Q1. How old is Men-Tsee-Khang as an institute?
Men-Tsee-Khang was established in 1916 by the 13th Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet and was later reestablished in India by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 1961 inaugurated on 23rd March.
Q2. What is the legal status of Men-Tsee-Khang?
Men-Tsee-Khang is a charitable, cultural and educational institution registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (No. 1290/79) and u/s 12-A(a) of the Indian Income Tax Act 1961 (No. Judl/Reg. Cr/81-82/IST/35087/213)

Permanent Account Number for Income Tax = AAATM1890L.
Income tax number = 010213, Palampur (30/03/91).
Sales Tax number for Export = LC/85/186390/0496
GST No= 02AAATM1890L1ZK

Q3. What do Men-Tsee-Khang’s activities include?

1. Men-Tsee-Khang College provides (5+1 year) course of higher studies in the fields of Tibetan Medicine and Astrology.
2. Men-Tsee-Khang operates 59 branch clinics all over India.
3. Men-Tsee-Khang has its own production unit where Tibetan traditional medicines are formulated under strict supervision.
4. Activities related to Tibetan Astro-science are provided
5. Publishing books related to Tibetan medicines, Astro-science and H.H. the Dalai Lama.
6. Short-term courses offered on Tibetan medicine and Astro-science.
7. Wellness centers offering medicinal therapies (link)

Q4. What publication types are available at Men-Tsee-Khang and where can we access it?
Men-Tsee-Khang has published many books on Tibetan medicines, diseases, Astro-science, by and about His holiness the Dalai Lama. One can procure these books at various branch clinics of Men-Tsee-Khang. One can also buy these online on www.publication.men-tsee-khang.org

Q5. Besides India, where else does Men-Tsee-Khang have branches or its representative?
Men-Tsee-Khang has its collaborated/partner/sponsored clinics in Warsaw-Poland, Moscow-Russia, New York-USA.  There are new projects currently underway to establish new branches.

Q6. Can a non-Tibetan get the admission in the Men-Tsee-Khang College?
In order to share the valuable knowledge of Tibetan Medical system, Men-Tsee-Khang has started a Kachupa degree course for international students in 2021. The Kachupa degree course duration is of 6months (introductory course) + 5 years (main course) +1 (internship) year. For more information, visit www.dcollege.men-tsee-khang.org.

Q7. What are the ways of procuring products of Men-Tsee-Khang?
One can buy all the products of Men-Tsee-Khang from any of the 64 branch clinics. If in Dharamsala, one can also buy the products from the outlets.
For online shopping in India, visit www.product.men-tsee-khang.org
For online shopping, outside India, visit www.men-tsee-khang-exports.org

Q8.  When a Tibetan SORIG Doctor is not readily available, how can we make use of Tibetan Medicine?
Men-Tsee-Khang has a mail consultation facility through which a person who is not able to reach any nearest branch clinic can always reach our staff at hss4@men-tsee-khang.org . The concerned staff will then assign a Doctor from the center who will go through your case history and symptoms and accordingly prescribe the medicine. The Medicines will be sent by post thereby. One can also contact them if in need of repeating the medicines prescribed by the doctors of any branch clinic to be sent by post.

Q9.  Is Tibetan medicine recognized by AYUSH India?
The Tibetan medicine as SOWA-RIGPA is recognized by Indian Government under AYUSH. AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturapathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa, Homeopathy.

Q10. What are the general working hours of branch clinics?
Most of the branch clinics would be functional from 9 to 5 but the timing differs in some of the branches. Each branch has different weekly off set according to the local convenience. However the official holidays apart from the weekly off would remain same at the entire branch clinics. Since official holidays are based on Tibetan Lunar Calendar, Date on English calendar would be different every year.
To check Official holidays for the current year, go to Home page>>Other Links>>Official holidays.

Q 11.  What is the most serious threat faced by Men-Tsee-Khang?
Men-Tsee-Khang has its products under the official brand name SORIG. Every product has its SORIG Logo on it to advocate the genuineness of the product, but some unscrupulous individuals sell counterfeit products for private benefits. Men-Tsee-Khang has notified about such products on our website and works diligently to stop any such activities. Don’t be fooled by the counterfeits on the market (even if the packaging and products look the same as ours!) You may inform us about any

Q12. Does Men-Tsee-Khang provide online medical consultation?
Mail consultation is one of the services Men-Tsee-Khang provides to those patients who are not able to visit in physical to our clinics, started in early nineties. As of now, foreign based patients are availing this particular service to follow up with their treatment regimen.  

