New Books in Early Modern History Janet Gyatso, Being Human in a Buddhist World: An Intellectual History of Medicine in Early Modern Tibet (Columbia University Press, 2015)
Dec 18, 2015
Janet Gyatso, a historian, discusses the interplay between Buddhist ways of knowing and scientific research in early modern Tibet. She explores the history of medicine, the significance of intricate paintings, the connection between Buddhism, medicine, and the state, and the challenges of reconciling traditional knowledge with dissection. Additionally, she highlights the complex relationship between gender and medicine, including the concept of a third sex. The episode concludes with a discussion on the author's book and future plans.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Medical Paintings and the Desi
- The Desi Sangye Gyatso, regent of the 5th Dalai Lama, commissioned a set of 79 medical paintings.
- These tonkas, with no known precedents, depict Tibetan medicine in detail, possibly reflecting a turn towards empiricism in the 17th century.
Interpreting the Paintings
- The medical paintings, by filling in visual details absent in texts, reveal the artists' interpretations of Tibetan life and medicine.
- These details, like facial expressions and costumes, suggest a focus on individuality, reflecting modern sensibilities within a pre-modern context.
Medical Mentality
- The Desi's criticism of his predecessor, Zurkharwa, within a biography, was a breach of etiquette.
- This candid approach may reflect medical ethics prioritizing factual accuracy over deference to authority.