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"Om Namo Aryavalokiteshvaraya Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Maha Karunikaya Om Sarva Abhaya!"

Ayurvedic Medicine Study Tips at the Ayurveda Healing Arts Institute

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The study of Ayurvedic Medicine represents a substantial portion of the Ayurveda Healing Arts Institute curriculum.  To help students assimilate the material required to utilize Ayurvedic Medicine theories, acupressure marma points and techniques, and herbology knowledge, we recommend the following:

1.     Study class material prior to the class lecture. This will allow you to have your questions ready for clarification during class.

2.     Pay attention in class and use class time to assimilate as much as possible.

3.     Utilize the memory aids of previous students or create your own mnemonics.  Tutors can be helpful; use them.

4.     Join a study group.  The sense of camaraderie will inspire you to stay current with your studies and it adds to the fun, too.

Additionally, we believe that the following quotes from the Ayurvedic Classic texts Charaka Samhita from 200 B.C. should be your guide as a student.

A physician should be kind and compassionate to all patients, providing each with appropriate, specific treatment.

A physician should have extensive theoretical and practical knowledge and, having studied under a well-experienced physician, possess a complete understanding of the etiology, symptomatology, pathology, specific individual treatment and prevention of disease.

- Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter Nine

A wise person desiring to become a physician should first examine the system being taught, its authenticity, completeness and applicability.

Thereafter, one should examine the teacher. The teacher should possess a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the science, have extensive experience in practice, be skillful, friendly, pure, compassionate, fatherly to students, and capable of infusing understanding.

Having decided, approached the teacher with respect and been accepted, a student should engage in study seriously; wake up early, finish morning routines and spiritual practices; pay respect to saints, sages, preceptors, elders, the teacher and all beings. The student should then make efforts to comprehend, clearly express, and discuss the knowledge by studying the information already acquired, entering deeply in contemplation in order to completely understand the meaning and the applications. In this way the student should continue the study without wasting time in midday, afternoon and evening.

- Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthanam, Chapter Eight

A completely dedicated student should conserve vital energies, speak the truth, refrain from envy and anger, observe non-violence and eat a vegetarian diet. The student should act without ego, jealousy, ambition or self-praise, never making an exhibition of knowledge and act with care, affection, and compassion.

The student's appearance should be clean and modest and speech should be pleasant, pure and truthful, never speaking ill or backbiting, using useful and measured words.

The student should not even think of committing adultery or covet another's property and should not smoke, , alcohol or any mind-altering substances except under the supervision of a physician.

The student's behavior should never directly or indirectly cause harm to the teacher, the school or others.

- Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthanam, Chapter Eight