Introduction
The Astro-Science school was set up in the year 1960 at Glenmoore Cottage with one chief astrologer and two monk students. In 1967, it was merged with the Medical School which was located at Chopra House and was called as Drophen Men-Tsee-Khang and later renamed as Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute, situated at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala, India.
The Department has a strength of around 19 staff. So far, it has funtioned under five different heads. Admissions are held every five years for the recruitment of astrological students at the Tibetan Medical and Astro. College of Men-Tsee-Khang, where after the completion of the five-year course, a student joins the Astrology Department for a year’s internship before becoming a qualified Tibetan Astro-Science Practitioner. Until now about 50 Astro-Science Practitioner have graduated in the past seven batches.
Aims and Objectives
The sole aim of the Astro-Science Department is to restore what has been degenerated and to preserve and further develop what is left of this ancient science of Tibetan Astro-Science. Nothing precedes the duty of the Astro-Science Department to cast the Astr-Science of Yearly Obstacle of H.H. the Dalai Lama and hence, it has been cast carefully over the years in exile.
Counseling and recommendation of auspicious dates for various activities of the Tibetan Government in Exile remains another major service of this department. Fulfilling the needs of the people from all culture and caste, by bringing out a variety of Astrological readings and finding a way to solve their questions and uncertainties is one of the main objectives.
Activities and Achievements
The detailed almanac, pocket diary and single paged calendar with Thangka painting, remain some of the important yearly publications of the Astro-Science Department besides various other astrological readings in English and Tibetan language. The almanac contains valuable information about the whole year in general and in section of the months and days. It begins with the biography of the Lord Buddha and major events in the Tibetan history till date in a chronological manner. A general overview of rise and fall at different parts of the world, weather conditions, natural disasters and eclipses are also covered besides accounts of good and evil on a day to day basis. The department cast numerous types of astro-science like the astro-science of Natal Horoscope, astro-science of Marital Compatibility, astro-science of Obstacle Year, astro-science of Ill-health, astro-science of Death and various other minor astrological readings according to ones condition of problem and query. Remedial measures include personal prayers, general and special amulets and astrological counseling. Government and private organizations also consult the Astro-Science Department for counseling on beginning of important projects. Besides the regular chores the department has held nine courses since 1996 on Tibetan Astro-Science and the mass has benefited a lot from it. Lectures and exhibitions have been held in cities of Japan, USA, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Spain and India. Various publications on Tibetan Astro-Science have been published both in English and Tibetan.