Tibetan medicine: features of bioethical and ethical concepts

The article presents Tibetan views on the key problems of medical ethics, based on the materials of Tibetan sources, mainly on the 31st chapter of the second volume of rGyud bzhi (the 12 century). The aim of the study is an attempt to review medieval Tibetan medical ethics in the context of ethical models of modern medicine. It is shown that the ethical norms of the Tibetan physician's activities, unlike the often transformed European ethical principles, have remained absolutely unchanged for several centuries, and are still practiced. Particular attention is paid to six types of relationship between the Tibetan physician and the patient; although, they bear significant similarities to European models, specific approaches to solving some problems differ. The attitude of Tibetans to euthanasia and abortion that was seriously influenced by the Buddhist teachings on karma, reincarnation, is analyzed in detail. It is concluded that despite the corporate, paternalistic nature of the ancient medical ethics of Tibet in general, there is an obligatory true informing of the patient about the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease that recalls one of the basic principles of modern bioethics.

history of medicine, rGyud bzhi, Tibetan medicine, bioethics, medical ethics, Tibet, Tibetans