor Tenzin Chödrak: Astrology and Medicine 128 11. Doctor Tsarong Jigme: Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics 139 Friday, April 29, 1983 Moderator: Barrie Simmons 12. Professor Barrie Simmons: Psychotherapy, Self-acceptance, and Tibetan Medicine 146 13. Professor Rakra Tethong Rinpoche: The Education of Tibetan Children in Switzerland 156 14. Doctor Tashi Tazan: The Tibetan Youth Association in Europe 164 15. Professor Namkhai Norbu: Medicine and Yantra Yoga 168 Saturday, April 30, 1983, morning session First Round Table 181 Professor Monaco, Professor Donato, Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche, Doctor Lobsang Drolma, Doctor Tenzin Chödrak, Doctor Luigi Vitiello Saturday, April 30, 1983, afternoon session Moderator: Professor Barrie Simmons Second Round Table 201 Professor Namkhai Norbu, Doctor Tenzin Chödrak, Doctor Carlos Ramos PRESENTATIONS IN ARCIDOSSO 213 Monday, May 2, 1983 Inauguration: Opening speeches by local authorities 217 Wednesday, May 4, 1983 Doctor Trogawa Rinpoche: Mental Illness 227 Thursday, May 5, 1983 Doctor Tenzin Chödrak: The Nature of Mind 231 Friday, May 6, 1983 Doctor Lobsang Drolma: The Nature of Mind 233 Saturday, May 6, 1983 Professor Namkhai Norbu: Man, Medicine, and Society 235 List of Invited Speakers 245