ARTICLE: Graduates complete studies in ancient Tibetan medicine

This article appeared in The Republican, the widest circulated newspaper of Springfield, the capital of Massachusetts. "Thank you!" to Michael McAuliffe of the Republican for coming down to the graduation and documenting this historic moment. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions regarding the article.

Graduates complete studies in ancient Tibetan medicine

Sunday, October 18, 2009

By MICHAEL McAULIFFE

mmcauliffe@repub.com

AMHERST - The Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine produced its first graduating class Saturday, with a half-dozen students receiving certificates.

While the institute is located in Conway, the graduation was held at Amherst College. Among the graduates were a mother and daughter, Anasuya and Mira Weil, of Northampton.

Anasuya Weil, 58, spoke for the graduates before those gathered in Paino Lecture Hall. It was a day to mark an accomplishment, but Anasuya Weil said there is still much to learn. She also took a moment to thank those outside the classroom who helped the graduates.

"I'd especially like to thank my husband, Dr. Tom Weil (a cardiologist), and all my family members and all the family members of all our classmates who were really so supportive these last four years," she said.

William A. Shea, treasurer of the institute's board of directors, presided over the ceremony. Shea said the group are the first graduates in Tibetan medicine outside the Himalayas, and he called the medicine "a very precious, ancient teaching." He also said the graduates were a pioneering group, "really charting unchartered waters in a discipline that's really not recognized yet in the West."

The graduates completed four years of study at the institute and a three-month internship at the Qinghai Tibetan Medical Hospital and University in Tibet.

Dr. Aku Nyima, considered by many to be the foremost practitioner of Tibetan medicine, was among those who addressed the graduates. Nyima is the founder of Qinghai Tibetan Medical Hospital.

Anasuya Weil described Tibetan medicine as including the use of herbs and minerals and massage and acupuncture. She also recalled many years ago living near a Tibetan doctor in India, but having no idea she would be able to study Tibetan medicine herself in the future.

Anasuya Weil said she and her daughter will be happy to help patients whenever they can, but working with doctors is necessary.

"We both feel like we need to do more clinical practice with doctors," she said.