Online Four-Year Tibetan Medicine Program

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Distance learning

Four-Year Tibetan Medicine Program

We are making exciting new changes to the structure and content of the Tibetan Medicine Training Program! We are not currently enrolling at this time. If you would like more information on new enrollment options as they become available please inquire here.

The mission of the Shang Shung Institute of America is to deepen the knowledge and understanding of Tibetan cultural traditions in order to contribute to their survival and preservation. To this end, we are pleased to present the first English language, four-year training in Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the West to offer the same curriculum as Traditional Tibetan Medicine schools in Tibet and India.

Overview

At the Shang Shung Institute’s School of Tibetan Medicine, students immerse themselves in the fascinating study of Tibet’s ancient Tibetan Medicine practice. Students enjoy small classes led by the director and her assistant professors. This rare opportunity to study the full scope of Tibetan Medicine practice offers students the possibility of becoming some of the first practitioners of Traditional Tibetan Medicine to be trained in the West.

Gyud Zhi

The curriculum is based on the རྒྱུད་བཞིའི་ rGyud bZhi’i, the four primary Tibetan Healing Science Texts, which are used in all traditional schools of Tibetan Medicine. Regular class lectures cover the texts’ main topics, including general healthcare, pediatrics, gynecology, provocations, wounds, toxicology, geriatrics and fertility.Traditional diagnostic methods of consultation, pulse reading, and urine analysis, as well as treatment methods including diet, lifestyle, herbal preparations, and external therapies are taught in theoretical lectures.  

Supplementary Topics

Supplementary topics include Kunye External Therapies such as warming, cupping, herbal oils, joint mobilization, herbal poultice, hot and cold compresses, special points and more.

Tibetan Medicine

With a history going back over 2,500 years, traditional Tibetan medicine is one of the oldest continuously practiced healing systems on Earth. Regarded as science, art, and philosophy, Tibetan Medicine is an ancient form of holistic heath care indigenous to the Tibetan people, and as such it integrates the core Buddhist principles of altruism, karma, and ethics. Over thousands of years this native Tibetan science synthesized with accumulated knowledge from China, Persia, India, and Greece. Since this time it has been practiced continuously throughout Tibet, the Himalayan regions, India, Mongolia, and Siberia, as well as in the Western world wherever Tibetans live in exile.

Approach

Each semester of the four-year curriculum combines a bipartite approach to the study of the Tibetan Medicine tradition, which includes core foundation studies based on the topics of the Four Tantras and clinical practicums. Students in the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine can expect to receive training that covers all the major topics presented in any Tibetan or Indian course of Tibetan Medicine study, but presented in English. 

Structure

 The Shang Shung program offers eight consecutive semesters. There are no electives or part/time study options in the Tibetan Medicine four-year program and students are expected to participate in all aspects covering each semester’s topics. 

All topics, number of hours per topic, and sequence of course topics are subject to change due to the needs of each particular class and faculty.

Internship in Tibet

For those students who complete the first eight semesters, an optional internship at the Northeast Traditional Tibetan Hospital in Qinghai, China will be available at the conclusion of their studies.

Massage Therapy and Tibetan KuNye External Therapies

KuNye External Therapies are uniquely taught in the Tibetan Medicine tradition. KuNye has been practiced for centuries in the Himalayan regions by Tibetan peoples, and it was mentioned in some ancient texts of the Bön and Buddhist religions.

The term KuNye is the combination of two words: “ku” and “nye.” “Ku” means to anoint the body of a sick or healthy person with oils that are appropriate to that person’s specific illness or constitution. “Nye” means to externally rub or massage. The combination of ku and nye is a method to cure internal imbalances and eliminate causes for disease.

The Conclusive Tantra, the last of the four Tibetan Medicine tantras, states that the mild therapies consist of compresses, medicinal baths and massage.” KuNye External Therapies are considered a mild therapy.

The practice of Massage Therapy has been practiced throughout the centuries by the Tibetan people and continues to be practiced today.

