In recent news, the Union Cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in Leh, within the Union Territory of Ladakh. This autonomous national institute, set up under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH, has been tasked with embarking on multifaceted educational and research endeavours centred around Sowa-Rigpa. These programmes will be executed in conjunction with national and international institutes alike. Positioning itself as the pinnacle institution for the Sowa-Rigpa system, NISR is primed not only to foster synergistic relationships among the existing Sowa Rigpa institutions but also to rejuvenate Sowa-Rigpa within the Indian sub-continent.
The Role of NISR in Unifying Existing Institutions
The NISR is envisioned to be a hub that fosters collaboration among pre-existing Sowa Rigpa Institutions. Prominent among these are the Central University of Tibetan Studies, situated in Varanasi and the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Leh. These institutions currently operate under the Ministry of Culture. By bringing these institutions together under one umbrella, NISR will serve as a platform that promotes cooperative learning, research, and advancement in Sowa-Rigpa.
Linking Sowa-Rigpa with Modern Technology and Science
While an important part of the NISR’s aim involves preserving and promoting the traditional wisdom of Sowa-Rigpa, it is equally invested in ensuring its alignment with modern science, tools, and technology. The intent behind this is to not only conserve a rich historical tradition but also to update it in accordance with contemporary scientific improvements.
Sowa-Rigpa: An Overview
Often referred to as ‘the science of healing’, Sowa-Rigpa is a traditional medical system that has its roots in Tibet. Its practice has spread to several countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia and Russia. Yuthog Yonten Gonpo from Tibet is often credited as the founder of Sowa Rigpa. In India, areas of significant practice encompass Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal’s Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Interestingly, the majority of Sowa-Rigpa’s theory and practices closely mirror those of Ayurveda.
Table of Facts about Sowa-Rigpa
| Fact | About |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tibet |
| Popular Practice Regions | India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, Russia |
| Founder | Yuthog Yonten Gonpo |
| Significant Practice Areas in India | Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Himachal Pradesh, Union Territory of Ladakh |
| Similarity with Other Medical System | Ayurveda |
The Rejuvenation of Sowa-Rigpa on the Indian Sub-Continent
One of the major objectives of the founding of NISR is the revival of Sowa-Rigpa on the Indian sub-continent. As an institute designed to promote the study and application of this traditional healing system, it is expected that NISR will play a significant role in the resurgence of Sowa-Rigpa in India.
