Sowa Rigpa Practitioner
Foundations + 3 Years | 800+ Hours
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSE
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NEXT COHORT BEGINS FALL 2026
(BY APPLICATION)
PRE-REQUISITE: FOUNDATIONS OF SOWA RIGPA
A four-year professional training in Sowa Rigpa based on the Gyud Zhi རྒྱུད་བཞི། (Four Medical Tantras):
Approximately 200 hours of class time each year. (Year One = Foundations of Sowa Rigpa.)
Combination of self-paced video learning with select live online modules and weekly summary, discussion, and question and answer sessions with group mentors and guest teachers.
Four required five-day in-person hands on practical intensives offered regularly at different locations around the world (California, Italy, New York, Nepal) to be completed from year 2 on (can be completed individually or combined in one trip to Nepal)
Opportunities for supplemental clinical internship and study abroad in Nepal.
(Can be combined with required intensives.)
(BY APPLICATION)
PRE-REQUISITE: FOUNDATIONS OF SOWA RIGPA
A four-year professional training in Sowa Rigpa based on the Gyud Zhi རྒྱུད་བཞི། (Four Medical Tantras):
Approximately 200 hours of class time each year. (Year One = Foundations of Sowa Rigpa.)
Combination of self-paced video learning with select live online modules and weekly summary, discussion, and question and answer sessions with group mentors and guest teachers.
Four required five-day in-person hands on practical intensives offered regularly at different locations around the world (California, Italy, New York, Nepal) to be completed from year 2 on (can be completed individually or combined in one trip to Nepal)
Opportunities for supplemental clinical internship and study abroad in Nepal.
(Can be combined with required intensives.)
Topics Covered
Year One: Foundations of Sowa Rigpa
ROOT TANTRA:
Introduction to Sowa Rigpa: Four Tantras and Tanaduk
Health/ balance according to Sowa Rigpa
Disease/ imbalance according to Sowa Rigpa
Sowa Rigpa Diagnostic Techniques
- Observation: Tongue and Urine
- Palpation: Pulse
- Questioning
Sowa Rigpa Methods of Treatment
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Herbs
- External Therapies
Psychology
Spiritual Healing Methods
Introduction to Sowa Rigpa: Four Tantras and Tanaduk
Health/ balance according to Sowa Rigpa
Disease/ imbalance according to Sowa Rigpa
Sowa Rigpa Diagnostic Techniques
- Observation: Tongue and Urine
- Palpation: Pulse
- Questioning
Sowa Rigpa Methods of Treatment
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Herbs
- External Therapies
Psychology
Spiritual Healing Methods
Year Two: Science of Healing & Physical & Energetic Construction of the Human Body
EXPLANATORY TANTRA (Shé Gyü):
Embryology & Anatomy
- Formation of the Body
- Formation of the Body
Bases of Pathology
Bases of Diagnosis
Bases of Treatment
Diseases of the 3 Nyes pa (Humors) & 7 Constituents
Tsawa (Hot) Disorders
Drangwa (Cold) Disorders
Women & Children's Disorders
Chüdlen (Rejuvenation) & Infertility
Ethics of a Physician
Tsawa (Hot) Disorders
Drangwa (Cold) Disorders
Women & Children's Disorders
Chüdlen (Rejuvenation) & Infertility
Ethics of a Physician
Year Three: Clinical Focus on "Secret Oral Instructions" for treating specific ailments
INSTRUCTIONAL TANTRA (Men-ngag Gyü):
Neoplastic Disorders:
- 'Bras (Ulcers/Abscesses/Growths)
- Skran (Solid Tumors/Masses)
Internal Medicine: Diagnosis & treatment of
- Sensory Organs Disorders
- Vital Organs Disorders
- Hollow Organ Disorders
Herbal Medicine:
- Clinical application of formulas found in the Instructional Tantra (Men-ngag Gyü)
- Theory of Compounding (Sbyor ba)
- Six Tastes and Eight Potencies in Practice
- Decoctions (Thang), Powders (Phye ma), Pills (Ril bu), Medicinal Butters (Sman mar)
Miscellaneous Disorders: Chapters 73–80 Men-ngag Gyü
- Hoarseness/Loss of Voice (Skad 'dzas)
- Sensory Organs Disorders
- Vital Organs Disorders
- Hollow Organ Disorders
Herbal Medicine:
- Clinical application of formulas found in the Instructional Tantra (Men-ngag Gyü)
- Theory of Compounding (Sbyor ba)
- Six Tastes and Eight Potencies in Practice
- Decoctions (Thang), Powders (Phye ma), Pills (Ril bu), Medicinal Butters (Sman mar)
Miscellaneous Disorders: Chapters 73–80 Men-ngag Gyü
- Hoarseness/Loss of Voice (Skad 'dzas)
- Anorexia/Loss of Appetite (Yi ga 'chus)
- Polydipsia (Skom nad): Excessive thirst
- Hiccups (Skyigs bu)
- Dyspnea/Asthma (Dbug mi bde)
- Acute Abdominal Pain (Gshog pa)
- Worm Infestations (Srin bu)
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
Neoplastic Disorders:
- 'Bras (Ulcers/Abscesses/Growths)
- Skran (Solid Tumors/Masses)
Year Four: Pharmacology, Diagnostics & Professional Application of Sowa Rigpa
SUBSEQUENT TANTRA (Phyima Gyü) & Clinical Practice:
Pulse & Urine Clinical Assessment
Advanced Pharmacology:
- Compounding pills, powders, decoctions & medicinal butters
Advanced Pharmacology:
- Compounding pills, powders, decoctions & medicinal butters
Psychiatry & Provocations:
- Dön (provocation) diseases
- Tibetan medical approach to mental health
- Neurological disorders
External Therapies:
- Moxibustion
- Venesection
- Ku Nyé Tibetan Massage
- Hormé Mongolian Moxibustion
Professional Ethics: The conduct of a physician, ethical practice, and establishing a clinical setting.
- Dön (provocation) diseases
- Tibetan medical approach to mental health
- Neurological disorders
External Therapies:
- Moxibustion
- Venesection
- Ku Nyé Tibetan Massage
- Hormé Mongolian Moxibustion
Professional Ethics: The conduct of a physician, ethical practice, and establishing a clinical setting.
Final Research Project/Thesis: Students must complete a personal research project or thesis on a chosen topic in Sowa Rigpa.
Internship: Completion of clinical hours, often through study abroad opportunities or "medical camps" in Nepal, where students observe and assist senior physicians.
Current Sowa Rigpa Programming
