Official website of Tibetan Medical & Astro.Insittue of H.H.The Dalai Lama

The Central Council of Tibetan Medicine was established on 5th January, 2004 in Dharamsala, under the supervision of the Health Department, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala. It is now the apex body of all traditional Tibetan physicians in Exile, established under the Charter commissioned by the Assembly of Tibetan Peoples Deputies, Government of Tibet in Exile under the final approval by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Central Council of Tibetan Medicine has taken on the responsibility for the promotion and preservation of Tibetan Medicine as well as for the welfare of physicians. The Central Council of Tibetan Medicine also aims to register all medical colleges, pharmaceutical units and traditional Tibetan medicine practitioners.

The Tibetan Medical and Astrological College (TMAC) was recognized as a permanent traditional Tibetan Medical and Astrological College on 4th April, 2008 by the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine. To this effect, a felicitation ceremony was held a TMAC hall where the recognition certificate was awarded to TMAC through the College Principal by the Secretary of Health Department, CTA, Dharamsala.

Every year, the college founding anniversary is celebrated. This year, the 47th Anniversary was celebrated on 10th June, 2008. Dr. Namgyal Tsering, Deputy Director and Mr. Tsering Phuntsok, Registrar of Men-Tsee-Khang were the chief guests. Besides, other heads of the departments of TMAI and Dr. Thokmay Paljor, a member of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine were also invited as guests. The Deputy Director and the Registrar gave benedictory speech to the students. They also strongly advised the students to put every efforts in their studies. Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, the Principal of the College gave an introductory speech on the college progress and activities.

In 1959, when China forcefully invaded Tibet, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama had to escape from Tibet with more than ten thousands Tibetan people. One of his first wishes was to promote modern knowledge among the young Tibetan people. Under his leadership, many Tibetan schools were opened with the help of the Indian Government. In 1961, His Holiness established the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute in Dharamsala. Many young Tibetans, students from the Himalayan regions and foreign students studied and graduated from the Tibetan medical and astrological college over the years. These days, most of the graduated doctors and astrologers are now serving in the Tibetan communities as well as providing service and benefit all over the world. Every year, the medical students visit Manali (height 18000 ft from sea level), hill stations of Mahri, Rothang and Khogsar in Himachal Pradesh for the field study of medicinal plants identification. This year too, the medical students visited Mahri, Rothang and Khogsar, headed by Dr. Khenrab Gyamtso (Lecturer), Dr. Wangdue (Lecturer) and Dr. Jigme Gedun (Pharmacy Doctor). They then conducted tests on the identification of 101 kinds of medicinal plants. In Tibet, according to our ancient traditional system, a festival used to be held on the result announcement of the medical plants identification test at Lhasa Men-Tsee-Khang. The first three position holders were awarded prizes. The last position holder were also given complimentary prize as a token of encouragment. In India, the first time the same practice was done was in 1994 under the guidance of Late Dr. Lobsang Wangyal and Late Dr. Tenzin Choedrak (Senior Personal Physicians to His Holiness the Dalai Lama). Since then, these ancient Tibetan tradition practices are preserved by the college. This year, the ceremony was held on 20th September, 2008. During the occasion, Director, Dr. Dawa and Deputy Director, Dr. Namgyal Tsering were the Chief Guests. The heads of the other departments of TMAI and Dr. Choloethar, a member of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine were also invited during the ceremony. Dr. Khenrab Gyamtso read out the reports of the field trip and Dr. Tenpa Choephel, the Vice-Principal of College announced the results of the students. The Director awarded the prizes to the first three position holders. The Deputy Director presented the appreciation prizes to the three doctors who helped the students during their medicinal plant identification trip.

In the concluding function, the Principal of the College expressed his appreciation at the overall good performance of the students during the medicinal plant identification trip and the outcome of the test result. With a vote of thanks, the function concluded with smile on every participant's face.