Historically, Men-Tsee-Khang or Tibetan Medical and Astrology Institute (TMAI) was first established in 1916 by the 13th Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, followed by some 80,000 Tibetans, took shelter in India. In order to preserve the rich Tibetan religious and cultural heritage, His Holiness re-established traditional Tibetan institutes of scholarship and learning in exile.

Thus, in March 1961, His Holiness the Dalai Lama re-established Men-Tsee-Khang (TMAI) at Dharamsala. The primary objective is to preserve, promote and protect the traditional Tibetan system of medicine (Sowa-Rigpa) and astrology, which has been practiced down the ages for centuries. The institute initially started with a doctor, an astrologer and ten students, enrolled in two schools: Chopra House and Gleenmore Cottage. In 1967, the two schools were merged into what we now know as Men-Tsee-Khang or Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute. At that time, it was located in Mcleod Ganj. The institute was later shifted to the present location in 1982.

 

The TMAI aims to preserve, promote and practise Sowa Rigpa, the traditional Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology. The mission statement of TMAI also includes education and higher studies in the fields of Tibetan medicine and astrology, research and collaboration with scholars and institutes in India and abroad between different healing systems, and to produce Tibetan medicines in an environmentally sensitive manner.

The TMAI headquarters at Dharamsala consist of numerous academic and administrative departments. The institute is led by an eleven-member governing body, which comprises Health Kalon as chairman (served by the officiating officer from the Central Tibetan Administration) and a secretary (served by the TMAI director). At present Men-Tsee-Khang is a full-fledged Institute with a workforce of 645.  And the institute runs a wide network of 57+ branch medical clinics and Wellness centers and 2 colleges.

Website: https://mentseekhang.org/