[The four genres of Sman Thang in Tibetan medicine].

Abstract

Sman thang, the graphic drawings of Tibetan medicine, was completed by Desi Sangye Gyatso at the end of the 17th century. Its content was based mainly on Blue Lapislazuli (Lan Liu Li), the annotated version of Rgyud bzhi (Si Bu Yi Dian). It drew references from many classic medical books, such as Ashtanga Hridaya (Ba Zhi Xin Yao) and Lunar King (Yue Wang Yao Zhen), involving the content of Tibetan medicine on physiology, pathology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, with 80 drawings in total. Sman thang was, therefore, taken as the first reference learning material by the Tibetan medicine learners for a long time. With the Sman thang stereotyping and dissemination after the 18^th century, Tibetan medical education had been further developed. With the innovation of traditional Tibetan medicine teaching, the genres of Sman thang tended to be diversified into flip charts, long form books, wall paintings, xylographs and other forms, adapting to the needs at different stages, places and for various people. These genres of Sman thang broadened the scope of Tibetan medicine education and played an important role in promoting the development of Tibetan medicine.