Dharamshala: CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay chaired the 10th Body, Mind and Life Conference on Mental Health Care for the Elderly held today at Men-Tsee-Khang.
The conference is dedicated to the elder generation, who have worked tirelessly to provide a meaningful life for their children while they may have gone through issues like reduced mobility, health issues, loss of dignity and respect, bereavement and so forth which can cause them isolation, loneliness or psychological distress, etc. Therefore, this conference is a sincere endeavour towards promoting and nurturing the wellness of their mental health.
Esteemed guests including representatives of respected monasteries, Secretary of Department of Health, CTA, Board of Directors of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute and other representatives attended the ceremonial opening.
Key speakers consisting of experts of Buddhist Psychology, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), Tibetan Astro-science, Western Medical Science, Ayurveda, Unani, Sidda, Yoga Therapy, and Homeopathy will speak at the conference. More than 250 participants from around the world have gathered to discuss and deliberate on the theme of the conference ‘Mental Health Care for the Elderly’. The conference will see the exchange of perspectives from different expertise on the aforementioned theme.
The Department of Body, Mind and Life’s head Tenzin Choeying delivered an introductory note about similar conferences held in the preceding years.
Chief Guest Dr Lobsang Sangay in his commencement speech lauded the Department of Body, Mind, and Life for successfully launching the 10th conference. He congratulated the Director and faculty of the Department for successfully sustaining the Department over the years since its establishment in the year 2013.
Dr Sangay further spoke about the success story of the exiled Tibetans in regard to the preservation and promotion of their culture and tradition globally. He narrated the events of 1959-1960 when under the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan schools, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Monastic Institutes and Mentseekhang were established and today all these institutes are flourishing around the globe. Dr Sangay credited the success and accomplishments of Tibetans in the last 60 years to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The President further spoke about the Mental health issue that has significantly increased among young adults and elderly people. He expressed his gratitude to the experts from various medical fields for addressing this important issue today.
He demonstrated that Tibetan science of medicine called Sowa Rigpa is one of the oldest traditions of medicine which the Tibetans have well preserved till date.
Deeming the importance of collaboration between Tibetan Medicine and other medical systems, President Sangay said, “We have the knowledge and expertise, what we need is infrastructure and resources so that we can sustain the age-old medical tradition more efficiently and further help people around the world”. He then launched a book on Body, Mind, and Life in Tibetan.
The Body, Mind and Life department was established in 2013 with the sole aim of practising the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which emphasises the significance of Mental Health Care The institute draws its inspiration from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s solid stand for the hygiene of mind and emotions.
The three-day conference is being organised by the Department of Body, Mind, and Life from 8-10 October 2019.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with faculty of Body, Mind and Life department of Mentseekhang and key speakers of the Body, Mind and Life Conference on Mental Health Care for the Elderly. Photo/OHHDL
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the key speakers of the conference and faculty of Body, Mind and Life department. Photo/OHHDL
Chief guest of the ceremony, Dr Lobsang Sangay launching a book on Body, Mind and Life in Tibetan. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
The experts of various medical systems seated in the front at the inaugural ceremony of Body, Mind and Life conference. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 10th Body, Mind and Life Conference on Mental Health Care for the Elderly at MentseeKhang, Dharamshala on 8 October 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Participants of the conference listening to the address by President Dr Sangay. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA