![]() The first fifteen compositions have a top register. In fact Twenty-one Thangkas of the original series are devoted to more large human figures illustrating anatomical structures. The thangkas not only depict the Buddhist background of Tibetan medicine but also the diagnostic schemes of pulse and urine analysis, picturesque representations of dietary and behavioral advice for treating illnesses, as well as anatomical knowledge,charts for moxabustion, and the elaborate “materia medica” of Tibetan pharmacology. Its plan evokes a Mandala, with its square enclosure and its four gates oriented in the cardinal directions. The palace, like the whole locality, is an emanation of Buddha Bhaisajyaguru. Further more it is square with the palace at its center. The city is surrounded by four “mountains”. It represents the celestial city of the Buddha Bhaisajyaguru, Master of Remedies “Surdasana”. The first painting occupies a privileged place among the others which, in a certain sense, derive from it. Today these Thangkas constitute a fundamental piece of educational art that interweave Tibetan Buddhist traditions with centuries-old medical knowledge. Gyatso placed great value on the accuracy of the illustrations depicting such things as the use of omens and dreams for making diagnoses, hundreds of medicinal herbs and medical instruments, and fabulous diagrams of human anatomy.Īs stated by the International Academy for Traditional Tibetan Medicine ( IATTM) “one of the unique features of Traditional Tibetan Medicine is that it contains a comprehensive philosophy, cosmology, and system of subtle anatomy with associated spiritual practices”. ![]() ![]() ![]() The main reason that moved Gyatso to create this illustrations was to avoid confusion when interpreting old texts. The paintings constitute the charts of The Blue Beryl, a text written by Gyatso as commentary of the Four Tantras, the fundamental text of Tibetan medicine. Created between 16, these thangka paintings were commissioned by the fifth Dalai Lama’s regent, Desi Sangye Gyatso, who stepped in as interim ruler of Tibet after the Dalai Lama died in 1682. ![]()
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