Students who enroll in the online four-year program are concurrently enrolled int the the Shang Shung Institute of America’s Massage Therapy and Tibetan KuNye External Therapies Four-Year Program, which consists of 900 hours over eight semesters. Students meet in Conway, MA once a semester to complete the onsite requirements for Massachusetts State Massage Therapy licensure. The program includes:

300 Hours Supervised Classroom  Hours in Massage Theory & Technique, of which:
150 hours is the study of Western Massage Theory & Technique
150 hours is the study of Tibetan KuNye External Therapies
100 Hours of Unpaid and Supervised Clinical Internship or Externship Experience
310 Hours Study Related to the Massage Therapy Field and the Practice of Massage Therapy
190 Hours of Study in the Foundations of Tibetan Medicine

Outline by Semester

First Semseter
Core Foundation Studies
Tibetan Medicine Root Tantra
Tibetan Anatomy & Physiology 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNYe 

Second Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Etiology of Illness and Causes of Diseases
Preventative Medicine 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Third Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Tibetan Pharmacology 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Fourth Semester
Core Foundation Studies
External Therapies
Diagnostics

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Fifth Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Methods of Treatment
Treating the Three Nyes pa (Humors) 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Sixth Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Treating Internal Disease
Treating Heat Disease 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Seventh Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Treating Illnesses of the Upper Body
Treating Miscellaneous Diseases
Treating Contagious Diseases 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

Eighth Semester
Core Foundation Studies
Treating Abnormal Growths
Pediatrics
Gynecology
Provocations
Treating Wounds
Treating Poison
Pacification Medicines
Cleansing Therapies 

Complementary Studies
Tibetan Language Studies
KuNye 

 

Practicums
There are 8 Practical Intensives that take place over the distance learning program’s course of study. Massage Therapy and Tibetan KuNye External Therapies are the main focus of these intensives. See that tab for a more detailed description. All 8 intensives are integral to the program as they comprise instructions that either involve hands-on training or are best delivered in person. During the on-site intensives there is also opportunity for reviewing the theoretical material and a final exam is administered. The duration of each on-site visit is approximately 15 days.

Internship
There is an optional three-month internship at the Tso-Ngon (Qinghai) University Tibetan Medical College and Hospital in Qinghai, China. During the internship advanced classes are offered by senior doctors, time is spent observing doctors in the hospital, time is spent in the field identifying medicinal plants and one engages in medicine making.

 

Core Foundation Studies

The Core Foundation Studies include the major topics presented in the Four Tantras (Gyud Zhi), which form the theoretical basis for the practice of Tibetan Medicine. Each semester, several of these topics will be introduced. Students gradually build their knowledge base through the systematic examination and integration of the material as it has been taught for centuries.

Tibetan Medicine Root Tantra

For centuries the Root Tantra has been the essential foundation for all Tibetan Medicine studies. This text clearly introduces all the major topics of the traditional Tibetan Science of Healing. By learning the essential topics covered in the Root Tantra, students are able to fully prepare to integrate the knowledge of each area in greater depth as these topics are presented in a systematic order throughout their course of study.

Tibetan Anatomy & Physiology

The study of Tibetan Anatomy and Physiology covers the formation of the body from conception to death. Students will be introduced systematically to this entire sequence from the initial stages of conception, how the body exists during one’s life, to how it is harmed and perishes in the end. The principles of human conception, stages of development, the shape and interconnection of normal components of the body, how it functions, and how the body dissolves at death the secondary causes, the principles of the appearance of longevity, are among the aspects covered in this course.

Etiology of Illness and Causes of Diseases

This topic of study will show the complete stages of the development of illness in general, i.e. the characteristics of the cause and condition of the producing illness in the constitution of a human being; the way illnesses begin, the nature of becoming an illness, the indications of a manifesting illness, and the categorization of types of
disease.

Preventative Medicine

“Living for a long while without illness” is the knowledge of how to protect wellbeing and benefit a person’s life by preventing the occurrence and development of illness in a person’s constitution. Preventative medicine includes the first two of the four principle treatments in Tibetan Medicine, diet and behavior, the last two being medicine and external therapies. These are key factors in the promotion of health. Restoring the essence or “bcud len” will also be introduced during this topic which is part of the topic of Fertility Treatment as well as Geriatrics.

