The Traditional Tibetan medical system is composed of a vast indigenous healing knowledge and practices offering a holistic treatment aimed at regulating and maintaining the balance of the functional principles of the mind and body. These principles are related to the characteristics of the cosmic elemental energies and as such any disturbances in the environment directly or indirectly affect the health of a person. The long history it enjoys, the sound foundations on which it is established and the increasing popularity it has earned are clear indications that Tibetan Medicine is relevant and important in the modern world. These valuable medical treasures are found in the highly esteemed “Gyueshhi”(Four Tantras), a complete and profound multi-faceted fundamental text of Tibetan Medicine, encompassing the unabridged theories and practices of Tibetan Medicine. It is the creation of ancient eminent scholars of Tibet by means of practice, invention and development through their intellectual wisdom. Based on the practical experience of the ancient medical knowledge of Tibetans that relates to their unique culture, its custom and environment, the legendary Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, father of Tibetan Medicine, composed Gyueshhi by incorporating the essence of the then known Asian medical systems including Ayurveda, Chinese and Greek medicine; making it one of the oldest, most comprehensive and reliable medical systems in the world. Tibetan Medicine is one of the oldest surviving medical systems with an enormous herbal pharmacopoeia, complex and systematic manufacturing processes and a complete system of diagnosis and treatment. The most essential principles of Tibetan Medicine are harmony and balance, establishing it with an inspiring relevance to the health problems of the modern world and in the prevention of various psycho-physical disorders. The teaching and practice of Tibetan Medicine is mainly concentrated in Tibet, however, the entire belt of the Himalayan region, India, Mongolia, Kalmykia, Buryatia and a few countries in the West also shared the practices of Tibetan Medicine.

PREFACE The traditional Tibetan medical system is composed of vast indigenous healing knowledge and practices, and offers holistic treatment aimed at regulating and maintaining the balance of the functional principles of the mind and body. These principles are related to the characteristics of the elemental cosmic energies and as such, it is understood that any disturbances in the environment can directly or indirectly affect the health of a person. The long history it enjoys, the sound foundations on which it is established, and the increasing popularity it has earned are clear indications that Tibetan Medicine is relevant and important even in the modern world. This valuable medical treasure is found in the highly esteemed Gyueshhi (Four Tantras), a complete and profound multi-faceted text, encompassing the unabridged theories and practices of Tibetan Medicine. It is the creation of eminent ancient scholars of Tibet and was achieved by practice, invention, and development through their intellectual wisdom. Based on practical experience with the ancient medical knowledge of the Tibetans, which relates to their unique culture, customs, and environment, the legendary Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, Father of Tibetan Medicine, composed the Gyueshhi by incorporating the essence of the then known Asian medical systems, such as Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Greek medicine, making it one of the oldest, most comprehensive and reliable medical systems in the world. Tibetan Medicine offers a complete system of diagnostic and treatment methods based on an enormous herbal pharmacopoeia produced by complex and systematic manufacturing processes. The essential principles of Tibetan Medicine are harmony and balance, which lends it an inspiring relevance to the health problems of the modern world, including the prevention of various psychosomatic disorders. The teaching and practice of Tibetan Medicine is mainly concentrated in Tibet; however, the entire belt of the Himalayan region, India, Mongolia, Kalmykia, and Buryatia, as well as a few Western countries also share in the practice of Tibetan Medicine. Due to the growing popularity of Tibetan Medicine worldwide, the increasing number of people interested in this discipline, and in line with the enduring wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the time has come to pass on this precise knowledge and instruction. Our goal is to share Tibetan medical knowledge and its practices by making it available particularly to non-Tibetans, and for it to be widely used by English-speaking medical practitioners, scientists, and researchers who have a commitment to providing quality health care to all human beings. Hence, overcoming the narrow attitudes of seclusion and secrecy, Men-Tsee-Khang started a translation project to make an authentic interpretation of the original Tibetan medical knowledge available to interested people everywhere, so that new thoughts and methods can be introduced into daily practice and provide greater benefits for the peoples of the world.

