Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies 불교학연구 ISSN:1598-0642(Print)

Tibetan Medicine is a medicine which succeeded and developed in Tibet and other Himalayan regions. So Tibetan medicine is one of the regional medicine in Asia, but we Buddhists regard it as a Buddhist medicine for several reasons. First, the basic Tibetan medical text, The Four Tantras was explained by the medicine Buddha. So the Buddha is the main source of all knowledge pertaining to Tibetan medicine. Second, the science of medicine is one of the five sciences. These five sciences were taught and studied in Nalanda University in India, and this tradition was brought to Tibet. Third, Tibetan medicine was mostly promoted by the Buddhist monks.When we examine the Tibetan medical systems, the medical authors explain Buddhist practices here and there in the Four Tantras. In general bodhisattvas who practice the mahāāa teaching must know the five sciences, such as the sciences of medicine, language, dialectics, mechanical arts and Buddhism. By studying and learning these bodhisattva can accumulate merits and wisdom. Through this practice bodhisattvas achieve the Buddhahood. So learning the science of medicine is prerequisite for the bodhisattvas.Also we can find many mind only teachings which a main stream in Mahāāa buddhism in the Four Tantras. There might be many reasons. One of the possible reasons is that knowing about our mind is essential to cure the illness of the mind and body. This is because the body and the mind are closely connected, and this mind is regarded as the vijňāa in Buddhism. In the Four Tantras it is written: “This vijňāa is driven by karma and klesa.” According to the commentators of the Four Tantra this vijňāa is explained by the āaya vijňāa.Today Tibetan medicine is popular around the world. So it’s not a regional medicine any more. Also we have to work more to establish Buddhist medicine through Tibetan medicine. This is because in a Buddhist view point we regard medicine as a method of full enlightenment, not just science.