Monk-doctors fill medical, spiritual needs

Monk-doctor Ngawang Lhundrup, who has practiced for 39 years, checks the pulse of a child. Wang Huazhong / China Daily

But almost every monastery has a big or small team of doctors. Sixty to 70 monk-doctors work in Lhasa, Norbu said.

Though the number is dwindling, Tseten Jigme added it would be wrong to believe that monk-doctors are better than ordinary ones.

He gave an example that many toiled a long way to see a doctor - a descendant of Yuthok Yonten Gonpo - in Doilungdeqen "not because the doctor has unparalleled skills, but for their imagination and expectations".

He added the economic situations in different monasteries differ, so that some can sponsor students to develop into qualified doctors, and some cannot. But many monk-doctors began practicing even before they finish their studies because of personal reasons or economic difficulties.

"This is irresponsible to society, a sin, and running against the teaching of Tibetan medical science," he said.

"The good news is that the government has favorable policies to support prospective students' learning and our hospitals are providing more training opportunities to them."

Local health departments also have conducted regular checks in the clinics as the monks provide services to a sprawling group.

Norbu said his office examines monk-doctors' behavior, prescriptions, drug qualities, licenses and health conditions and service standards routinely.

He added that health departments have carried out a plan to train more Tibetan doctors, including Tibetan monk-doctors.

"Monk-doctors will never go away despite development in science. But we need time to gradually help them recover their glory."

Dorje Chodrak, an intern in the clinic, said Tibetan medical science is well known to the world and he hopes he can inherit it to serve the public.

"I don't have big dreams. All I want is to use what I learned to help others," he said.