Ayurvedic Philosophy

Ayurveda is a word from the Sanskrit language, literally meaning the ‘science or knowledge of life’. It is a study of all facets of life during the journey from birth to death. Ayurveda is a health science, which has been recognised by the World Health Organisation. In India the highly regarded Ayurvedic degree course (B.A.M.S) takes up to 6 years to complete and involves traditional and contemporary medical subjects ranging from Herbal Medicine to Ayurvedic surgery to Gerontology (the study of ageing and life extension).

Ayurveda, with its holistic focus on health, is now being sought after outside of its home in India, from countries Holland and Russia to the USA, Japan and Australia. The study of Ayurveda holds much appeal for those interested in Health studies, because it fills the gaps and expands the range of health assessment and therapeutic means available to our current health care system. Moreover, Ayurveda is a science allied to and emanating from Vedic learning which seeks to assure the fulfilment of all aims in life. Ayurveda is an enlightened approach to health.

Ayurvedic Doctor – A Brief Introduction

Ayurveda doctor/ Ayurvedacharya or Vaidya is a term used for those persons who have earned their bachelor degree in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery (BAMS). This degree in traditional medicine is, unlike those in many parts of the world, the hardest to come by and is equivalent in duration and curriculum to allopathic or the modern medicine degree in India.

Entrance into the BAMS course in Ayurveda is available to students with the required pre-requisites in physics, chemistry, zoology and botany who must then pass the State entrance examination, the Combined Premedical Test.

Prior to the National Independence of India in 1947, Ayurvedic Colleges were operating in India and issuing a qualification recognized by a board of Ayurvedic medicine. Earlier to this time, the learning in Ayurveda was obtained through a Gurukula system where students would spend years training under recognized experts in the field.

Even before the above mentioned Board certification system, Gurukula educations were prevalent in India. Gurukula are the equivalent of modern residential school or college complexes with the chief difference in method of education. In the Gurukula tradition of education, the student and teachers lived together and all the practical and theoretical teaching is imparted by the experts. The students observed celibacy and devoted wholeheartedly to the cause of learning.

Ayurveda is taught now in colleges and like all other kind of schooling, college and university education, both boys and girls receive the Ayurveda degree (BAMS). After 1961-62, the BAMS was converted into a degree while the course duration remained same. And the syllabus and curriculum was centralized by Central Council of Indian Medicine. BAMS degree is now awarded by a University.

The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM)) is the official body responsible for recognizing all bona fide degree holders in Ayurveda and Schools of Ayurvedic learning. The public can then be assured that when they consult with an Ayurvedic Doctor recognized by CCIM that they are consulting with an authentic, reputable and properly trained Ayurvedic professional. Students of Ayurveda must also seek the same level of training and standards for any teacher of Ayurveda outside of India.