Men-Tsee-Khang Celebrates 49th Founding AnniversaryWednesday, 24 March 2010, 11:49 a.m.
Dharamshala: Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute (TMAI) celebrated its 49th founding anniversary on Tuesday, 23rd March. TMAI is popularly known as Men-Tsee-Khang. Dr. Dawa, Director of TMAI, gave introduction, annual report and backgroud history of Men-Tsee-Khang. He said Men-Tsee-Khang was founded on 23 March 1961 at Chopra House, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala with the funding from the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the begining Dr. Yeshe Dhondhen (former private physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama) taught medicine to the first two students: Jhampa Sonam also known as Lhawang and Tashi Gyaltsen. Similary the Astrological Institute began with the first teacher Lodoe Gyatso from Tashi Khyil in Amdo, Tibet and his two students Dhakyap Chetsang Hothokthu Loden Sherab and Khentrul Yeshi Palden.Kalon Chope Paljor Tsering, Kalon for Health Department who was the Chief Guest honoured Dr. Namgyal Tsering, Dr. Tsewang Tamding and Dr. Sonam Lhamo for 30 years of their sincere service to the people. Other staffs honoured with their 20 years of service in Men-Tsee-Khang were Tseten Dorjee, Dawa Dolma, Loden Dolma, Dhondhen Dorjee Sonam Yangdon, Kunsang Lhundup, Tashi Wangdu and Migmar Lhamo. Academic certificates to the students were also presented.The Chief Guest while delivering the keynote address emphasized on the importance of Men-Tsee-Khang in fulfilling His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s principles to serve the human kind and the Tibetan nation by preserving her rich traditional Tibetan culture. The Kalon also said,”One of the main medicines to heal any suffering is the very sincere thought to help others in order to reduce the suffering”. The Kalon further urged the students to excel in their respective fields and promote tradional Tibetan medicinal healing and astrological application to the world.Men-Tsee-Khang has 509 staffs and 54 branch clinics mostly in India and a few in abroad.
