Tibetan Healing Ritual/practice

June 16, 2022 2:48 PM

Hello! I remember reading a book on Tibetan medicine where a practitioner would put a healing 'patch' on someone. The 'patch' had a healing script or mantra on it. Maybe it was after someone had moxibustion. I remember the image in a book that had vivid photos, so this was not a dense book, it was more an overview of different healing ancient Asian practices-, I think. I also remember in the book, the patient had inking like Angliena Joile (not henna). Do you know what this practice is? Trying to learn more.

At the time I was reading about the use of gemstones in Tibetan Medicine. Was the gem attached as a healing balm? I read about ruby pills. At the time I was also reading about Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese. This really spoke to me, the idea of the mantra/script/word being part of the healing. It seemed to have mental health benefits and healing. Thanks

Was this the book?https://www.amazon.com/Book-Tibetan-Medicine-Personal-Wellbeing/dp/1856752763

posted by Boyd to Religion & Philosophy (4 answers total)

My neighbors are Tibetan.

My first thought on reading your post was to think, “hey, I could ask them”.

But, then I thought it might be a bit appropriating, so maybe not. Will follow any responses.
posted by Windopaene at 8:39 PM on June 16, 2022

Windowpane, if you ask your neighbors if they see a Tibetan medicine doctor (menpa) that they would recommend, or know someone who could recommend a menpa to a friend, that would be perfectly respectful - it doesn’t assume that they use TM or put it upon them to explain the system (most Americans wouldn’t be able to give very good medical advice, but would be perfectly capable of recommending a good GP). Bring a few nice pieces of fresh fruit and a box of very fancy cookies in a bowl when you ask and I bet they would be delighted beyond words! (Source: lived in a Tibetan neighborhood of Kathmandu for two years).

OP: There are lots of online resources on Tibetan medicine - taking a quick look through this one, though the URL is atrocious, the author seems to be a good-faith practitioner, the free content seems clearly written and not only oriented toward sales, and the thing being sold (which a lot of TM resources online will be) is courses on TM as a medical system.

if you’re looking online, a good search term might be “rlung”, the transliteration of the Tibetan script for “wind”, the element associated with mental unwellness. “Precious pills” (which in real life are supposedly compounded with actual precious metals in small amounts - some with mercury) is likely to get you more dubious sales pitches and promises of miraculous healing.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 9:59 PM on June 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Gah! All the auto-corrects! Windopaene.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:05 PM on June 16, 2022

Response by poster: thanks, friend! I think I found the book, so I will start there. At the very least, this posting got me excited about Tm and different forms of healing. Thank you for the responses :)
posted by Boyd at 7:36 AM on June 17, 2022 [1 favorite]