Ancient Pharmacognosy Book by Karmapa (1319)

Background

Over the past 30 years, dozens of ancient and under-researched medical scriptures have been discovered, including a few medicinal books written by Indian and Tibetan scholars and monks from the 8^th and 14^th centuries that had not been studied in Mongolia. One of them is Karmapa Rangbyun rdorje’s “Sman ming rgya mtsho.” Therefore, we conducted this study to analyze and summarize the content of the scripture in addition to translating it from Tibetan. Purpose: First, we translate Karmapa Rangbyun rdorje's “Sman ming rgya mtsho” (Eng: An Ocean of Crude Drug Names) from ancient Tibetan into modern Mongolian, then examine the content of the scripture and clarify Rangbyun rdorje's relationship with the Mongolians through the kings of the Yuan Dynasty.

Methodology

g.Yu thog Yon tan mgon po sogs. sngo 'bum sman gyi gtera mdzad. Karma pa Rang byung rdo rje. Sman ming rgya mtsho, Mi rigs dpe sgrun khang. 2006, 850 mm х 1168 mm. The following research methods were employed: the source study method and the comparative method.

Conclusion

According to the contents of “An Ocean of Crude Drug Names,” written by Rangbyun rdorje in 1319, crude drugs were divided into 11 groups, and within each group, they were further categorized into 10 groups based on their medicinal potency. In the category of drug potency: 40 in precious medicine, 58 in stone medicine, 28 in water medicine, 81 in wood medicine, 15 in nutrient plants, 113 in wood medicine, herbal medicine, and medicinal plants that grow in the plains, 263 in herbal medicine and medicinal plants that grow in fields, 8 in three vehicles (sman rta) of medicine to prefer in general, 21 in salt medicine, 21 in ash medicine and 171 in animal origin medicine group respectively. Their respective medicinal powers were also noted in the book. In the future, it will be necessary to conduct an in-depth study of “An Ocean of Crude Drug Names” by Karmapa Rangbyun rdorje, the primary work on ancient pharmacognosy as old as the hills.