PREFACE The Tibetan medical system, more popularly known as Sowa Rigpa (Knowledge of Healing), is undoubtedly as old as Tibetan civilization itself. The earliest inhabitants of Tibet were confronted with a host of difficulties due to the way they had to live during those ancient times. The only means of sustenance and survival was to rely on the various natural resources around them. These early people gradually learned the uses and medical efficacy of natural resources. The inherent discernment of these early people led them to discover natural remedies for various healthrelated problems. Their innate urge to overcome physical discomfort, combined with their curiosity about the world around them, made them create some effective natural remedies for many common illnesses. Drinking and sprinkling cold water against fever, compressing cold stone on an inflamed swelling, using heated oil to stop bleeding, drinking hot water for indigestion, eating boiled foods rather than eating them raw - these insights1 and many others have proven their effectiveness and have continued to be of use even to this day. The development of the Tibetan science of healing is based on the wisdom of such ancient medical practices. The application of a medical remedy against poisoning2 as pronounced by Tsiblha Karma Yolde to the first king of Tibet Nyatri Tsenpo (circa 300 B.C.) clearly demonstrates that the early inhabitants of Tibet had knowledge of the therapeutic value of herbs and minerals even during that time. Medical knowledge continued to be passed on by means of various oral traditions and has kept alive the knowledge of numerous remedies over many centuries. Before Buddhism and the present Tibetan script were introduced to Tibet, the Bon religious and cultural traditions flourished in the region of Shang Shung in southwestern Tibet. The legendary Bon master and cultural founder Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche was born in Purang, Tibet, at the time of the Lord Buddha. The Bon master authored many important medical literatures such as Sojay Kyi Do Ghu, Sorig Chegyud Daser, Sojay Nadbum Nagpo3, Sojay Manbum Karp4, Sothab Chedbum Trawo5, and Tsawa Thukbum Khangon6 and he established the foundation for the development of the Bon medical tradition. His eldest son, Chebu Trishey, learned the art of medicine from his father and later became a very important figure in the development of the Bon medical system. At that time, Bon religion and culture were at their height and shamanistic ways of healing were very popular throughout Tibet. They undoubtedly influenced the existing Tibetan medical knowledge and practices. The Gyueshi (Four Tantras) which is the fundamental text of Tibetan medicine, contains mantras and the names of some medicinal substances, compounds, and diseases in the original Bon language. This is a clear indication of the influence of Bon on Tibetan medicine. We can therefore assume that there was knowledge and practices of medicine before the reign of King Lha Thothori Nyentsen and before the introduction of the present Tibetan script during the 7th century.

Bodies in Balance: The Art of Tibetan Medicine is the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the triangular relationship among the Tibetan art and science of healing (Sowa Rigpa), Buddhism, and arts and crafts. Generously illustrated with more than 200 images, Bodies in Balance includes essays on contemporary practice, pharmacology and compounding medicines, astrology and divination, history and foundational treatises. The volume brings to life the theory and practice of this ancient healing art. 2015 Best Art Book Accolade, ICAS Book Prize in the Humanities Category Bodies in Balance: The Art of Tibetan Medicine is the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the triangular relationship among the Tibetan art and science of healing (Sowa Rigpa), Buddhism, and arts and crafts. This book is dedicated to the history, theory, and practice of Tibetan medicine, a unique and complex system of understanding body and mind, treating illness, and fostering health and well-being. Sowa Rigpa has been influenced by Chinese, Indian, and Greco-Arab medical traditions but is distinct from them. Developed within the context of Buddhism, Tibetan medicine was adapted over centuries to different health needs and climates across the region encompassing the Tibetan Plateau, the Himalayas, and Mongolia. Its focus on a holistic approach to health has influenced Western medical thinking about the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of illness. Generously illustrated with more than 200 images, Bodies in Balance includes essays on contemporary practice, pharmacology and compounding medicines, astrology and divination, history and foundational treatises. The volume brings to life the theory and practice of this ancient healing art.

From its earliest days, Buddhism has been closely intertwined with medicine. Buddhism and Medicine is a singular collection showcasing the generative relationship and mutual influence between these fields across premodern Asia. The anthology combines dozens of English-language translations of premodern Buddhist texts with contextualizing introductions by leading international scholars in Buddhist studies, the history of medicine, and a range of other fields. These sources explore in detail medical topics ranging from the development of fetal anatomy in the womb to nursing, hospice, dietary regimen, magical powers, visualization, and other healing knowledge. Works translated here include meditation guides, popular narratives, ritual manuals, spells texts, monastic disciplinary codes, recipe inscriptions, philosophical treatises, poetry, works by physicians, and other genres. All together, these selections and their introductions provide a comprehensive overview of Buddhist healing throughout Asia. They also demonstrate the central place of healing in Buddhist practice and in the daily life of the premodern world. This anthology is a companion volume to Buddhism and Medicine: An Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Sources (Columbia, 2019).

A fascinating system linking ill health with the state of th mind. Legendary scroll paintings used to teach medicine adorn this basic study of the Buddhist way of healing.