༆གསོ་རིག་འབྱུང་ཁམས་ཀུན་བདེ།

Bhutanese Traditional Medicine for Holistic Wellness

1. Description of the course

Name of Faculty :                   Faculty of Traditional Medicine

Name of course :                    Bhutanese Traditional Medicine for Holistic Wellness

Mean/Period of course:          One month/ Regular on campus

Location:                                 Kawangjangsa, Thimphu, Bhutan

Endorsement Body:                Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

2. General Objectives of the course programme

Sowa Rigpa is based on a long history and are effective in treating both mental and physical disorders upholding a holistic approach to lead a healthy life.  In line with this, the course aims at maintaining the general well-being of the people through services provided by  the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine to local and international people.  Thus,  this unique course will  train people to become competent in providing wellness services of traditional medicine.

2.1    Specific Objectives

Upon completion of this course the students will be able to:

• Describe the history of Sowa Rigpa and how the three poisons result in the development of three humors
• Explain the concept of diet and behavior
• Demonstrate meditation and Sorig yoga practice
• Apply skills in Sorig Massage procedures and application/practice
• Conduct herbal steaming and bath applications
• Identify various medicinal plants for wellness

3. Recognition Certificate

After the successful completion of the one-month training, the certificate of the course will be awarded by the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, KGUMSB.

4. Course Background

The traditional medicine system of Bhutan, also called Sowa Rigpa, is one of the oldest surviving medical traditions in the world. Other medical systems, such as Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine and the country’s rich culture and tradition have greatly influenced the way traditional Bhutanese medicine has evolved. However, Buddhist philosophy remains the mainstream of this medical system. Traditional medicine in Bhutan was first introduced as a part of the healthcare system in 1968 under the Royal Command of His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. The main vision is to look after the medical welfare while preserving and promoting the traditional system of healthcare.

Sowa Rigpa means the ‘Science of Healing’. It’s first objective is to maintain health and happiness while the next is to manage and restore the status of health and productive state of mind. Sowa Rigpa encompasses various methods for better quality of life. It gives equal importance to our body, mind and soul; using holistic approach.

The Faculty of Traditional Medicine aspires to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the country. As the institution that promotes health and wellbeing of people, the Faculty will continue to educate and impart behavior that will ensure healthy living. Thus to promote the unique essence of Sowa Rigpa around the world, the faculty has developed the international short course with a credit of 120 hours for a duration of 1 month. Interested learners from all corners of the world can come together and learn about the ancient art of healing.

5. Program purpose/Definition

Sowa Rigpa is a vast science of living that can aid in deciding the right diet, life style changes, and psychological attitude towards our body, which are at the root of all medical problems.

With the current scenario of the world and increasing demand for Traditional medicine services,

the faculty has decided to develop short term course with training and certification for people around the globe to apply in their daily lives. This course is developed and taught by professional Sowa Rigpa practitioners of the country.

The course will equip learners with theories and practices about the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine services, offering new and greater scope for international students.

6.Trainees Recruitment Plan

This course will be offered every autumn starting from August which is a suitable season for field studies.

7. Curriculum Outline

8. Enrollment criteria

Learners who are proficient in English language and who are currently student can apply.

9. Course Fee

The course fee for the duration of the 1 month is US $2500/- inclusive of accommodation and meals.

10. Teaching strategy

Teaching and learning processes such as lectures, presentations and demonstrations will be implemented in classes. In addition, group work, role play, field study and other necessary practical sessions will be conducted to ensure a quality and conducive learning environment. Tutors will use a varied range of teaching methods based on the learning capacity of students attending the course.

11. Assessment

Students will be assessed using different assessments methods which are at the discretion of the tutors; including presentation, demonstration and assignments.

12. Course Management

The training course will be managed by the faculty. The course coordinator will plan accordingly any events associated with the course. This includes announcements, scheduling classes for respective modules, and coordinating any other activities related to the course. Furthermore, the coordinator will take the charge of managing the daily activities of the course including inspection of the teaching approach and practical works.

13. Learning Quality

During the course, high quality learning will be delivered to achieve the level of expectation of the learners through proper demonstration and practical sessions beside classroom lectures.