Q13. Does Men-Tsee-Khang organize any short term courses on Sowa-Rigpa?
Many healthcare group visit our institute for short term courses on basic introductory and advances courses on Sowa-Rigpa organized by our College dept. Theme conferences on disease condition, specific workshop, healthcare talks and etc are also organized by the institute from time to time. Kindly visit our home page website for more updates and announcements @ www.men-tsee-khang.org.

Q1. Who is Medicine Buddha?
Medicine Buddha is considered as the Supreme Healer of Traditional Tibetan Medicine, known as Sowa-Rigpa. He is called as Sangye Menla in Tibetan and Bhaishajyaguru or Vaidurya in Sanskrit. His radiant body is azure blue, his left hand is in the meditation pose and holds an alms bowl full of long life nectar on his lap while his right hand is outstretched in the gesture of giving and holds the “great medicine”, the myrobalan plant (a-ru-ra) as a sign to give protection from every illnesses. Reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra i.e. Tadyatha Om Bhekhaze Bhekhaze Maha Bhekhaze Bhekhaze Radza Samungate Swaha for at least three times a day helps smoothes the healing process.

Q2. Can one take Tibetan Medicine additionally to other system of medicine?
Yes, Tibetan Medicine can be taken along with other system of medicines provided one hour of intermittent gap is taken between them.

Q3. What should I do before consulting a Tibetan doctor?
Avoid taking strong tea, alcohol & beer, heavy meals, neither engage in overeating nor fasting, restrict doing strenuous as well as sedentary activities, sexual intercourse and sleep deprivation a night before the consultation to prevent any misinterpretation from its applied diagnostic methods of pulse and urine examination. Just immediate before your actual appointment, make sure to have your breathing in normal state, neither too fast nor too slow.

Q4. On what diagnostic method does a Traditional Tibetan medical doctor prescribes medicines?
Avoid taking strong tea, alcohol & beer, heavy meals, neither engage in overeating nor fasting, restrict doing strenuous as well as sedentary activities, sexual intercourse and sleep deprivation a night before the consultation to prevent any misinterpretation from its applied diagnostic methods of pulse and urine examination. Just immediate before your actual appointment, make sure to have your breathing in normal state, neither too fast nor too slow.

Q5. What does Tibetan medicine generally composed of?
Tibetan medicine or Sowa-Rigpa formulations are primarily made up of pure natural herbs, shrubs, tree medicine and natural elements having undergone professional processes before being formulated in the medicine.

Q6. How important is it to take the herbal pills half an hour before or after the meals?
Usually, it is advised to take the herbal pills half an hour before or after the meals in order to obtain optimum benefits of the medicine. It also helps prevent interference of digestion and assimilation of food and medicine from each other.

Q7. What treatments other than herbs does Men-Tsee-Khang provide?
Men-Tsee-Khang physicians in clinics prescribes different types of herbal medicines and employs various therapies such as Cupping, hor-gi-me-tsa (heat compress therapy), Moxibustion, tsug (Magic stick), Golden needle therapy, acupuncture and bloodletting in accordance with the patient’s physical strength and disease severity. Tibetan physician also gives counseling on dietary and lifestyle requirements to abide by to facilitate treatment regimen. Our wellness centers provide Medicinal Massage, Compress and Medicinal bath therapies for both health and disease conditions.

Q8. What are different types of precious pills available at Men-Tsee-Khang?
Currently, there are seven precious pills available at Men-Tsee-Khang viz. Rinchen Dangjor Chenmo, Rinchen Mangjor Chenmo, Rinchen Ratna Samphel, Rinchen Tsajor Chenmo, Rinchen Junar Nyernga, Rinchen Yunying Nyernga and Rinchen Chakril Chenmo.

Q9. How to take those precious pills?
First, the precious pill should be soaked with a small amount of hot boiled water in a ceramic cup cover by a lid to avoid direct exposure of bright light. Before the day breaks, crush and stir the content after adding little amount of hot water. Drink the whole mixture and go to rest again with warm covering for about an hour just to induce little perspiration. For general wellness, it is recommended to take it on auspicious dates like eighth, tenth, full moon and new moon of the Tibetan lunar calendar. However, in urgent cases, it can be taken just like any other pills, powdered it and take it with warm boiled water half an hour before or after a meal.

