'Smile' says renowned Tibetan doctor.
Parkdale residents Kunga Tsering, left, and Thupten Wangyal with Parkdale-High Park MP Gerard Kennedy pose with Dr. Pema Dorjee following a discussion on Tibetan Medicine Dr. Dorjee gave at the High Park Library Jan. 29, 2010.
Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
"The most important thing in life is to smile three times a day, sincerely from the heart," was the advice from renowned Tibetan physician Dr. Pema Dorjee.Whether they came to seek counsel for a medical problem or out of interest, Dorjee held a packed room captive with his soft-spoken explanation of traditional Tibetan medicine.On this, his first visit to Canada, Dorjee made time to give a presentation on Tibetan medicine at the High Park Library on Jan. 28."I really love to share what I understand with the people," Dorjee said. "I really know Tibetan medicine is really helping." Dorjee arrived from Bahamas via New York on Jan. 22. He gave several talks in Toronto: at the Canadian Tibetan Association, Forest Grove United Church and Immanuel Toronto Korean United Church, the University of Toronto and the talk at the High Park Library, which was organized by Parkdale-High Park MP Gerard Kennedy. Dorjee also gave talks in Ottawa at Carleton University and The Wakefield Mills in Wakefield, Quebec."It is the wish of the Dalai Lama to preserve ancient Tibetan medical culture, (which) is why he established (the Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Institute of His Holiness The Dalai Lama) in 1961 in Dharamshala, India," Dorjee explained in an interview.Based on the centuries-old Buddhist study of the mind, Tibetan medicine is one of the oldest and most comprehensive medical systems in existence. It is a holistic philosophy that seeks to maintain the harmonious operation and balance of energies."Tibetan medicine is part-and-parcel of Tibetan culture and Tibetan people have lived for the last 2,500 years with this system of medicine. I think it is necessary for Tibetan people in the west, not only in Canada," Dorjee said.Tibetan medical theory revolves around five elements: earth, water, fire, wind and space, and Dorjee detailed the importance of coming to understand joy and suffering and of food and lifestyle.But his main message to listeners was as follows: "Think before you speak, think before you eat, think before you act and think before you decide. So that there will be no misuse, disuse and overuse of your eating, thinking, acting and deciding.""In my own experience, Tibetan medicine is helping many, many people suffering from chronic diseases," Dorjee said.Dorjee lives in India where he is the chief advisor at the Tibetan Medicine and Astrology Institute of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He has written several books and numerous articles on Tibetan medicine. Medicine is a field, which he was able to study thanks to the generosity of a Canadian named Dan Lock."Wherever he is, I still remember his sponsorship," Dorjee said. "He was very gracious to me and was my sponsor for medical college."He lost touch with this sponsor; but Dorjee said he continues to look for him.Although the purpose of his trip to Canada was to deliver public talks about Tibetan medicine, he did give a number of consultations, both after talks and by appointment at the apartment he was staying at on Jameson Avenue in Parkdale."As a part of culture, the communities are absolutely in need of Tibetan medicine. There are so many people requesting for me to check their pulse and diagnosing them," he said. "It is not only dispensing medicine, but I think this type of talk should be organized in other areas."He said it is important this medical system is practiced in the west, adding some people who are sick and do not have access to Tibetan medicine go to India.