Frequently asked questions

How is the course organized?

TM courses A and B (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels):

• Students receive written material, as well as commentaries in the form of oral and audio teachings on CD or DVD by mail (4 times a year). They can then study at their own pace.
• Once a month (9 times a year), they are invited to attend a scheduled direct online interactive teaching session with Dr. Pasang Yonten Arya. One day before the meeting, they will receive a link and a password to join the online class, where they will have the possibility to ask questions and receive further teachings and advice on specific chapters.

TM course A (Intermediate and Advanced levels)

• Once a year, they also participate in a 6-day practical workshop in Europe (5 days of teachings and practical training + 1 day examination).

Who is the teacher?
TM courses A and B (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels):
Audio and video teachings on CD and DVD as well as online sessions are given by Dr. Pasang Yonten Arya

Workshops (TM course A: Intermediate and Advanced levels)
Most of the lessons of the on-site practical workshop are also given by Dr. Pasang Yonten Arya. Some other experts in Tibetan medicine may also intervene for specific subjects.

Is the course traditional?
The Tibetan medicine course provides an authentic and reliable knowledge and covers all the main aspects of Tibetan medicine theory, diagnosis and practice in its traditional form. It is based on “the Essentials of Gyud-shi”, a three book treatise written by Prof. Pasang Yonten Arya that expounds the traditional Gyud-shi (the Four medical Tantras), as well as its contemporary practice and interpretation. It presents then the traditional aspects of Tibetan Medicine, but it also comprises contemporary comments and explanations on these texts, as well as the presentation of the present-day development, application and practice of Tibetan Medicine.

When does the course start?
The first class of this pilot project will start in September 2010.

Are there any prerequisites for the course?
There is no particular prerequisite to take the Tibetan Medicine online course.
It is of course beneficial for the students to already have notions in the western medicine field or Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and culture but it is not compulsory.
The course is open to all, regardless of social, ethnic or spiritual backgrounds. Being Buddhist is not a prerequisite. However, as Tibetan medicine is based on Buddhist philosophy, students are expected to study its principles with an open mind.

Should I be able to understand Tibetan language to take the course?
No. The course is given in English and knowledge of Tibetan is not compulsory. Yet, of course, any notion of Tibetan language is very beneficial.

Is it possible to only follow the Basic course?
Yes, it is. People wanting to learn Tibetan Medicine to improve their knowledge on the subject, but who are not interested in its practical aspects can follow the Basic level only. At the end of the year, if they have successfully passed the exams, they will also get a certification on basic theoretical knowledge.

What do the course fees cover?
Options A and B (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels):
The course fees cover the course texts (downlodable pdf documents), audio/video teachings (more than 250 hours in all), and the access to the online sessions for a year (9 three-hour sessions), as well as all registration and examination fees. The fees include the CD/DVD sent by post.
If students would like to receive the pdf documents in a printed form by post, they will have to pay an additional printing and forwarding charge (CH 100.- per year).

TM course A (Intermediate and Advanced levels):
The on-site workshop course fee covers the teachings and practice sessions (Everyday Schedule : 10.00-12.30 / 14.30-18.00). It does not cover travelling expense, lodging and boarding.

When do the workshops take place? (TM course A)
The 1st workshop (intermediate level) takes place at the end of the 2nd year, in September.
The 2nd workshop (advanced level) takes place at the end of the 3rd year, in September.

What equipment is needed?
Students need access to a PC or Mac and to the internet.

To read the pdf documents, students need Acrobat Reader installed in their computer. If the software is not already installed, it can be downloaded freely from Adobe.com website.

Audio teachings are on mp3 format. They can be played on a computer with a CD/DVD drive, or a CD player that can play the mp3 format.

For the direct online session, they need an internet connection (with a sufficient broadband connexion), and, optionally, a webcam and microphone.

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