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Men-Tsee-Khang opens Therapy Centre in McLeod Ganj

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By Phuntsok Yangchen

DHARAMSHALA, July 23: A new traditional Tibetan therapy centre aimed at alleviating diseases and promoting health through herbal medicine was opened in the tourist hub of McLeod Ganj town on Monday.

The new centre, set up by the Dharamshala based Men-Tsee-Khang, the premiere institute of Tibetan medicine and astrology, was inaugurated by Chief Guest Kalon Dr Tsering Wangchuk, of the Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration.

The ceremony began with lighting of butter lamp and offering of Yuthok prayers. Certificates were also presented to therapists upon the completion of their courses.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Kalon Dr Wangchuk congratulated the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute for its new initiative.

“I wish you all the best and hope the new center will help to serve the community,” he said.

According to TMAI, the new therapy center will provide ‘Jam Ched’ (Mild Therapy), a unique system of mild, external body therapies used for the treatment of variety specific illnesses, as well as improving general health, well-being and wellness.

The therapy includes traditional herbal formulae, such as, Ku Nye (Medicinal Massage with oil, dry and paste), Dhugs (Compress) and Lums- Chu Lums (Bath Therapy), rLangs Lums (Steam Therapy), Ching Lum (Wrapping Therapy).

“Mild Therapy is provided to patients as well as healthy people to treat their disease and enhance wellness respectively,” one of the staff at the centre said. “However, if one wishes to receive this mild therapy, one should make an appointment.”

Re-established in exile in 1961, Men-Tsee-Khang promotes the practice of gSowa-rigpa, the Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology. The Institute has 54 branch medical clinics in India.

Last week, TMAI announced the launch an outreach and support programme to the original Men-Tsee-khang in the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, to celebrate the Institute’s centenary in 2016.

Speaking to reporters, Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director, TMAI, said the Men-Tsee-khang in Dharamshala will mark 100 years of Lhasa Men-Tsee-khang with the launch of an extensive programme on March 23, 2016 aimed at re-establishing the Lhasa Mentseekhang’s legacy as the “central institute of Tibetan medicine in the service of humanity.”

“We will tour several cities in India and abroad to celebrate the centenary of the Lhasa Men-Tsee-khang and the proceeds from these tours will be sent to support the Men-Tsee-khang in Lhasa,” Phuri said. “Moreover, all the staff of our Institute will contribute 100 hours of their salary towards the support programme.”

The Lhasa Men-Tsee-khang was established as the premier institute of Tibetan medicine and astrology by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama in 1916.

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