Sonam Qimei- Inheritor of Tibetan medicine (mercury cleansing and refining techniques) in Lhasa, Tibet
Sonam Qimei (索朗其美) is a renowned figure in the field of Tibetan medicine, specifically for his expertise in the mercury cleansing and refining techniques of the Northern School of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa. Born in 1962 in Dege County (德格县), Sichuan Province, China, he is an influential Tibetan medical professional, educator, and researcher. He holds a Master’s degree and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Sonam Qimei is currently serving as the Director of the Tibetan Medicine Science and Technology Research Institute at Tibet University of Tibetan Medicine (西藏藏医学院), as well as an Associate Professor and Master’s thesis advisor. He is also a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project related to Tibetan Medicine, particularly focusing on the mercury cleansing and refining techniques in the Northern School [3-4][7].
Personal Information
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Name: Sonam Qimei (索朗其美)
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Nationality: Chinese
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Ethnicity: Tibetan
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Place of Birth: Dege County, Sichuan Province (四川德格县)
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Date of Birth: 1962
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Field of Expertise: Tibetan Medicine (including mercury cleansing and refining techniques from the Northern School of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa, as well as Renqing Changjue compound formulation)
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Notable Works:
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Paper: “On the Five Elements and Their Functions in Tibetan Medicine“
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Table of Contents
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Personal Experience
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Current Roles
1. Personal Experience
Sonam Qimei began his professional journey in 1981 and later joined the Tibet University of Tibetan Medicine (西藏藏医学院) in 1991. In 2001, he was appointed as an Associate Professor in the Tibetan Medicine Department. His academic and practical achievements are deeply influenced by his uncle, the famous Tibetan medicine expert Tso Ru Tsai Lang (措如·才朗), who became his mentor. Sonam Qimei was fortunate to study under him, benefiting greatly from his teachings and wisdom, particularly in the fields of Tibetan medicine and Tibetan astrology (历算学). Sonam Qimei is considered the only direct academic successor of his uncle, making him a key figure in the transmission of Tibetan medical knowledge.
Sonam Qimei was also part of the first generation of Master’s degree graduates in Tibetan medicine in Tibet, further enhancing his credentials in this ancient medical system. In his academic career, he has contributed significantly to research and publications in the field, including projects related to traditional Tibetan medicinal formulas and high-altitude diseases. One of his most notable projects includes the collection of secret remedies for treating difficult diseases using traditional Tibetan medicine, which he led in 2017, organizing nearly a hundred traditional Tibetan prescriptions [5].
2. Current Roles
Sonam Qimei holds several prestigious positions in the field of Tibetan medicine and academia:
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Director of the Tibetan Medicine Science and Technology Research Institute at Tibet University of Tibetan Medicine (西藏藏医学院).
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Associate Professor and Master’s thesis advisor at Tibet University of Tibetan Medicine.
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Representative of the 8th People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
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Century-Long Discipline Leader for the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区跨世纪学科带头人).
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Guest Professor at the Tibetan Medicine School of Dharamsala, UK.
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Visiting Researcher at the Tibetan Medicine Research Institute of Peking University (北京大学藏医研究所).
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Visiting Researcher at the Tibetan Medicine Research Institute of Minzu University of China (中央民族大学藏医研究所).
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Guest Professor at the Qinghai Tibetan Medicine Institute (青海省藏医学院) and the Sichuan Tibetan Medicine School (四川省藏校) [1-2].
In addition to his academic and teaching roles, Sonam Qimei has played a key part in modernizing and preserving traditional Tibetan medical knowledge, especially in relation to Tibetan pharmacology and mercury refinement techniques. His contributions extend beyond Tibet, as he continues to collaborate with international institutions and promote Tibetan medicine worldwide.