Q10. Any precautions to be observed while taking precious pills?
It is advised to avoid fish, pork, egg, alcohols, onion, garlic, putrid food, hot spices, strenuous physical activities, daytime sleep, cold bath and sex on the same day of taking the precious pill and one may continue to adhere it for three more days.

Q11. What kind of emergencies can be treated at Men-Tsee-Khang clinic?
Emergencies pertaining to severe traumatic events and accidents are not at all treated at Men-Tsee-Khang clinic. Yet, conditions such as sudden fainting and dizziness due to Loong energy, nose bleeding, severe cancer pain, dislodgment of joint, sun stroke and etc are manageable at our clinics.

Q12. Are there any Over the Counter herbs/medicines sold in Men-Tsee-Khang?
There are many Men-Tsee-Khang supplements and products which were switched to over the counter herbs. For example, OTC herbs such as Men-Chik for restorative metabolism & hemoglobin, Men-Nee as promoting digestive health, Men-Soom to treat acid relux, peptic ulcer & breathing problems, Sheche Drukpa for normalizing bowel movement, Laetrae Ngathang for muscle, vascular and joint health, Gundrum Dhunpa for respiratory relief, Trulthang for cold & flu relief, Nyigug Soomthang for good sleep and etc can be bought directly from the shops and clinics without any prior need of a consultation.

Q13. What is Men-Tsee-Khang’s stand on collaborated research studies?
Men-Tsee-Khang is very much interested in collaborated research studies with esteemed Medical Centers and Universities across the world. Until now, Men-Tsee-Khang’s Research & Development Department had conducted numerous studies with and without collaboration on clinical and observational studies of chronic conditions including Diabetes, Hypertension, Arthritis, Hepatitis B, Cancer and Gastritis. Studies on Cell lines, Tsothel and Thukdham in the past had also garnered scientific attention in reputed journals and amidst this Covid-19 pandemic, our R&D Dept. continues to document evidences on its treatment effectiveness.

Q14. How Men-Tsee-Khang ensures its manufactured medicines and products quality?
Each ingredient undergoes organoleptic evaluations from the perspective of Tibetan Medicine and lab tests from the contemporary science to ensure the best quality in the outcome process. The finished medicines & products undergoes moisture content, microbial parameters and physico-chemical test performed by QC dept with ref. to MTK Internal standards and QC method of medicinal plant, WHO. Further details safety parameters such as metallic contamination and micro-nutrients test are also sent to accredited lab in New Delhi.

Q15. Are Men-Tsee-Khang products sold online?
Trusted for ages and processed under strict quality control processes, the manufactured medicines and products of Men-Tsee-Khang are available in all the branch clinics across India. They can be ordered online through
www.exports.men-tsee-khang.org and www.product.men-tsee-khang.org

Q1: When was the Astro-Science Department re-established in exile?
Ans: Astro-Science Department was re-established in exile at Glenmoore Cottage, Dharamsala in 1961 with one chief Astro-Science practitioner (Düekhorwa Lodöe Gyatso) and two monk students. Given the lack of manpower and resource, both the practice and the teaching was carried side-by-side under one roof. In 1967, it was merged with the medical school and thus formed the base for this present institute Men-Tsee-Khang. 

Q2: What is the main role of the Astro-Science Department?
Ans: The Astro-Science Department’s primary role is to serve our human brothers and sisters, mainly with the various types of horoscopes that are available for order.

Q3: What are the types of horoscopes that the Astro-Science Department of Men-Tsee-Khang cast?  
Ans: The horoscopes cast by the Astro-Science Department of Men-Tsee-Khang are: 1) Natal Horoscope, 2) Marital Compatibility Horoscope, 3) One-Year Horoscope, 4) Medical Horoscope, 5) Horoscope for the Deceased, and 6) Miscellaneous Calculations. 

Q4: Are there any services provided other than the horoscopes?  
Ans: Besides horoscopes, we have yearly calendars: wall calendar, pocket diary, and almanac. The almanac is in Tibetan. Most of the information in the other two is bilingual. Various types of amulets and sacred vases are also prepared at the department.

Q5: Can I talk to an Astro-Science practitioner?
Ans: We have an Oral Consultation facility where you can talk with our Astro-Science practitioners. The most preferred is the general one where an Astro-Science practitioner tells and explains about your life in general. The time set is 45 minutes and you can also ask questions. This can be done in person and also via phone.    

