Every year, the Expert Talk Committee of Men-Tsee-Khang Sowa-Rigpa Medical College organizes expert talks every Friday for students to develop their awareness and understanding of various fields of knowledge. The main objective of the committee is to enhance students’ knowledge of Tibetan medicine, modern science, and social awareness by inviting experts from diverse professional backgrounds.
In 2026, the committee decided to invite senior medical experts from the major departments of Men-Tsee-Khang. As the first guest speaker of the year, the committee invited His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama’s personal physician and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, to deliver a talk on the topic “Guidelines of Clinical Practices.”
Dr. Tsewang Tamdin La is one of the senior Tibetan physicians in exile. He graduated from the Men-Tsee-Khang Medical College as part of the 3rd Medical Batch in 1978. After completing one year of internship at the Men-Tsee-Khang branch clinic in Bangalore, he began serving in 1980 as both a Tibetan physician and post-office assistant in the In-Patient Department of Men-Tsee-Khang, Dharamshala. From 1984 to 2001, he served as the head of the Men-Tsee-Khang branch clinic in Nizamuddin, South-East Delhi.
In 1978, he achieved the Men-Rampa Chungwa degree, and in 1999, he received the Men-Rampa Dringwa degree. In 2001, he was appointed as the personal physician of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and also served as the Head of the Pharmacy Department of Men-Tsee-Khang. In 2003, he became the Principal of the Men-Tsee-Khang Medical College, and in 2006, he was appointed as the Cultural Director of the institute. In 2008, he was elected as the Deputy Director of Men-Tsee-Khang, and in 2010, he was again elected as the Executive Director of the institute. From 2012 to 2022, he served as the Cultural Director cum Chief Medical Officer of Men-Tsee-Khang.
In 2019, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin La received the Yuthok award from the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine (CCTM). In 2024, he achieved the prestigious Bhum-Rampa degree from Men-Tsee-Khang.
Besides his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin La is widely recognized as one of the most renowned Tibetan physicians, particularly for his expertise in pulse diagnosis and urine examination. Through his extensive experience and international recognition, he has played a pioneering role in preserving and promoting Tibetan medicine throughout the world.
During the talk, Dr. Tsewang Tamdin La emphasized several important guidelines for clinical practice. He highlighted that identifying the actual root cause of diseases is one of the most important aspects of medical practice. He also stressed the importance of paying special attention to Loong disorders and digestive disorders during treatment. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of cooperating with modern medicine during emergency and critical conditions.
Dr. Tsewang Tamdin La advised that physicians should be kind-hearted by nature and should cultivate compassion while treating patients. He also mentioned that Tibetan physicians with some understanding of modern medicine can provide more effective treatment to patients. According to him, the first criterion of becoming a good physician is to thoroughly study and understand the complete Four Medical Tantras.
Lastly, he shared practical advice on prescribing medicines for diseases such as hepatitis, hot disorders, and cancer, based on his long years of clinical experience.