Tibetan Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the training and introduction of administering medicinal compounds for the human body, the third of the four principle treatments of Tibetan Medicine.  Covering the basic principles of preparing medicinal substances according to a typology of taste and nature. The Tibetan Pharmcopeia is covered in this extensive section, including identification, taste, nature and benefit of hundreds of medicinal substances.

External Therapies

The external therapies are among the fourth of the four principle treatments in Tibetan Medicine (diet, behavior, herbs, and external therapies). External therapies include both strong and gentle applications of a variety of techniques that include moxibustion, compresses, medicinal bath, medicinal poultices, and Massage Therapy.

Diagnostics

Students will be introduced to the practical theory of investigating and examining the basis of an illness through the three primary components of diagnosis in theTibetan tradition: observation through touch including pulse analysis; observation through sight including urinalysis; and observation through listening including diagnostic interview.

Methods of Treatment

This topic covers treatment protocols, therapeutic principles and  treatment methods for different classes and stages of illness.

Three Nyepa (Humors)

The three humors are agents that are primarily responsible for the origin, duration and perishing of the human body that is the basis of Tibetan Medicine. The humors– loong (wind), tipa (bile) and pekan (phlegm) are the cause and condition for illness. This topic covers the cause, conditions, symptoms and treatment of disorders of each of the 3 humors singly and in combination.

Internal Disease

A fundamental concept of Tibetan Medicine explains “the root of all internal disease is mal-digestion”.  This topic explains this concept in detail including the primary diseases that stem from mal-digestion, explaining their causes, conditions, symptoms and treatments.

Heat Diseases

When the nature of fire or the tipa in the body becomes excessive it creates heat disease; inflammation and fever.This topic covers the causes, conditions, symptoms and treatment of various heat diseases.

Upper Body Illnesses

This topic covers disorders located in the head and neck, the eyes, ears and so forth. It covers cause, conditions, symptoms and treatments for each disorder.

Miscellaneous or Unclassified Disorders

This topic covers various diseases that do not fit neatly into any of the other categories. They include: thirst, hiccups, constipation and so forth. The cause, conditions, symptoms and treatment of each disorder is covered.

Contagious Heat Diseases

Heat natured disease that can be passed from person to person is covered under this topic. The cause, conditions, symptoms and treatments of these diseases are covered.

Endogenous Wounds

When a disorder simultaneous to its inception develops lesions on the body, then it falls under this topic. The cause, conditions, symptoms and treatment of these disorders is covered.

Tibetan Pediatrics

Pediatrics covers the study of the special features and issues of newborn infants and children, with attention to methods of how to protect their well-being. As with other topics, students will be introduced to the primary causes and condition of illnesses associated with the newborn infant; symptoms; the principles of manifestation; diagnosis; and administration of medicine and treatments.

Tibetan Gynecology

Gynecology covers the study of the special features how women’s illnesses occur, the causes and condition of those illnesses; symptoms; the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and so on. Students will be introduced to the study of illnesses connected with female genitalia and various treatments proscribed in the treating these disorders according to the Tibetan tradition.

Provocative Diseases

In the Tibetan tradition, environmental factors and energies are perceived as impacting the wellbeing of individuals. In the topic of provocations students will study how particular places, seasons, and conditions of the classes of extraordinary diseases emerge when environmental and other factors lead to illness. Students will be introduced to the symptoms, the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and treatments in such circumstances.

Exogenous Wounds

This is the study of treatment for wounds that are externally inflicted.

Poisoning

This is the study of different types of poisons, the causes and conditions of being poisoned and the nature of prepared poisons, and the division of illnesses from poison, and symptoms, the principles of manifestation, diagnosis, administration of medicine and treatments.

Pacifying Medicines

This is the study of the various forms of medicine that are employed for different classes of illness. These medicines include decoctions, powders, pills pastes and so on.

Cleansing Therapies

This course covers therapies that are used to cleanse the body. It includes cleansing from both upper and lower gates using different methods appropriate to the disease and constitution.

Complementary Studies

Tibetan Language
Although the four-year program is presented entirely in English, students need to acquire basic reading, writing, and listening skills in the Tibetan language in order to refer to the huge body of literature on Tibetan medicine, as yet untranslated, as well as the primary texts used in the program. The Tibetan language is unrivaled for its sophisticated and subtle contexts in relating nuances of physical and mental harmony or disharmony.

