CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF BUDDHIST STUDIES
(Deemed to be University)
Sowa-Rigpa Department
Etymologically, Sowa Rigpa is the science of nourishment and surviving of seven dhatus and mind or the Science of Healing. Originated from Lord Buddha, it has more than 2500 years history. Rgyud- zhi (Chaturth Tantra), the fundamental text book of this medical system by Buddha, was translated into Bhoti language during 7th-8th century by Bairochana. Later the great translator of Ngari Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo translated Vaghbatta’s Ashtanga Hridayam and its commentary Lzazer by Chandraanda into Bhoti Language. He then established a traditional school called Drang Srong Gawe Tsal at Purang, from where the practice of Sowa Rigpa medicine system came into Ladakh.
Sowa-Rigpa believes in holistic approach to perfection of body, mind and spirit for a healthy way of life and embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that all illnesses ultimately result from the three poisons: Delusion, Greed and Aversion. It is based on principles of Jung-wa-nga (Panch mahabhuta/ five elements) and Nespa gsum /tridosh (three humors).
In the year 1989, the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh opened the department of Sowa Rigpa, and more than 70 students have graduated till date and are working for the welfare of Ladakhi society. At the moment, students are doing graduation in Sowa Rigpa.
In the year 2010, Indian Parliament moved a bill on Sowa Rigpa and recognized it as a traditional medicine of India under AYUSH Ministry. After the recognition of Sowa-Rigpa medical system, the significance of Sowa-Rigpa has immensely multiplied and the government is fully focused on developing and conserving this age-old healthcare system. Consequently, CIBS administration also developed Sowa-Rigpa Department and health care system in CIBS. CIBS administration has opened a new Sowa-Rigpa hospital on its campus, and it is now operational and giving services to every patient. CIBS administration is planning to make a full-fledged and properly functional Sowa-Rigpa Hospital by developing physical infrastructure and other requisite components.
With an intention to preserve and promote the endangered and rare medicinal plants and herbs, Sowa-Rigpa Department has established a herbal garden on CIBS Campus. Besides, it is intended to provide training to local farmers through this garden for cultivation of different herbs and plants to boost up their economic conditions. 10 kanals of land is used for the herbal garden.
KUMRA JIVA HERBAL GARDEN
With a intend to preserve and promote endangered and rare medicinal plants, Sowa-Rigpa Department established herbal garden at CIBS Campus. 10 kanal lands is used for herbal garden.
List to medicinal plants to be cultivated in herbal garden
Some of the plants and herbs cultivated in the garden are:
| Sl. No | Local Name | Botanical Name |
| 1 | Chutsa | Rheum Emodi |
| 2 | Jeptse Karpo | Dracocephalum Heterophyllum |
| 3 | Nalo | Aconogonum Tortuosum |
| 4 | Tarbu | Hippophae rhamnoides |
| 5 | Thangthom langthangtse | Hyoscyamus niger |
| 6 | Nas | Hordeum Vulgare |
| 7 | Panggan Nonpo | Gentiana Phyllocalyx |
| 8 | Jagotpos | Delphinnium brunonianum |
| 9 | Wangpo lakpa | Dactylorhiza hatagirea |
| 10 | Manu | Inula racemosa |
| 11 | Mingchen nakpo | Cremanthodium Ellisii |
| 12 | Tsates | Cicerbita macrohiza |
| 13 | Tsa awa | Lloydia Serotina |
| 14 | Tsod | Rubia cordofolia |
| 15 | Tsedhum | Ephedra gerardiana |
| 16 | Zatsod | Urtica hyperborean |
| 17 | Hrlo marpo | Rhodiola tibetica |
| 18 | Volmotse | Podophyllum hexandrum |
| 19 | Bonga Karpo | Acontium heterophyllum |
| 20 | Demok | Inula racemosa |
| 21 | Tsernon | Meconopsis aculate |
| 22 | Ruta | Saussurea lappa |
| 23 | Davo | Fagopyrum esculentum |
Students of Sowa-Rigpa cultivating medicinal plants
Sowa-Rigpa Department conducted training cum field visit tour for students in collaboration with DIHAR, Leh. The students visited herbal garden at Defense Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh where experts gave training on cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants species. Some photograph of field visit tour.
