Tibetan Sowa Rigpa at Risk as Student Enrollment and Jobs Decline

According to Tibet Express, the ancient medical tradition of Sowa Rigpa faces a critical survival crisis. While Dr. Dorjee Damdul recently received the prestigious Yuthok Award for his academic contributions, he warned of a bleak future. Stricter entrance exams and mass migration to the West have left many medical seats empty across India. Compounding the issue, major institutions like Men-Tsee-Khang have suspended guaranteed job placements due to severe financial strain. This leaves graduates struggling to balance cultural preservation with economic survival. Without structural support, this healing heritage risks losing both practitioners and autonomy.