Knowledge of the original language of Tibetan medicine will enable students in the program to better grasp the complex terminology and contextual meanings. Beginning with the basics of the Tibetan alphabet and grammar, students are gradually introduced to relevant texts by their third semester as they progress in their ability to translate from Tibetan to English. A basic competency of the language will allow students to become life long scholars in the field and prepare for their studies abroad during the optional post-graduate semester.

Tibetan History and Cultural Studies
In order to fully grasp the magnitude of Tibetan medicine, students need to understand the historical and cultural traditions from which Tibetan medicine arises. Over the course of their studies at the Shang Shung Institute, students will be introduced to the rich oral and historical commentaries associated with the Tibetan Medicine tradition in the form of stories, mythologies, and allegories that have evolved for centuries. This is traditionally considered part of every practitioner of Tibetan Medicine’s training.

Practicum Clinical Trainings
The core foundation studies are complemented by on-site practicums on the various topics introduced in a particular semester (Clinical training and observation). Students will also have an opportunity to learn KuNye  External Therapies (KuNye I-III), external therapies derived from the Tibetan Medicine tradition.

Admissions: Applications & Tuition

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Information regarding Application to all School of Tibetan Medicine programs can be found, here, on the Inquire Here Page.

Enrollment Deposit
25% of tuition is due upon enrollment into the program and will be applied toward the first semester tuition bill.

Enrollment Fee
$50.00 per semester

Tuition 

Track Two: Tibetan Medicine Four-Year Program – Distance Learning
Semesters 1 – 8: $2135 each
Total On-Line Tuition: $17,080*

*2020 rates, subject to change.

School Payment Plan
Candidates may opt into a payment plan of four (4) payments over a semester period.

Example Payment Plan Option for Semesters
Payment 1: 25% + $50 Admin fee. Due upon enrollment.
Payment 2: 25% one month after enrollment
Payment 3: 25% two months after enrollment
Payment 4: 25% three months after enrollment

Incidental expenses, like travel, food or lodging, are not included in tuition.

Cost of optional internship at Tibetan Medicine Hospital is not included in tuition. It is estimated at the time of the internship.

The Shang Shung Institute of America is licensed as a Private Occupational School by the Division of Professional Licensure of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

FAQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be a program coming up soon?

We are making exciting new changes to the structure and content of the Traditional Tibetan Medicine Training Program. We are not currently enrolling at this time. 

Is there housing available?

Housing is the responsibility of the student, but Shang Shung staff can help orient you to the local area. 

Is the training recognized outside of Massachusetts? Outside of the U.S.?

Every jurisdiction is different, so we recommend students review and understand the information about licensure and practice that can be found in the Student Handbook.

Are there clinics or doctors practicing Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the U.S.?

There are many practitioners of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and clinics in the United States. The field is also recognized by the federal governments of China and India. An UNESCO application for the preservation of the field is currently pending. A number of states have enacted “health freedom laws” that allow for the practice of complementary and alternative health care without a professional license. However, individuals interested in applying for admission to the Tibetan Medicine program should be aware that Tibetan Medicine is not currently a licensed profession in the United States. We recommend students review and understand the information about licensure and practice that can be found in the Student Handbook.

Is Tibetan language fluency required for any of the programs?

While fluency in Tibetan is not required, we do recommend that students study and increase their proficiency in the precious Tibetan language in order to continue their studies and access additional texts in the field.

How does the distance learning work and how is the program presented online?

The distance learning is through an online course platform. It consists of videos, texts, quizzes, and exams that can be accessed through the platform. Students also submit homework and other materials through the platform. Once enrolled, students are given a private login and access to the materials for their particular level of study. Good access to the internet is important for online study.

Are student visas available?

The Shang Shung Institute of America does not participate in any programs that would provide student visas at this time.

Where is the program located?

The majority of the program can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. Twice a year students must travel to Conway, Massachusetts for approxamtley 15 days at a time for onsite intensives. 

Is there public transportation to Conway, Massachusetts?

There is no public transportation to Conway, Massachusetts. Information about public transportation in the county can be found here.

Get more info & apply today!