‘‘The Offering which Pleases the Fortunate-Ones’’

‘‘The Offering which Pleases the Fortunate-Ones’’

Syllabus for the Summer Course on Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Astrology 'Medicine' [[[Palpung]] Buddhist Sciences College]

1. Syllabus

A)Introduction to Tibetan Medicine

First Section:

i) The history of Tibetan Medicine

ii) A brief introduction to the four medical tantras

B) The proper approach to study and practice medicine.

i) On the attitude of the doctor

ii) On the knowledge a doctor should have

A) The conception and development of the human body

Second Section:

i) The conception of the fetus in the womb.

ii) The development of the fetus

B)On Anatomy

i) On the bodily constituents

ii) On the veins and channels

iii) On the vital points and the openings

C) The characteristics of the body

i) The object of harm –the body

ii) The harming agents – the three humors

A)General introduction to the theory of disease

Third Section:

i) Causes and conditions of disease

ii) The location of diseases and how they enter the body

iii) The respective characteristics of diseases.

iv) On classifying diseases

B) Methods of diagnosis.

i) Introduction to pulse diagnosis.

ii) Introduction to urine diagnosis

iii) Pulse and urine diagnosis according to the ‘later’ tantra.

A) Lifestyle

Fourth Section:

i) On having a healthy lifestyle

ii) Harmonizing one’s lifestyle with the four seasons

B) Diet

i) Food classification

ii) Correct quantity and eating times.

Fifth Section:

a) the relation in their theory, the basis The relation between Medicine and Astrology.

b) the relation in their practice, the path

c) their relation in bringing about benefit and happiness, the result

A) Introduction to Tibetan Medicine

First Section:

i) The history of Tibetan Medicine

This lesson is an introduction on the manner Tibetan traditional medical science first was introduced to Tibet, how it spread and finally became firmly established throughout the country. Understanding the origins and the transmission lineages of both the theoretical and practical aspects of this system, permits one to grasp its inestimable value and the the invaluable benefits it brought to people during more than 2000 years.

ii) A brief introduction to the four medical tantras

This lesson shows the structural outline of the four medical tantras, namely, the root tantra, the explanatory tantra, the oral instructional tantra, and the ‘later’ tantra. Based on the second chapter of the first tantra, it depicts the fashion in which the main points of medicine are ordered and arranged into a single treatise. It gives an overall view of the approach to medicine in this age-old traditional system.

B) The proper approach to study and practice medicine.

Based on the eleventh section of the explanatory tantra, this lesson clearly defines what a doctor should be, according to the traditional criterions. This lesson also shows the knowledge a doctor must have and the different grades of doctor according to their knowledge. It describes the two sacred duties of a doctor, and finally, the two ultimate attainments of the medical path. In short, it tells us how unlike ordinary beings, a doctor should possess all the qualities and characteristics of a bodhisattva and implement these in every situation.

Syllabus for the Summer Course on Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Astrology
 

'Astrology'
 

Palpung Buddhist Sciences College
 
 
 
1. Syllabus

 
1) Introduction to the Tibetan astrological science



First section:

 A) the different types of Tibetan astrology and an outline of its creation and evolution in history

  1. on ancient Tibetan astrological science

  2. on nak-tsi astrology (originating in China)

  3. on kar-tsi astrology (originating in India)


 B) a short introduction to the content of the Tibetan astrological science


  1. on ancient Tibetan astrological science

  2. on nag-tsi astrology

  3. on the astrology of Kalachakra

2) Introduction to the general application of Tibetan astrological science.
 
an overview of the traditional Tibetan calendar and it's usage
 


1) the preliminary knowledge of astrological science

Second section:

   
  1. the five aspects of the turtle

   a. general explanation on the turtle

   b. explanation of the symbolic or emanation turtle
 
 
 
  2. explanation of the objects of calculation


   a. on the 'mother-son , friend-enemy' relations of the 5 elements

   b. on the nature of the elements, etc.


 B) preliminaries of Kar-tsi astrology

  1. on writing numbers and methods of calculation


   a. writing numbers and counting

   b. calculating the numbers respective positions


2) actual calculations in nag-tsi astrology

 A) on bloodlines


  1. identifying the different bloodlines

  2. on combining the bloodlines and the cycles of years

 B) years


  1. the 12 years cycle and definition of where the year begins

  2. classifying the 12 animal signs into male, female, and the arrangement of the 60 years cycle

  3. methods for calculating 'vitality, body, power and luck', etc.
 

1) actual calculations used in nag-tsi astrology


Third section:

 C) the moles

  1. defining the nine moles and their respective elements

  2. on the moles cycle and how they rule over the cycles of years

  3. on the 'vitality, body, power and luck' moles, etc.

