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[Sman pa grwa tshang and the development of Tibetan Medicine]
Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi (Beijing, China: 1980)
Short Title: Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2014/09//
Pages: 264 - 271
Sources ID: 93956
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
Sman pa grwa tshang refers to Tibetan medical schools attached to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries (basically of the Gelugpa sect), which is a comprehensive institution devoted to medical education, clinic treatment and medicinal production. It has played a significant role in the training of medical professionals, and is itself an embodiment and outgrowth of the further institutionalization and systematization of the monastery educational system after the establishment of Gelugpa sect in the 15(th) century. The model of Sman pa grwa tshang first took shape from the famous Chagpori Grophangling, established in Lhasa by Desi Sanggy Gyamtso (Tib: Sde srid sangs rgyas rgya mtso 1653-1705) in 1696. Later, the model spread to Amdo, Mongolian areas and China's cities like Beijing and Chengde where almost a hundred Sman pa grwa tshangs were set up successively. The emergence of Sman pa grwa tshangs played a significant role in the transmission and development of Tibetan medicine.