“Birth, Life and Death”

led by

Menpa Malcolm Smith

APRIL 21-22

217 Webster, Amherst College

10am – 12pm; 2pm – 4pm
4pm – 5:30pm Yantra Yoga with Naomi Zeitz

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BIRTH, LIFE & DEATH  integrates Tibetan medicine & the teachings of Dzogchen based on the book Birth Life and Death by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

The workshop will explore the principles of Tibetan medicine covering topics such as the causes of conception, imbalances which lead to illness, and the nature of death, including an explanation of the post-death experience called “The Bardo” and practices connected with the post-death experience such as the appearance of the mandala of the peaceful and wrathful deities from the famed Tibetan Book of the Dead and so on.

This workshop will be of interest to all persons who wish to have a deeper understanding of the relationship between health and spiritual practice. Participants will be introduced to Yantra Yoga in the afternoons with certified Yantra Yoga Instructor, Naomi Zeitz and presented with a demonstration of Kunye massage on Saturday evening. The Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations at Amherst College & The Shang Shung Institute of Tibetan Studies are happy to announce the workshop.

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Costs
$80 complete workshop or $20 per session
Free to students with a valid student ID
For registration contact
Shang Shung Institute of America

The International Shang Shung Institute

To learn more information abut the International Shang Shung Institute and its projects please visit the international website.

   The Shang Shung Institute of America and the School of Tibetan Medicine

Our center in the USA, located in Conway, Massachusetts, is pleased to present our four-year Traditional Tibetan Medicine School. It is the first Tibetan Medical training in English world-wide matching the curriculum of traditional schools of Tibetan Medicine in Tibet and India. The program encompasses the four primary Tibetan Medical Tantras, as well as Tibetan language, astrology, Kunye massage therapy, ethics and history of traditional Tibetan Medical practice. We are honored to host eminent Tibetan physicians to instruct this unique curriculum of traditional Tibetan medical science here in the West.

In addition to the core curriculum, regularly scheduled guest instructors offer supplementary intensives in traditional herbology, astrology, external therapies, advanced medical theory, and related topics. At the Shang Shung Institute Tibetan Medicine School, students immerse in serious study of these ancient healing sciences.  They enjoy the rare privilege of intimate class sessions under the guidance of laudable Tibetan physicians of renowned medical lineage.

To learn more about the School of Tibetan Medicine and its programs please visit this website.

Click here to visit the SSI USA Online Store.

   Link to Enrollment Application

   Link to Frequently Asked Questions

Four-Year Program Online Course Description

Each semester of the four-year online curriculum focuses on the core theoretical studies, based on the topics of the Four Tantras, as well as Tibetan language studies. Students in the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine can expect to receive training presented in English, and that covers all the major topics presented in traditional Tibetan Medical study. Students who are enrolled in the four-year, online theoretical program are eligible to participate in the onsite intensive practical training. Practical intensives are scheduled periodically each year over ten day periods. For those students who complete the first eight semesters of online theoretical training, and all of the practical intensives, an optional internship at the Northeast Traditional Tibetan Hospital in Qinghai, China will be available at the conclusion of their studies.

The Tibetan Medicine Online Program offers eight consecutive semesters. There are no electives or part/time study options in the program, and students are expected to participate in all aspects covering each semester’s topics.

All topics, number of hours per topic, and sequence of course topics are subject to change due to the needs of each particular class and faculty. Additionally, some summer lab courses may be required for an additional charge, based on the availability of visiting professors.

Academic Director

Menpa (Dr.) Phuntsog Wangmo received her advanced degree from the Lhasa University School of Traditional Medicine in 1988 where she also served a two-year residency after completing her five-year training program (1983-1990). During that time she studied with the Khenpos Troru Tsenam and Gyaltsen, two of Tibet’s foremost doctors who are credited with the revival of Tibetan Medicine within Tibet under the Chinese. Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo had the exceptional opportunity of extensive clinical training under Khenpo Troru Tsenam for four years. Thereafter, she dedicated many years of work as a doctor in Eastern Tibet where she collaborated and directed the implementation of  A.S.I.A. the non-profit organization founded by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Since that time, she has worked on behalf of A.S.I.A. setting up hospitals and training centers in the remote regions of Sichuan Province and Chamdo Prefecture.

From 1996-present, she has been the A.S.I.A. project coordinator in Tibet for the development of Gamthog Hospital in collaboration with expatriate personnel as well as the overall health coordinator and practitioner of traditional Tibetan medicine supervising health activities through out the surrounding region of Chamdo Prefecture. Prior to 1996, she was on the faculty of Shang Shung Institute in Italy where she gave numerous seminars and conference presentations on Tibetan medicine.  Dr. Wangmo remains in residence at the Shang Shung Institute in America where she is the director of the Institute’s Traditional Tibetan Medicine Program.

Tibetan Medicine Program Online Outline by Semester 

First Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Tibetan Medical History
• Tibetan Medicine Root Tantra
• Tibetan Anatomy & Physiology
• Ethical Conduct of a Tibetan Doctor

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies I

Second Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Etiology of Illness and Causes of Diseases
• Methods of Treatment
• Preventative Medicine
• Diagnostics I

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies II

Third Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• External Therapies
• Diagnostics II

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies III

Fourth Semester 

Core Foundation Studies

• Expurgation
• Tibetan Pharmacology
• Three Nyepas (Humors).

. Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies IV

Fifth Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Treating Illnesses of the Torso
• Heat disorders.

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies V

Sixth Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Common Diseases
• Wounds
• Tibetan Pediatrics
• Illnesses of the Upper Body

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies VI

Seventh Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Provocative Diseases
• Poison or Toxic Diseases
• Conclusion of the Tantras
• Tibetan Gynecology

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies VII

Eighth Semester

Core Foundation Studies

• Tibetan Pathology

Complementary Studies

• Tibetan Language Studies VIII 

*OPTIONAL Final Internship: Optional four-month internship at the Northeast Traditional Tibetan Hospital in Qinghai, China

Tuition & Fees 

• Tuition $1,650.00 USD per semester*

• $425.00 USD is due upon acceptance into the program and will be applied toward the  first semester’s tuition

• $50.00 USD material fee (per semester).

Link to Enrollment Application

Link to Frequently Asked Questions