“Sowa-Rigpa” commonly
known as ‘Amchi’ is one of the oldest surviving system of medicine in the
world, popular in the Himalayan region of India. In India this system is
practiced in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Lahoul and
Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) and Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir.
- The
theory and practices of “Sowa-Rigpa” are similar to
Ayurveda, and also include few principles of Traditional Chinese
Medicine.
- The
fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of “Sowa-Rigpa” is
believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with
Buddhist philosophy.
The Union Cabinet in 2009 approved The Indian Medicine Central
Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the Indian Medicine Central Council
Act, 1970.
- It
is expected that the legal recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will
lead to the protection and preservation of this ancient system of medicine
and will help in its propagation and development.
- This
will also open new vistas leading to collaborative research and scientific
validation of the “Sowa-Rigpa” system, besides
conservation and protection of the medicinal plants/minerals used in the
system.
- The
recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will also lead to the setting
up of a mechanism to regulate the education and practice of “Sowa-Rigpa”