 D) the eight Baguas (hexagrams)


 
 
  1. on the nature and elements of the Baguas

  2. what to do and avoid in accordance with the cardinal directions of the Baguas

 E) the planets and constellations

 F) strengthening and weakening phases of the elements

2) on Buddhist history's chronological calculations


 A) Buddhist chronology according to sutras


  1. duration of the teachings

  2. on locating our position within this period


 B) Buddhist chronology according to the Tantras


  1. on the general Tantra tradition

  2. on the Kalachakra tradition


 
1) main calculations used in nag-tsi astrology


Fourth section:


 A) the horoscope

 B) marital calculations

 C) obstacles calculations



2) the size of the universe and cosmology in Kar-tsi astrology


 A) the size of the universe

  1. on the ‘container’ -- the universe

  2. on the ‘contained’ -- the sentient beings
 
 
 
 
 B) cosmology


  1. short introduction to the celestial and earth spheres

  2. on what is travelled upon [by the planets] -- the constellations and houses
 


1) on calculations in nag-tsi astrology

Fifth section:


 A) calculations for sickness

 B) calculations for funerals.

 C) on miscellaneous calculations.
 

  2. The need and aims for the different topics to be taught during the courses:
 

1) Introduction to Tibetan astrological science


First section:

This lesson is designed to give a clear and concise introduction to beginners about Tibetan Astrological science. It will give one an understanding of its’ history as well as what astrological knowledge is.


 A) the different types of Tibetan astrology

This lesson gives a point by point introduction to the different types and sub categories of the Astrological Science which existed in Tibet. This overview is aimed at giving a clear understanding of the structure of Tibetan Astrology.
 
 
 
B) History and evolution


This lesson explains the history of each of the different types of Tibetan Astrological Science mentioned above, and as well as giving a basic comprehension of its’ history as a whole.

2) an overview of the traditional Tibetan calendar and it's usage.

This lesson introduces how a calendar is complied, the way it is used and how to actually use it. The different kinds of information used in the traditional calendar are also introduced. These include seasonal changes and the daily position of the planets and constellations etc. Based on this, certain advice is given on what to do and what to avoid, on both the outer and inner level.
   
 
1) the preliminary knowledge of astrological science


Second section:

This lesson acts as a ‘key to open the door’ to Tibetan Astrological Science. Briefly, it provides all the indispensible basic knowledge used to practise the Astrology used in the systems of both Kalachakra and elemental astrology.


A) preliminaries of nag-tsi astrology

This lesson not only teaches the general concepts of elemental astrology, but also gives one indispensible basic knowledge used for making astrological calculations such as horoscopes and marital astrology etc. This astrological system -- based on the five elements-- was originally taught by the Bodhisattva Manjushree in China.


B) preliminaries of Kar-tsi astrology


      This lesson is supposed to be the key to the essential points of the karts (astrological) treatise. It gives one the preliminary knowledge needed to understand the karts astrological calculations which in turn enables one to understand the way the planets, constellations and signs move
 

 
2) actual calculations in nag-tsi astrology


Elemental astrology uses a set of general (or preliminary) calculations. Bloodlines, animal signs, moles and baguas (hexagrams) are used to make specific calculations. This lesson gives one the tools to make specific calculations used in horoscopes etc.
 

2) on Buddhist history's chronological calculations


Third section:

This lesson’s principal gives one an understand of the different phases of the Buddhist teachings in general, especially the tantras; mainly the Kalachakra Tantra. It shows the duration of the different types of teachings and the succession in which the masters came.
 

1) main calculations used in nag-tsi astrology

Fourth section:


A) the horoscope based on the interdependence of the moment of one’s birth, the horoscope shows the ups and downs (?) of the vitality, wealth, domestic situation, etc during one’s life. It also shows the main obstacles and difficulties and methods (how) to overcome them.
 

B) marital calculations based mainly on the animal signs and the interdependence of the birth of each spouse. This calculation forecasts the compatibility of a couple and the harmony and disharmony which will be experienced in the marriage. By doing this, it shows the couple how they can overcome their obstacles, and how optimise domestic life, familial wealth etc.
 
C) obstacles calculations the obstacle calculations alerting/warning one of the obstacles within one year. It not only gives methods to dispel those obstacles, but it also gives some

 
hints of the behaviour (and the diet one should follow. As it is said ‘by doing the obstacle calculations, one will be free from (adverse) conditions.
 


2) the size of the universe and cosmology in Kar-tsi astrology this lesson is brief introduction to the cosmology as taught in the Kalachakra Tantra. It depicts the formation of the outer universe , the way sentient beings come into existence, and the arrangement and movements of the constellations and planets .


1) on calculations in nag-tsi astrology

  
Fifth section:


A) calculations for sickness .


these calculations tells one the causes of a specific sickness, especially those caused by spirits or demons. To overcome these diseases it prescribes methods such as advice on diet and behaviour to follow as well certain shamanic rituals (tib: ‘to’, exorcism etc ). Furthermore, as said in the Rinchen Pun-gyu “delay the moment of your death with ‘to’ rituals”. These calculations can momentarily free one from certain causes of death.


B) calculations for funerals.


This type of calculations shows what should be done to accumulate merit after for the deceased, and especially what should be done to avoid any negativity or obstacles which could befall the family of the deceased. By doing the calculations properly and applying the antidotes, will avert the negative influences of the constellations and planets, and prevent further deaths (which could happen as a consequences of following incorrect procedure. )


C) on miscellaneous calculations.

This area of astrology calculations contains the calculations relating to everyday decisions, both the long and short term. As the Rinchen Pung-gyu says, “ By checking the planets and constellations one will meet with every kind of success. “