Mentsikhang
门孜康
Medecine and astroloy institute in Lhasa
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Mentsikhang
Welcome to the Mentsikhang, the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute, a sanctuary of ancient wisdom dedicated to the holistic wellbeing of humanity. Established in its modern form in Lhasa in 1916 by the 13th Dalai Lama,…
Listen in the app2The Gallery of Medical Tonkas — A Visual Textbook
We begin our exploration in the Gallery of Medical Tonkas, a space that showcases one of the most remarkable sets of scroll paintings in the world. Originally commissioned in the late 17th century by the regent Desi Sangye Gyatso…
Listen in the app3The Medicine Buddha Shrine — The Great Physician
At the spiritual heart of the Mentsikhang is the shrine dedicated to Bhaishajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha. He is traditionally depicted in a deep lapis lazuli blue, holding a bowl of medicinal nectar and a sprig of the 'Myrobalan'…
Listen in the app4The Apothecary and Herbal Preparation Wing
Moving to the Apothecary, we witness the physical transformation of plants and minerals into life-saving treatments. The Mentsikhang is famous for its 'Precious Pills' (Rinchen Tselbu), which can contain dozens of ingredients,…
Listen in the app5The Astrological Department — The Celestial Clock
In the Astrological Department, we find the 'other half' of the Mentsikhang's expertise. In Tibetan culture, medicine and astrology are two sides of the same coin. …
Listen in the app6Pulse Diagnosis and the Clinical Wing
We now enter the Clinical Wing, where the theory of the tonkas and the apothecary is put into practice. This is where patients meet with the Amchis for consultation. …
Listen in the app7The Museum of Traditional Instruments and History
Our final stop is the Institute's museum, which houses a collection of historical medical instruments, ancient texts, and artifacts that tell the story of the Mentsikhang's survival. You will see surgical tools from the 18th…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our visit to the Mentsikhang, take a moment to reflect on the 'Sea of Wisdom' you have encountered here. This institute is more than a hospital or a school; it is a repository of a thousand-year-old dream of human…
Listen in the app
What is Mentsikhang?
Mentsikhang is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 29.6531, 91.1281 |
| Last updated |