Q6: What are the requirements for casting horoscopes? 
Ans: Generally, the person’s name, gender, date, time, and place of birth are required to cast horoscopes. It also stands the same for Oral Consultations. However, medical horoscope and horoscope for the deceased require additional information: medical histories for medical horoscope, and date and time of death for the horoscope for the deceased.

Q7: Are Astro-Science practitioners also available at your branch clinics in India?
Ans: At present, besides our head office in Dharamshala, we have Astro-Science Department in Bengaluru that also provides oral-consultation services at our branch clinics in Bengaluru. You can reach them at astrobengaluru@men-tsee-khang.org. We also have Astro-Science Outreach and Development Department that organizes Oral-Consultation programs at our Branch clinics. You can reach them at aod@men-tsee-khang.org. 

Q8: How can Tibetan Astro-Science help us in our daily life?
Ans: Tibetan Astro-Science has great potential to help you live a more meaningful life and make better choices. We provide various kinds of astrological readings as mentioned above. In our readings, we not only provide the forecast but also the guidance and antidotes. Many do also consult for divinations.

Q9: How important is the time of birth and what can be done if it is not known?
Ans: The time of birth is indispensable for casting a detailed horoscope. If the birth time is unknown, the only option is to have a brief horoscope or general reading.

Q10: Is there any way to know about individual past and next life through Tibetan Astro-Science? 
Ans: Yes. It has also been a subject of great interest for many. However, information on where you were born in the past and where you shall take birth is not available in the most detailed form. Yet interestingly, there will be a provision of a sign or trait to suggest the happening. Moreover, there is always the provision of antidotes to help you take rebirth in higher realms.  

Q11: Do you give a remedy? If so, what sort of things do you give for a non-Buddhist?
Ans: We provide remedies when an unfavorable situation is seen in the chart. As the preparation of horoscopes is very individualistic, the remedies provided will also vary. We have been enjoying great interest from our clients in India and foreign countries alike. For them, we provide with antidotes like doing charitable activities, wearing amulets, and so forth. 

Q12: What are the different types of amulets available in the Astro-Science Department?
Ans: There are different types of amulets. Manjushri Amulet (general protective amulet), an amulet for the obstacle years, and all-purpose amulet are readymade and thus can be purchased from our department and our clinics as well. However, many other amulets are custom-made and they are based on individual birth details. You can ask our Astro-Science practitioners for a particular amulet for yourself or your loved ones. 

Q13: What is the accuracy percentage of the horoscopes?
Ans: We have people coming from almost all kinds of backgrounds belonging to different parts of the world for the horoscopes. We also travel to different parts of India and overseas to provide our services. Based on the experiences that we had over the years, our readings’ accuracy stands somewhere between 75 to 80 percent. The accuracy very much depends on the provision of correct birth details. 

Q14: How Tibetan Astro-Science is related to Indian and Chinese Astrology?
Ans: Easily put, the Astronomical part of Tibetan Astro-Science is related to Indian Astrology, while the Astrological part is connected to Chinese Astrology. 

Q15: Does Tibetan Astro-Science practitioner also read palm?
Ans: No. 

Q16: What are the basic differences between Tibetan Calendar and Western Calendar?  
Ans: The Western Calendar is solar-based, and it has 365 days. A leap day is added to February every four years. Tibetan Calendar, on the other hand, is a lunisolar calendar. It is regulated by the positions of both the Sun and the Moon. In a yearly calendar, not only some days are skipped, and some found doubled following an exclusive calculation, but also an intercalary month is there every three years.

Q17: How Tibetan Astro-Science and Tibetan Medicine are related?
Ans: The basic concept of the two ancient Tibetan sciences is the same as both are based on five elements. Moreover, both share a close linkage with Tibetan Buddhism.

Q18: Can we study Tibetan Astro-Science at the Institute?
Ans: Tibetan Astro-Science can be studied at Tibetan Medical & Astro-Science College. It is a five and a half years course. There are however separate entrance exams and criteria to fulfill. The available degree course is in Tibetan.

Q19: Are there any short-term courses in English? 
Ans: Yes, short-term courses of 5 or 10 days are available from time to time. Tailor-made Lectures for 60-75 minutes are also entertained for a minimum group of 5 people. You can visit aod.men-tsee-khang.org or write to aod@men-tsee-khang.org for more on this.