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| Himalayan
Amchi Association
Mission Statement
The Himalayan Amchi Association (HAA) is dedicated to the preservation and development of traditional amchi medicine, or sowa rigpa, in Nepal, and to networking with and mutually supporting amchi throughout the greater Himalayan and Central Asian region. Amchis’ mission as medical practitioners is to serve people altruistically and help promote health through the balance of humanity and nature, as well as mind, body, and spirit. As such, the HAA aims to provide local communities in Nepal with reliable health care, safeguard amchi knowledge, improve educational opportunities for amchi, and contribute to the conservation of medicinal plants and the fragile Himalayan ecosystems on which amchi medicine depends. Amchi Medicine: Past, Present, and Future In general, amchi medical practice is also identified by the name sowa rigpa, which means “science of healing” in classical Tibetan as well as in regional Himalayan and Central Asian languages and dialects. The word amchi means “doctor.” This system of medicine is a spiritual practice, a science, and an art that dates back thousands of years. Aspects of our medicine system were transmitted from India to Tibet between the 7th and 12th centuries, during the first and second dissemination of Buddhism. This system, combines the profound work of Sangye Menla, the Medicine Buddha, with indigenous Tibetan traditions such as Bön, and was shaped into sowa rigpa as it is known today. Historically, amchi would begin their medical training at an early age. Their knowledge and skills have been transferred from teacher to student, often from father to son. Thus, lineages of amchi families exist throughout the Tibetan cultural world. After learning how to read and write classical Tibetan and studying relevant religious texts, students would learn their vocation by apprenticing elder amchi and studying the Gyud Shi, or the Four Root Tantra texts of Tibetan medicine. Young amchi would also learn how to identify and collect medicinal plants, make medicine, remove poisonous qualities of certain ingredients, diagnose disease using pulse and urine analysis, and provide prescriptions for patients. They would also be trained in moxibustion, cauterization, and other healing techniques. Likewise, amchi would receive training in astrology, as it is an essential component of diagnosis and treatment within Tibetan medical tradition. Challenges and Statement of Need Amchi have been contributing significantly to the health care systems of remote mountain communities in the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau for centuries. In many parts of Nepal, amchi are the sole providers of health care. However, despite the great benefit that comes from amchi medicine, this system is under threat in Nepal and other parts of the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau. The younger generation is having a difficult time sustaining this practice amidst changing social, economic, and cultural circumstances. The dearth of traditional institutes of learning for Tibetan medicine has contributed to this decline. Likewise, the lack of government recognition for amchi practice by the government of Nepal has further hindered the amchis’ abilities to pass on knowledge, serve communities, and protect the environments on which this medicine depends. It has become clear that amchi living and practicing in the greater Himalayan region, including Nepal, must take effective and timely steps to revitalize this unique traditional medical system. By doing this, we will also help safeguard the health, well being, and cultural traditions of our remote mountain communities. If we do not protect and support our own knowledge and practice, it will soon be rendered obsolete. Organizational
History, Activities, and Goals Since its founding in 1998, the HAA has organized four national conferences of amchi in Nepal and three refresher training courses for novice amchi in the fundamentals of sowa rigpa, according to the Gyu Shi. These events have brought together more than 100 senior and novice amchi from Nepal, as well as guests from India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. The HAA has also published and distributed four booklets based on the national conferences. In 2003, the HAA opened its own clinic in Kathmandu. This clinic, staffed by member amchi on a rotational basis, not only provides medical care to people from remote mountain communities when they come to Kathmandu, but also provides the HAA with a source of income and a view towards organizational sustainability. It also serves as a site for clinical training and apprenticeship for novice amchi.
Members of the Himalayan Amchi Association and fellow practitioners of In 2004, the HAA held its first International Conference
of Amchi, with delegates from Mongolia, Tibet Autonomous Region (PRC),
Bhutan, Ladakh (India), and throughout Nepal. During this historic conference,
delegates have discussed both constraints and potentials of our medical
traditions and made several unanimous resolutions, in order to safeguard
and develop amchi medical systems in the contemporary global context.
Amchis from each country agreed to establish a coalition in order to
realize the five-point action plan and resolutions listed below, in
both national and international contexts. The long-term aims of the HAA is to preserve and consolidate the knowledge and skills represented by traditional Himalayan healers and Tibetan medicine, in order to provide local communities with an effective health care system and at the same time contribute to the conservation of Himalayan ecosystems. Our immediate objectives are to:
The HAA's action plan is as follows: 1. Recognition and Support
In Bhutan, Mongolia and the PRC, sowa rigpa is fully recognized and supported by national governments. In Nepal and India, however, the national governments have not recognized this medical system, although many citizens in both rural and urban environments rely on amchi for health care. As such, especially in the countries where our medical system has not yet been recognized, we strongly request the formal and full recognition of our medical practice, and concomitant and support by the government. Such support should include equal rights for medical practitioners and financial commitments toward medical education, medical production, medicinal plant conservation, and health care delivery. 2. Development of Medical Educational Systems 3. Health Care Delivery: Serving our Communities 4. Conservation, Cultivation, and Sustainable Utilization
of Medicinal Plants 5. Research, Documentation, and Intellectual Property Rights Edited
by Sienna Craig, Advisor, HAA
Membership Application Persons interested in becoming a member of the HAA can apply to the Board, who will consider the application and notify applicants in due course. Members pay an annual fee of Rs. 500 and will receive the HAA newsletter and program updates. Appeal for Support The HAA and its international partners hope to realize the above action plan through specific projects such as curriculum development workshops, teacher training, study tours, medicinal plant cultivation trials, etc. However, in order realize these goals and safeguard the future of amchi medicine, HAA seeks support from concerned individuals and organizations. Funds are needed to:
Contact Us: Himalayan Amchi Association Tel: 977-1-4490269 |
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