The country’s first museum on various facets of traditional medicine, Sorig museum, opened in the capital on Thursday. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering graced its inauguration.
An initiative of the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, the facility aims to preserve, promote and advocate the unique system of traditional medicine.
“In this museum, we can see the celestial city of medicine Buddha, (Tanadhug). The medicine trees, display of Thangkas and raw materials which are used in the production of traditional medicine like high altitude and low altitude medicinal herbs and precious medicine like minerals. We can also see the old medical texts which are in classical as well as old prominent figures who contributed to the propagation of traditional medicine in Bhutan,” said Kezang Tshering, an Associate Lecturer at the Faculty of Traditional Medicine in Thimphu.
The facility is also expected to serve as a research centre for the faculty as well as traditional medicine practitioners in the country.
“Thirdly is to sustain the faculty through financial development mainly through tourism. It is mainly aimed for tourist who wishes to learn more and know about the unique culture and heritage, mainly the traditional medicine system, in Bhutan,” he added.
The Faculty of Traditional Medicine is one of the constituent faculties under the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan. It provides education and training in Bhutanese Traditional Medicine, also known as Sowa Rigpa, to both national and international students.
Choni Dema/Tshering Dhendup
