Sowa Rigpa Practitioner
Foundations + 3 Years | 800+ Hours
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE COURSE
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NEXT COHORT BEGINS FALL 2026
(BY APPLICATION)
PRE-REQUISITE: FOUNDATIONS OF SOWA RIGPA
A four-year (Foundations + 3) professional training in Sowa Rigpa based on the Gyud Zhi རྒྱུད་བཞི། (Four Medical Tantras):
Approximately 200 hours of class time each year.
COURSE FORMAT:
IN PERSON COMPONENT:
Four required 5-7 day in-person hands on practical intensives to be completed from year 2.
Topics:
Herbal Medicine Making
Student Clinic
Diagnosis
External Therapies*
Locations:
Kathmandu, Nepal: Sowa Rigpa Wellness Centre
Topanga, California: Pure Land Farms
Tuscany, Italy: Pure Land Farms
Miramar Beach, Florida: Jade Lotus
The 2-year Kunye & External Therapies track fulfills all four in-person requirements for this Practitioner program
Opportunities for supplemental clinical internship and study abroad in Nepal/
(BY APPLICATION)
PRE-REQUISITE: FOUNDATIONS OF SOWA RIGPA
A four-year (Foundations + 3) professional training in Sowa Rigpa based on the Gyud Zhi རྒྱུད་བཞི། (Four Medical Tantras):
Approximately 200 hours of class time each year.
COURSE FORMAT:
Hybrid course format combining:
Approximately 3 hours of prerecorded lectures with expert Sowa Rigpa practitioners and teachers
Weekly live online Zoom sessions and discussion.
Minimum 4 in-person practical intensives*
Students complete a thesis during their fourth year
Approximately 3 hours of prerecorded lectures with expert Sowa Rigpa practitioners and teachers
Weekly live online Zoom sessions and discussion.
Minimum 4 in-person practical intensives*
Students complete a thesis during their fourth year
IN PERSON COMPONENT:
Four required 5-7 day in-person hands on practical intensives to be completed from year 2.
Topics:
Herbal Medicine Making
Student Clinic
Diagnosis
External Therapies*
Locations:
Kathmandu, Nepal: Sowa Rigpa Wellness Centre
Topanga, California: Pure Land Farms
Tuscany, Italy: Pure Land Farms
Miramar Beach, Florida: Jade Lotus
The 2-year Kunye & External Therapies track fulfills all four in-person requirements for this Practitioner program
Opportunities for supplemental clinical internship and study abroad in Nepal/
Topics Covered
Year One: Foundations of Sowa Rigpa
ROOT TANTRA:
Introduction to Sowa Rigpa: Four Tantras and Tanaduk
Health/ balance according to Sowa Rigpa
Disease/ imbalance according to Sowa Rigpa
Sowa Rigpa Diagnostic Techniques
- Observation: Tongue and Urine
- Palpation: Pulse
- Questioning
Sowa Rigpa Methods of Treatment
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Herbs
- External Therapies
Psychology
Spiritual Healing Methods
Introduction to Sowa Rigpa: Four Tantras and Tanaduk
Health/ balance according to Sowa Rigpa
Disease/ imbalance according to Sowa Rigpa
Sowa Rigpa Diagnostic Techniques
- Observation: Tongue and Urine
- Palpation: Pulse
- Questioning
Sowa Rigpa Methods of Treatment
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Herbs
- External Therapies
Psychology
Spiritual Healing Methods
Year Two: Science of Healing & Physical & Energetic Construction of the Human Body
EXPLANATORY TANTRA (Shé Gyü):
Embryology & Anatomy
Formation of the Body
Formation of the Body
Bases of Pathology
Bases of Diagnosis
Bases of Treatment
Diseases of the 3 Nyes pa (Humors) & 7 Constituents
Tsawa (Hot) Disorders
Drangwa (Cold) Disorders
Women & Children's Disorders
Chüdlen (Rejuvenation) & Infertility
Ethics of a Physician
Tsawa (Hot) Disorders
Drangwa (Cold) Disorders
Women & Children's Disorders
Chüdlen (Rejuvenation) & Infertility
Ethics of a Physician
Year Three: Clinical Focus on "Secret Oral Instructions" for specific ailments
INSTRUCTIONAL TANTRA (Men-ngag Gyü):
Neoplastic Disorders:
- 'Bras (Ulcers/Abscesses/Growths)
- Skran (Solid Tumors/Masses)
Internal Medicine: Diagnosis & treatment of
- Sensory Organs Disorders
- Vital Organs Disorders
- Hollow Organ Disorders
Herbal Medicine:
- Clinical application of formulas found in the Instructional Tantra (Men-ngag Gyü)
- Theory of Compounding (Sbyor ba)
- Six Tastes and Eight Potencies in Practice
- Decoctions (Thang), Powders (Phye ma), Pills (Ril bu), Medicinal Butters (Sman mar)
Miscellaneous Disorders: Chapters 73–80 Men-ngag Gyü
- Hoarseness/Loss of Voice (Skad 'dzas)
- Sensory Organs Disorders
- Vital Organs Disorders
- Hollow Organ Disorders
Herbal Medicine:
- Clinical application of formulas found in the Instructional Tantra (Men-ngag Gyü)
- Theory of Compounding (Sbyor ba)
- Six Tastes and Eight Potencies in Practice
- Decoctions (Thang), Powders (Phye ma), Pills (Ril bu), Medicinal Butters (Sman mar)
Miscellaneous Disorders: Chapters 73–80 Men-ngag Gyü
- Hoarseness/Loss of Voice (Skad 'dzas)
- Anorexia/Loss of Appetite (Yi ga 'chus)
- Polydipsia (Skom nad): Excessive thirst
- Hiccups (Skyigs bu)
- Dyspnea/Asthma (Dbug mi bde)
- Acute Abdominal Pain (Gshog pa)
- Worm Infestations (Srin bu)
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
Neoplastic Disorders:
- 'Bras (Ulcers/Abscesses/Growths)
- Skran (Solid Tumors/Masses)
Year Four: Pharmacology, Diagnostics & Professional Application of Sowa Rigpa
SUBSEQUENT TANTRA (Phyima Gyü) & Clinical Practice:
Pulse & Urine Clinical Assessment
Advanced Pharmacology:
- Compounding pills, powders, decoctions & medicinal butters
Advanced Pharmacology:
- Compounding pills, powders, decoctions & medicinal butters
Psychiatry & Provocations:
- Dön (provocation) diseases
- Tibetan medical approach to mental health
- Neurological disorders
External Therapies:
- Moxibustion
- Venesection
- Ku Nyé Tibetan Massage
- Hormé Mongolian Moxibustion
Professional Ethics: The conduct of a physician, ethical practice, and establishing a clinical setting.
- Dön (provocation) diseases
- Tibetan medical approach to mental health
- Neurological disorders
External Therapies:
- Moxibustion
- Venesection
- Ku Nyé Tibetan Massage
- Hormé Mongolian Moxibustion
Professional Ethics: The conduct of a physician, ethical practice, and establishing a clinical setting.
Final Research Project/Thesis: Students must complete a personal research project or thesis on a chosen topic in Sowa Rigpa.
Internship: Completion of clinical hours, often through study abroad opportunities or "medical camps" in Nepal, where students observe and assist senior physicians.
Current Sowa Rigpa Programming
