Archived Courses
Tibetan Medicine Course
(3-year distance learning course + one 11-day onsite practice workshop)
The Tibetan medicine course has been a very rare opportunity to study traditional Tibetan Medicine with the prominent senior Tibetan doctor Pasang Yonten Arya. It was a 3-year course program covering all the main aspects of Tibetan medicine theory, diagnosis and practice in its traditional form, as it also embraced its contemporary explanation, development and application.
This Tibetan Medicine course was addressed to the are health field professionals in general as well as seriously motivated people intending to study Tibetan medicine in the complementary medicine field. It was given online, with the option of attending hands-on workshops on pulse taking and other diagnostic methods, and on external therapies.
Since 2010, eleven classes of students have taken part in this program.
This program is now fully closed, and we are no longer taking on new students.
more information below
Course Content
This comprehensive program covers all the main aspects of Tibetan medicine theory, diagnosis and practice in its traditional form based on Gyud-shi, the Four medical Tantras, but also embraces its contemporary explanation, development and application.
The Tibetan medicine course lasts 3 years:
- 1st year : Basics of Tibetan Medicine (theory, distance learning)
- 2nd year: Diagnosis and treatments (theory, distance learning)
- 3rd year: General and specific pathologies (theory, distance learning)
- one 11-day workshop, generally in Switzerland
Detailed program :
Prerequisite
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.
Teaching methods
The Tibetan medicine courses are presented and conducted in the English language, using a variety of teaching methods and study aids to assist each student to learn to their full potential:
Distance learning
From their home, students study the theory of Tibetan Medicine on the basis of eleven textbooks (downloadable documents) from the treatise “The Essentials of Gyud-shi”, written by Prof. Pasang Yonten Arya, that not only expounds, explains and comments on the traditional Gyud-shi, the “Four medical Tantras”, but also its contemporary practice and interpretation.
Question & Answer online sessions
Nine times a year, students participate in « live » two-hour interactive online Question and answer sessions. During these sessions, Dr Pasang Arya directly answers their questions and, depending on the needs, complement and enlarge upon the teachings.
Class environment
Students have access to a class environment where they can find interactive quizzes to train the understanding, as well as support, and contact with the other students of the class.
Practical training
During the 2nd or 3rd year (TM course A), a 11-day practical workshop (10 days of training, 1 day examination) takes place in Europe (Switzerland), where students go from theory to practice under Dr Pasang Y. Arya’s guidance. This intensive workshop is especially dedicated to practical aspects and training of diagnosis (pulse taking, urine analysis,…), as well as external therapies training (moxibustion, fomentation, cupping, massage, hor-me,…). Early mornings are dedicated to Tibetan Yoga teaching and practice.
Workshop may include sessions with guest experts in specific areas of Tibetan medicine.
The number of seats for this program is limited.
Examination and certification
Written and oral exam (online) at the end of each year, and practical exam at the end of the on-site workshop.
A course year may be repeated a maximum of two times. In case of repetition, there is a 50% reduction in the course fee. An exam can be attempted a maximum of 3 times. If a student fails to appear for an exam without prior approval, the exam is considered failed.
At the end of the three-year course, students who have successfully passed all the exams get a certification from TME (Theory and practice level). This certificate attests to the study of Traditional Tibetan Medicine, its contemporary practice and interpretation, over a three-year period.
Note: Since Tibetan Medicine, like many other complementary medicines, is still not officially recognized in many countries, students should remain aware that even if this certification attests their knowledge on Tibetan Medicine, it is not an authorization to practice per se, as legal recognition and licenses depend on the laws of each country.
Thus, if students are already a medical doctor or already have an official authorization to practice as naturopath practitioner in their country they can receive the TME certificate as an attestation of their additional knowledge on Tibetan medicine and related techniques.
If they have not yet graduated in any medical complementary discipline, they will also receive the same certificate from TME, but in order to have a legal recognition in their country as a health practitioner, they may have, depending on your country laws, to obtain extra certificates.
Auditor status
At the end of the 1st year, students who wish to continue the course without taking the exam, have the possibility to switch their student status into an auditor status.
Auditors can attend the course the same way as students, with the same access to the material and online sessions, but they don’t take exams and cannot obtain certification. Besides, they cannot participate in programs for advanced students.
Terms and Conditions
By completing the application forms or an online transaction you are confirming that you accept the following terms and conditions:
TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center website, courses and e-mail
All parts of the websites, both public and teaching areas (tibetanmedicine-edu.org, tmecourses.org, tme.adobeconnect.com or zoom) including course content, documents, lessons, works, and correspondence, are the intellectual property of TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center and cannot be copied, duplicated, forwarded, or conveyed to anyone else, even in another language, without the original author’s permission. No attempt should be made to copy or distribute either images or other content in any way.
All online courses require users to have an active email account for course communication purposes.
Users need to advise TME of any changes to their personal contact details whilst completing their course.
Students enrolled with TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center are issued with an internet log in and secure password in order to access the direct teaching session. Students must not disclose this password to any third party.
TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center reserves the right to modify the content of the website on a regular basis in order to ensure that it is current and as relevant as possible.
