08/05/2020
Brief Introduction of Sowa Rigpa
Sowa Rigpa is a well-established and recognized medical system in India. It is one of the oldest and traditional medical systems which is living and well documented medical tradition of the world. This ancient medical system is practiced and prevalent mainly in Tibet and its neighboring countries in Trans Himalayan regions for many centuries. Sowa Rigpa is greatly influenced by Buddhist science and philosophy, culture, way of life and environment. In fact, Buddhism forms the backbone of this medical system.
Yuthok Yonten Gonpo Junior (1126-1202 A.D) wrote the fundamental text of Sowa Rigpa called rGyud bZhi (The Four Medical Tantras) comprising of 156 chapters which is based on the writings of Yuthok Yonten Gonpo Senior (708-833 A.D), who is believed to be the Father of Sowa-Rigpa. Eventually, rGyud bZhi became the principal text for all the Sowa Rigpa practitioners. Prior to rGyud bZhi, oral transmission from generation to generation existed. Later these oral transmissions were composed into a valid text for general study. This oral medicine became the basic foundation of Sowa Rigpa. ’Bum bZhi, the main medical text of Bon consisting of 164 chapters taught by Lord Tonpa Shenrab, was considered to be the earliest medical text prevailing in Central Asia, Tibet and Trans Himalayan regions which still exists and is studied in many schools and institutions in India, Nepal and Tibet. Today, Sowa Rigpa medical system is widely spread all over the world.
Basic Concept: The fundamental concept of Sowa Rigpa is based on five elements. It is believed that the body, diseases and remedies are basically same product of these elements.
Diseases can be categorized into two i.e. mental and physical. The ultimate cause of all diseases is ‘Ignorance’, which gives rise to three mental poisons - desire, hatred and delusion. Due to these mental afflictions, all sentient beings suffer either physically or mentally. No one can be free from these sufferings until and unless one attains enlightenment.
Diagnosis: Sowa Rigpa employs a complex approach to diagnosis, such as pulse examination, which scans the whole body; urinalysis, tongue diagnosis and case studies.
Treatment: Diseases can be cured through four therapeutic remedies i.e. diet, life style/behaviors, medicines and external therapies. Proper diet and life style is necessary for good health and longevity. Particularly, diet and life style should be followed according to person’s constituent and nature of disease. Treatment of physical and mental problems is given equal significance in Sowa Rigpa system
Medicines: There is nothing in this universe which lacks medicinal value, but due to ignorance, one is not able to identify its medicinal significance. Our ancestor found many medicines in these thousand years of growth of Sowa Rigpa and therefore, it uses different herbs, flowers, fruit, roots and minerals etc. from natural environment and is prepared in the form of pills, powder, decoction, paste, medicinal butter etc.
Therapies: Sowa Rigpa also uses physical therapies in the form of mild therapies such as massage, medicinal bath, hot and cold compress etc, and harsh therapies such as moxibustion, bloodletting, minor surgery and many other surgical therapies that are utilized to treat the illness.
