Training

At present there are only three centers in India that impart Tibetan medical education. The TMAI headquarters at Dharmasala constitutes the main research and medical center, where Tibetan medicine and astrology are taught to students from India, Bhutan, Tibet and even Mongolia. 

The TMAI has hostel facilities for both boys and girls. Besides this, the Changpori Tibetan Medical Institute at Darjeeling, and the Benares Tholop (Tholop is Tibetan for `college') at Varanasi also conduct courses in Tibetan Medicine.

Eligibility

Candidates who have successfully completed their School Leaving Certificate Examination in either the arts or the sciences, with a minimum aggregate of 80%, are eligible to apply for admission. Proficiency in the Tibetan language is essential, as it is the medium of instruction.

Criteria for admission include performance in a written test of Tibetan language and grammar, and a personal interview.

Duration of Training

Due to a shortage of qualified teachers, and inadequate infrastructure, a fresh batch is admitted only after the previous course has been completed (i.e. every six years).

Training periods at various levels of qualification are:

· Graduate Degree Course. 7 years, inclusive of a years internship period.

· Postgraduate Degree Course: 7 years, inclusive of 2 years in-house training.

· Researchers' Degree. may take as long as 6 or 7 years to obtain.

Course Fee

In an attempt to encourage the proliferation of this ancient science, the course is heavily subsidized. Hence no fees are charged for boarding and lodging. Scholarships from the Dalai Lama Fund are also available to promising students.

Academic Programme

Students of Tibetan medicine are required to master four teachings, namely:

· The Root Tantra
· Explanatory Tantra
· Oral Traditional Tantras 
· The Last Tantras

The different levels of qualification in Tibetan medicine are:

· Kachupa which is equivalent to an MBBS.

· Mennampa Chungwa, also called Junior Mennampa a higher degree course specializing in pharmacy.

· Mennampa Chewa or Senior Mennampa, for those who opt for research.

· Tsojhe Lopon Chemo, literally, `Great Saviour Teachers is a title conferred on those who have crossed the Mennampa Chewa stage, and undertake research with a view to furthering the cause of Tibetan medicine. It may require as many as 35 years of dedication to attain this title. Such teachers are appointed personal physicians to the Dalai Lama, a position of the highest regard and prestige.