It is strongly recommended that students protect their own computer system with appropriate anti virus software. TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center cannot be held responsible for any virus transferred via email or otherwise, hacking and other types of computer misuse.
Payment
The payment of the 1st year fee is made at the enrolment.
The payment of tuition for the second and third year must be made before the beginning of the school year.
On request, it is possible to pay the annual tuition fee in two instalments (+ a fee of CHF 15.- on each payment). The first payment is made at registration, the second 3 months later. Students paying by installment are liable for the entire year fee payment. TME reserves the right to restrict access to course materials and online sessions, and ultimately to cancel enrolment, in the event of failure by the student to make installment payments by the due date.
11-day Workshop: For students paying in two installments, the 2nd installment must be paid at least two months before the workshop start.
Ability to participate
Participants take part in TME activities fully responsible of their behavior and must notify TME-Tibetan Medicine Education center of any relevant physical and/or psychological impairments before the seminar/course/workshop/retreat. If necessary, participants must consult a physician or psychotherapist. TME-Tibetan Medicine Education center reserves the right to exclude participants who do not fulfill the physical and/or psychological requirements from participating in a seminar/course/workshop/retreat.
In order to maintain an appropriate learning environment, students having an inappropriate, disruptive, or offensive behavior may be excluded from courses or workshops. Tibetan medicine study and practice is not compatible with the use of recreational drugs. People who are used to consuming such substances are not accepted in workshops. Besides, any course participants found intoxicated or under the influence of recreational drugs or alcool will be asked to leave immediately.
In case of exclusion, any additional costs will be borne by the participants and the amount already paid will not be refunded.
Minimum number of participants
In the case where the minimum number of 12 students required to start a Tibetan Medicine 3-year course, 7 students for an advanced course or seminar, or 9 students for a workshop, has not been reached, TME shall inform the enrollee/participant at least 3 weeks before the date of the course (2 months before a workshop). If TME is unable to offer the enrollee/participant an alternative course, it shall reimburse the fees paid in advance. When a minimum number of 7 students is not reached in the 2nd or 3rd year, students may have to wait for the next session.
The enrollee/participant shall not be entitled to make any claims for having been inconvenienced or for any other damage.
Withdrawals
Prior to the start of the course: withdrawals from an online course or seminar are accepted until 30 days before the course’s start without any charge aside from an administrative fee of CHF 60.-. Withdrawals must be communicated in writing. There will be no reimbursement for later cancellation.
After the start of the course: Should the course participant withdraw from the TM course, or not take part in online sessions or exams, he or she shall not be entitled to claim any reimbursement.
In the unlikely event that TME has to cancel a course or a seminar, the full pre-payment for the cancelled sessions will be refunded. There will be no claim for other compensation.
On-site workshops (TM course A)
For students needing a visa to come to the on-site practical workshops in Italy or Switzerland, please note that TME does not provide invitation letter for visa.
The participation to the course is at one’s own risk. It is the student’s responsibility to have the appropriate personal travel insurance such as travel cancellation insurance, health and accident insurance.
Except in cases of negligent behavior of TME – Tibetan Medicine Education center, the liability of property damage and financial loss is limited.
No liability is assumed for any valuables brought to a seminar/course/workshop/retreat by the participant, and theft or loss of objects.
Workshop cancellation
Cancellation until 2 months before the workshop: no cancellation fee aside from an administrative fee: CHF 80.-
Two months to one month before the start of the workshop, 60% of the workshop fee will be reimbursed.
In the last month before the workshop until the day before the workshop, 30% of the workshop fee will be reimbursed. No refund for later cancellation. Withdrawals must be communicated in writing.
In the unlikely event that TME has to cancel the workshop, the full workshop fee will be refunded.
Certification
At the end of the three-year course, students who have successfully passed all the exams will get a certification from TME. This certification attests the three-year study of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and its contemporary practice and interpretation.
A course year may be repeated a maximum of two times. In case of repetition, there is a 50% reduction in the course fee. An exam can be attempted a maximum of 3 times. If a student fails to appear for an exam without prior approval, the exam is considered failed.
Tibetan Medicine, like many other complementary medicines, is still not officially recognized in many countries. Students must then be aware that even if this certification attests their knowledge on Tibetan Medicine, it is not an authorization to practice per se, as legal recognition and licenses depend on the laws of each country.
Thus, the participants who are already medical doctors or who already have an official authorization to practice as naturopath practitioners in their country can receive the TME certificate as an attestation for their additional knowledge on Tibetan medicine and related techniques.
The participants who have not yet graduated in any medical complementary discipline will also receive the same certificate from TME, but in order to have a legal recognition in their country as a health practitioner, they may have to obtain extra certificates depending on their country laws.
Auditor status
At the end of the 1st year, Students who wish to continue the course without taking the exam, have the possibility to switch their Student status into an Auditor status.
Auditors can attend the course the same way as students, with the same access to the material and online sessions, but they don’t take exams and cannot obtain certification. Regarding the workshops, if the number of places available is not sufficient, the priority is given to Students. Besides, Auditors cannot participate in programs for advanced students.
Applicable law, jurisdiction
Swiss law exclusively shall be applicable to the present contract. Neuchâtel, Switzerland is stipulated as the place of jurisdiction.
