Traditional community role of the Astro-practitioner
By Jhampa Kalsang
Tsipa Kachupa, Lecturer
"Astronomy and astrology have been harmoniously blended with medical knowledge for more than 2,300 years within the Tibetan culture. In order to understand and master such a unique combination, one should have a basic knowledge of both Astro. Science and Tibetan Medicine. However, to become a master astro-practitioner, one naturally places more emphasis on the study of astrology and astronomy. At the Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute in India, astro-practitioners are trained in a five-year programme of closely supervised practice.
Tibetan Astro. Science encompasses three main subjects: Kartsi or white calculation, Nagtsi or black calculation, and yang char. Kartsi can be likened to the Western field of astronomy as it includes the study of the planets and stars, and involves a great deal of mathematical calculation. Nagtsi is similar to the Western field of astrology, and may be defined as the study of elemental relations in the context of son to mother or friend to enemy. No calculations are required in Nagtsi and it is generally a more interpretive field than Kartsi. The third subject of study is yang char, which literally means "arising vowels" arid is actually a secret Tantric practice within the Kartsi Category. Kartsi is mainly derived from two Indian sources: the Sri Kalachakra Tantra and the Arising from the Sarodhaya Tantra as taught by Lord Shiva. Nagtsi shares many features with the classical Chinese system of element relations and calculations. Birth horoscopes are cast using calculations from the kartsi, nagtsi, and yang char systems.
The active role of a Tibetan astro--practitioner in his/her own community is featured especially during important life events such as 1) the birth of a child; 2) the time of marriage; 3) when an illness does not respond to regular treatments, and 4) death. Astro-practitioners are also consulted during other times of change such as moving from one residence to another and beginning an important project or journey.
There are several reasons why it is wise to consult an astro-practitioner at these times. When a child, is born, Tibetan parents are very eager to know about the child's future. Hence the parents visit an astro-practitioner and ask him or her to make a birth chart, or horoscope. In Tibetan communities many parents are guided by the birth chart, especially as it concerns the plans for the child's education, the occupational field they are best suited for and whether the monastic or religious life is one that they should be encouraged to follow. If the birth chart predictions are unfavourable, an antidote for preventing mishaps will be prescribed. The antidote is often in the form of a prayer that is appropriate to the particular unfavourable situation. The parents may also be required to give alms to poor and needy people.
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Tibetan people will often obtain advice from astro-practitioners when they want to change residence, start an important project, begin a journey, or attain smooth and peaceful achievement of their goals. Once more, it is within the role of the astro-practitioner to give guidance in determining the favourable time and day for any important transition. If an unavoidable and unfavourable event has commenced, antidotes will be suggested such as reading holy texts and giving alms to the poor and needy.
In conclusion, whenever Tibetans need guidance in either the major or minor transitions of life, they are likely to consult a traditional astro-practitioner. In this way, astro-practitioners continue to occupy an important role in many Tibetan communities, in much the same manner as they have done for thousands of years."
more at: http://tibet.com/Med_Astro/astro1.html
and here on Tibetan Muslims
http://tibet.com/Muslim/tibetan-muslim.html
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