The Theory And Practice Of Tibetan Equine Theriatrics

Tibetan equine theriatrics is an important branch of traditional Tibetan medicine system.It is not only rich in ancient literature but also exceedingly practical in application in Tibetan communities.Some scattered Tibetan documents present elaborate records on treatments of horses,among which P.T.1062 is a long piece recording a number of therapies and remedies of horse in Dunhuang old Tibetan manuscripts.While many studies focus on interpreting these scripts,little attention is paid to the field research of how these wisdoms have been applied in local circumstances.Based on the manuscript P.T.1062 and on the field research conducted in the nomadic region of Mdzodge county,Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture,about on the remaining horse healing crafts,this thesis aims at exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of this medicinal practice.Specific terminologies had been coined to name the body parts of horses,and the methodology of diagnosis is similar to that in ancient Han Chinese medicine.Some of these theories are still reflected when horses are cured in Amdo pastoral areas.Special instruments for healing horses,remedies and surgical techniques are discussed in accordance with P.T.1062 and other relative texts,and relevant practice have been recorded to explain the above mentioned medical areas.In addition,this thesis analyzes the Buddhist ideas and other religious beliefs lying behind these traditional medical practices on horses,indicating the precious value of horse healing in studying Tibetan ecological culture and religion.The traditional way of horse care and treatments in modern Amdo region is consistent with ancient Tibetan equine theriatrics,which is represented by P.T.1062,the combination of which is of great significance in the research of Tibetan culture and the protection of Tibetan ecological environment.It shows the empirical wisdom for survival of Tibetan people,who have been living on this unique land of Tibetan Plateau for millennia,and this wisdom comes with invaluable medical and ecological importance.In short it involves abundant resources to study many aspects of the scicese,ecological culture and religion of Tibet from the ancient to mordern Ttimes.