Free Public Lecture:
Thursday, December 4th, 4 - 6 pm
Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science Building, Amherst College
A free public lecture and weekend workshop at Amherst College with Dr. Lhusham Gyal, a prominent Tibetan Scholar visiting from the Tibetan Medical College of Qinghai University in Tibet. Dr. Lusham Gyal is currently Dean and Associate Professor of the Qinghai University's Tibetan Medical College. His visit to Western Massachusetts is a rare window of opportunity for all levels of interest to learn practical Tibetan Medical knowledge from a highly skilled scholar of Tibetan Medicine.
Transporting the Elixir: A Look at Tibetan Medicine Inside Tibet
Tibetan Medicine is one of the most ancient practices of healing known to humanity, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Until quite recently this ancient wisdom was practiced throughout Tibet virtually unchanged, its knowledge handed down through generations of lay and monastic doctors. Today, carried by the Tibetan diaspora, practices of this ancient healing wisdom are being offered in the West as an alternative to mainstream medical practices.
As a result, Westerners have begun to adopt it as a complementary medicine, but how is Tibetan Medicine practiced in its native homeland today, especially given China’s economic development over the past 30 years? What are the strengths and cultural constraints that could influence this practice’s effectiveness?
This talk is co-sponsored by the department of Asian Languages & Civilizations, Amherst College, and the Shang Shung Institute.
Weekend Workshop:
Friday, December 5th, 4 - 6pm
Saturday and Sunday, December 6th - 7th, 9:30am - 12:30pm & 2 - 5pm
Paino Lecture Hall, Earth and Science Building, Amherst College
Cost: $110 for whole weekend / $60 per day for Saturday or Sunday, includes Friday (20% discount for students)
Foods and Gems: Tibet's Wealth of Practical Prevention for Modern Daily Life
In this workshop Dr. Lusham Gyal will present the healing properties of common foods and gems as taught in Tibetan Medicine. Emphasis will be put on how to use both foods and gems in simple everyday ways to protect and balance the health. Friday will be an introduction to the workshop; on Saturday we will focus on nutrition and on Sunday on precious gemstones and metals.
Saturday, December 6th:
In Tibetan Medicine diet is considered the foundation for both maintaining health and treating imbalances. It is understood that each individual food has a differing level of the five elements. Every type of grain, meat, dairy product, vegetable and fruit can be analyzed individually based on its specific composition of the five elements and how it will effect the five elements of the human body. With this knowledge, the relationship of these two can be brought to a perfect balance. The result is a properly functioning digestive system, the ultimate means of a long and healthy life. This topic will provide essential information on what foods to eat based on ones individual condition and the season.
Sunday, December 7th:
Likewise, Gems are one of the eight medicinal substances in Tibetan Medicine. In Tibetan culture jewelry is very important. In part, jewelry is worn to decorate and beautify. It is also used to display social status. However, the origins for wearing gems comes from its application in medicine. Traditionally gems were worn on specific points to help restore the health, for preventative measures, and to protect against negativities. This topic will offer simple ways to use jewelry and gems in everday life based on ones individual health needs.
For more information or to register for the workshop, please call (413) 369 - 4928 or visit: www.shangshung.org
For a map of the college please visit: www.amherst.edu/map/index.html
