Yuthok Nyingthig Root
Text and Commentary
(Tib. gYu Thog sNying Thig)
This book presents theYuthok Nyingthig Root Text and Commentary in modern print for the very first time. This modern edition is a printing of the entire literary content of the traditional woodblock-printed pecha produced by the Chagpori Medical School in the19th century.
Historical Background
It is said that Yuthok Yonten Gonpo The Younger created ‘Two Jewels’, namely the Four Tantras (rGyud bZhi) and Yuthok Nyingthig (gYu Thog sNying Thig). He gave the teachings and transmission for both of these Two Jewels to his heart-disciple – Sumtong Yeshe Zung (Tib. Sum sTon Yeshes gZhugs), who then maintained and perpetuated this tandem Lineage of the Four Tantras and Yuthok Nyingthig.
The Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text was first written in the 12th century by Sumtong Yeshe Zung, who hand-copied and compiled notes from Yuthok’s original writings and teachings. There have been a small number of subsequent revisions of the text by important physician-scholars, who have also added their commentaries.
First was the 15th century text expansion and commentary of ZurKar Nyamnyi Dorje (founder of the Zur Medical School), who also revised the Four Tantras.
This was followed by a revision and commentary in the 17th century by sDe Srid Sangye Gyamtso - regent to the 5th Dalai Lama and founder of the famous Chagpori Medical School. From that time, the Yuthog Nyingthig practice and teachings became an integral part of the Chagpori curriculum; since then, students and graduates of the Chagpori Medical School have traditionally been practitioners and lineage-holders of this tandem lineage of Medicine and Spiritual practice.
Another commentary was added by Jamgong Kongtrul Yontan Gyamtso in the early 19th century.
The final revision of the Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text was made in the 19th century by Karma Jigme Chokyi Singye, who was the very last teacher at the Chagpori Medical School. This version of the text – in the form of a woodblock print - has been in use to the current time.
Content
The Yuthok Nyingthig Root Text is an expose of Yuthok’s spiritual teachings. Yuthok considered spiritual practices, yoga, and meditation to be an integral part of every physician’s training.
The Yuthog Nyingthig Root text presents:
- Information on the Six Yogas (including gTummo practice, Bardo practice, Phowa practice, Dream practice)
- A major chapter on Tibetan Medical Yoga (physcial exercise)
- Fifteen chapters on the study of Physical Medicine and Pathology (including disturbances of the Three Humors, Infectious diseases, Pain, Trauma, Poisons)
- A complete set of Vajrayana practices: Khyed Rim - Development / Creation practice, Dzog Rim – Completion practice, Dzog chen – ‘The Self-Liberation of Samsara-Nirvana’
- Practices for the medical protectors
- Instructions for a special form of pulse diagnosis where the practitioner must engage in spiritual retreat and specific practices for a month as preparation prior to reading the patient’s pulse
- The Yuthok Nyingthig practice itself is associated with the development of special powers of omniscience and clairvoyance which then help the physician to become a greater healer
There are explanations given for of all of these practices, as well as information on how to integrate all of this with the practice of medicine.
(Dimensions: 8.5cmx16cm; 505pp; Tibetan language; Published by Ngak Mang Institute in conjunction with Beijing National Publishing House, 2005, ISBN 7-105-08634-5)
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