Men Tsee Khang Sowa Rigpa Medical College and Hospital organized a guest lecture on the Art of Anatomy in Europe and Tibet in the afternoon of 18th April 2025 at our college hall. And it was indeed an honor to invite Briana Brightly, PhD candidate, Committee on the Study of Religion, from Harvard University, Massachusetts, US, to speak on the given subject. Briana has been in India on a Fulbright scholarship, investigating and researching the creation of anatomical illustrations in 17th-century Tibet and related studies with our College and Materia Medica department of the Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute.

While listening to her lectures, she spoke largely about the origin of dissection and its documented paintings in Europe, and later compared it to the anatomical paintings developed during the 17th to 19th centuries of Sowa Rigpa in Tibet. Her research articulation on the anatomical paintings of Tibetan medicine speaks volumes about the rich literature Tibetan Medicine has and has deterred any influences from European impact. In addition, she explained how such medical paintings have brought together the intersection of Buddhism and the arts in that era. She also cited the importance of understanding such anatomical paintings and their significance in the overall diagnosis process and their treatment modalities.  

Lastly, she engaged with the assembled doctors and colleagues on a wide range of interesting questions about the subject, and despite short reservations from our students, who are mostly in their 1st professional year, it has been an eye-opening and inspiring experience for them to delve deep and further into their medical study. And towards the end, Dr Namdol Lhamo, Vice Principal, presented her with a small gift as a token of gratitude before concluding this intriguing session.