༆གསོ་རིག་འབྱུང་ཁམས་ཀུན་བདེ།

Bhutanese Traditional Medicine for Holistic Wellness

 1. Description of the course 

Name of Faculty :                     Faculty of Traditional Medicine

Name of course :                      Bhutanese Traditional Medicine for Holistic Wellness

Mean/Period of course:            Three months/ Regular on campus

Location:                                   Kawangjangsa, Thimphu, Bhutan

Endorsement Body:                 Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

 2. General Objectives of the course

Sowa Rigpa is based on a long history and are effective in treating both mental and physical disorders upholding a holistic approach to lead a healthy life.  In line with this, the course aims at maintaining the general well-being of the people through services provided by  the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine to local and international people.  Thus,  this unique course will  train people to become competent in providing wellness services of traditional medicine.

2.1    Specific Objectives

Upon completion of this course the students will be able to:

• Describe the history of Sowa Rigpa and how the three poisons result in the development of three humors
• Explain the concept of diet and behavior
• Demonstrate meditation and Sorig yoga practice
• Apply skills in Sorig Massage procedures and application/practice
• Conduct herbal steaming and bath applications
• Identify various medicinal plants for wellness

3. Recognition Certificate

After the successful completion of the three months training, the certificate of the course will be awarded by the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, KGUMSB.

4. Course Background

The traditional medicine system of Bhutan, also called Sowa Rigpa, is one of the oldest surviving medical traditions in the world. Other medical systems, such as Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine and the country’s rich culture and tradition have greatly influenced the way traditional Bhutanese medicine has evolved. However, Buddhist philosophy remains the mainstream of this medical system. Traditional medicine in Bhutan was first introduced as a part of the healthcare system in 1968 under the Royal Command of His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. The main vision is to look after the medical welfare while preserving and promoting the traditional system of healthcare.

Sowa Rigpa means the ‘Science of Healing’. It’s first objective is to maintain health and happiness while the next is to manage and restore the status of health and productive state of mind. Sowa Rigpa encompasses various methods for better quality of life. It gives equal importance to our body, mind and soul; using holistic approach.

The Faculty of Traditional Medicine aspires to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the country. As the institution that promotes health and wellbeing of people, the Faculty will continue to educate and impart behavior that will ensure healthy living. Thus to promote the unique essence of Sowa Rigpa around the world, the faculty has developed the international short course with a credit of 240 hours for a duration of 3 months. Interested learners from all corners of the world can come together and learn about the ancient art of healing.

5. Program purpose/Definition

Sowa Rigpa is a vast science of living that can aid in deciding the right diet, life style changes, and psychological attitude towards our body, which are at the root of all medical problems.

With the current scenario of the world and increasing demand for Traditional medicine services,

the faculty has decided to develop short term course with training and certification for people around the globe to apply in their daily lives. This course is developed and taught by professional Sowa Rigpa practitioners of the country.

The course will equip learners with theories and practices about the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine services, offering new and greater scope for international students.

 6.Trainees Recruitment Plan

This course will be offered every autumn starting from August which is a suitable season for field studies.

7. Curriculum Outline

8. Enrollment criteria

Learners who are proficient in English language and who are currently student can apply.

9. Course Fee

The course fee for the duration of the 3 months is US$ 3,500/- inclusive of accommodation and meals.

 10. Teaching strategy

Teaching and learning processes such as lectures, presentations and demonstrations will be implemented in classes. In addition, group work, role play, field study and other necessary practical sessions will be conducted to ensure a quality and conducive learning environment. Tutors will use a varied range of teaching methods based on the learning capacity of students attending the course.

11. Assessment  

Students will be assessed using different assessments methods which are at the discretion of the tutors; including presentation, demonstration and assignments.

12. Course Management

The training course will be managed by the faculty. The course coordinator will plan accordingly any events associated with the course. This includes announcements, scheduling classes for respective modules, and coordinating any other activities related to the course. Furthermore, the coordinator will take the charge of managing the daily activities of the course including inspection of the teaching approach and practical works.

 13. Learning Quality

During the course, high quality learning will be delivered to achieve the level of expectation of the learners through proper demonstration and practical sessions beside classroom lectures.