Thangka

A mural of manthang, or Tibetan medicinal thangka, mainly signifies the meaning of Tibetan medicinal science. [Photo by Daqiong/For tasteallchina ]The Tibet autonomous region has been making progress in promoting healthcare, education, research and industry for Tibetan medicine in recent years, said the region's health commission on Friday.The region has been making efforts to build four "world-classes" for Tibetan medicine: a world-class research platform, a world-class university of Tibetan medicine, a world-class enterprise of Tibetan medicine, and a world-class healthcare center of Tibetan medicine, it said."As a shining pearl in China's medical treasure trove, Tibetan medicine formed into a unique medical system as the residents of the plateau fought against nature and diseases throughout history," said Kelsang Yudron, director of the commission."Tibetan medicine has been playing a vital role in ensuring medical services for the residents, and promoting high-quality social and economic development," she said.The central and the regional governments have been attaching great importance to the development of traditional Chinese medicine and ethnic medicine.Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Chinese traditional medicine has been elevated to a national strategic level, development tasks of Tibetan medicine have been clarified since the Seventh Central Symposium on Tibet Work in 2020, and…

Sonam Tsering, a Manpa (traditional physician), introduces the medicinal herbs to students for the Lum bathing recorded in the medical thangka of Gyud zhi (the Four Trantras) [Photo provided by the National Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in China]Traditional Tibetan bathing for a medical purpose was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO Wednesday.The entry, officially known as Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa, knowledge and practices concerning life, health and illness prevention and treatment among the Tibetan people in China, obtained the status at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is ongoing in Port Louis, Mauritius.It is China's 40th entry on the list.Students at the Tibetan Traditional Medicine College read the Gyud zhi (the Four Tantras) in Lhasa, capital city of the Tibetan autonomous region. [Photo provided by the National Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in China]In the Tibetan language, the word "Lum" indicates the traditional knowledge and practices of bathing in natural hot springs, herbal water or steam to adjust the balance of the body and mind, ensure health, and treat illness.It reflects…