Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine (대한통합의학회지)

Korean Society of Integrative Medicine (대한통합의학회)
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Review of Chakra Systems Based on Tibetan Medical Literature: Focus on Indian and Tibetan Chakra

티베트 의학 문헌에 기반한 차크라 시스템 비교 연구 : 인도와 티베트 차크라를 중심으로

  • Youn-Kyung Jun (Zentherapy Natural Healing Center)
  • 전윤경 ((주)젠테라피 네츄럴 힐링센터)
  • Received : 2024.07.10
  • Accepted : 2024.08.09
  • Published : 2024.08.31
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Abstract

Purpose : In this study, we aimed to explore the concept of chakra in Tibetan medicine, elucidate its unique characteristics, and assess the differences between the Tibetan and Indian chakra systems to enhance the understanding of the Tibetan chakra system. Methods : Here, relevant on Tibetan medicine and chakra system were collected from Google Scholar and Korean Academic Information Databases and meticulously analyzed. Moreover, number of main chakras, characteristics of the five elements, and principles of each chakra system were evaluated. Results : Development and precise location of chakras are extensively detailed in Tibetan medicine, indicating an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the chakra system. The Indian chakra system consists of seven chakras, whereas the Tibetan chakra system is composed of five chakras. Tibetan medicine focuses on three distinct energy elements, Lung, Tripa, and Beken, corresponding to the lower, middle, and upper sections of the body, respectively, with each exhibiting different arrangements and functions for each chakra in the Tibetan chakra system compared to those in the Indian chakra system. Furthermore, Tibetan medicine adheres to Buddhist principles, which attribute diseases to mental causes, thus exhibiting therapeutic potential for psychosomatic illnesses. Conclusion : Owing to the distinct and significant differences between the two chakra systems, the five chakras of the Tibetan system are challenging to conceptualize using the Indian framework of seven chakras. Hence, comprehensive understanding of the Tibetan culture and medicine is necessary to elucidate the Tibetan chakra system. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence for the existence of chakra and highlights the attributes of two key chakra systems, thereby providing valuable insights for energy medicine based on the intricate energy pathways of the body.

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