Disease-Causing Spirits, Drib, and Ritual: A Visual Analysis of non-Buddhist Traditions in the Tibetan Blue Beryl Medical Paintings

This thesis delves into the intersection of Buddhism, medicine, and art through the lens of seventeenth-century Tibetan paintings known as the Blue Beryl series. These intricate artworks not only serve as repositories of medical knowledge but also reflect the cultural, religious, and political values of their time. Central to these paintings is the representation of indigenous Tibetan perspectives on spirit-caused illnesses, which focus on the existence of elemental spirits deeply rooted in local beliefs and landscapes. The research aims to investigate the indigenous Tibetan beliefs surrounding spirit causation and illness as depicted in the Blue Beryl paintings, offering a deeper understanding of these often misconstrued spiritual entities. By closely analyzing the iconography within these artworks, the study seeks to unveil the presence and significance of non-Buddhist beliefs and practices within Tibetan psychiatry, shedding light on a less-explored aspect of Tibetan medicine and...Show moreThis thesis delves into the intersection of Buddhism, medicine, and art through the lens of seventeenth-century Tibetan paintings known as the Blue Beryl series. These intricate artworks not only serve as repositories of medical knowledge but also reflect the cultural, religious, and political values of their time. Central to these paintings is the representation of indigenous Tibetan perspectives on spirit-caused illnesses, which focus on the existence of elemental spirits deeply rooted in local beliefs and landscapes. The research aims to investigate the indigenous Tibetan beliefs surrounding spirit causation and illness as depicted in the Blue Beryl paintings, offering a deeper understanding of these often misconstrued spiritual entities. By closely analyzing the iconography within these artworks, the study seeks to unveil the presence and significance of non-Buddhist beliefs and practices within Tibetan psychiatry, shedding light on a less-explored aspect of Tibetan medicine and spirituality.Show less

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Disease-Causing Spirits, Drib, and Ritual: A Visual Analysis of non-Buddhist Traditions in the Tibetan Blue Beryl Medical Paintings