Chennai: Men-Tsee-Khang or the Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama opened its 55th branch clinic and here in Chennai this morning. The clinic is located within the compound of C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation and is the second one to be opened this year.
At a modest inaugural function held at the foundation, the guest of honour Mrs. Sarojini Varadappan, President of the Foundation, lit the lamp and gave a key note address. She said, “I am also a beneficiary of Tibetan Medicine, and I am glad to see the opening of a clinic here”. She thanked Dr. Nanditha Krishna, the Managing Director the foundation for her efforts in bringing this ancient Tibetan art of healing to their doorsteps.
Dr. Dorjee Rapten Nishar, the CMO of Bangalore branch clinic, on behalf of Men-Tsee-Khang , thanked all the members of the foundation for their support in providing free clinic space within the premises of the foundation. Dr. Rabten emphasized the importance of preserving ancient healing tradition that has so much to offer to the modern-day suffering.
Mentseekhang also thanked special guest Claude Arpi, a Tibetologist, for his long association with Tibet and its people, and particularly for his assistance in continuation of medical camp in Auroville.
The programme started with an invocation of Medicine Buddha followed by a prayer from Tibetan Students’ Association Madras (TSAM). The students also presented cultural performances.
Mentseekhang opened its 54th branch clinic in Chauntara earlier this year.
Last year, the institute opened its 52nd branch clinic in the Indian city of Secunderabad in Andrra Pradesh State and also its 53rd clinic in Tabo, a remote small town in the Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh.
The institute was established on 23rd March 1961 as a center for learning Tibetan medicine and astrology under directions from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Today, the institute functions as an autonomous body under the auspices of Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration. The institute is headquartered in Dharamsala, the seat of the exile Tibetan government.
