Introduction
Modern India is experiencing an unusual and synergetic blend of the traditional and the modern in both domestic as well as in the international arena. On one hand, Indian Information Technology is being hailed as a power to reckon with, and on the other, the traditional Indian knowledge systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, etc. are beginning to be applied seriously. In the last few decades, there has been a wide acceptance of Yoga in western nations and a growing exploration of Ayurveda. More and more people from all over the world are also flocking to India to get the Ayurvedic solution to their health problems. As the demand for Ayurveda is increasing, there is also a corresponding increase in the number of scientists studying and conducting research in the field of Ayurveda.
Problems being faced by persons studying Ayurveda
Though the number of persons studying and conducting research in the field of Ayurveda has increased multifold, there has not been a matching increase to facilitate learning and research in this field. Necessary and efficient tools have not been developed to facilitate easy and correct understanding of the Ayurvedic texts.
Further, it is to be noted that the system of Ayurveda has very strong foundations, both theoretical as well as practical. While the practical foundations are well established, the theoretical foundations based on the other Vedic systems, especially the six systems of Indian philosophy, in the required manner.
Unless the theoretical foundations of any subject is strongly established, it would be impossible for the practice of that subject to stand the test of time and other vagaries and sustain itself in a proper manner. Therefore it is imperative for a comprehensive medical science like Ayurveda to be established on strong theoretical foundations, based on which it can serve the world for a long long time. It is to undertake this very important, difficult and mammoth task that the Centre for Theoretical Foundations was carved out as a separate Department under the school of trans-disciplinary studies of the TDU-FRLHT. Here is a bird’s eye view of the activities of the CTF.
VISION OF THE CENTRE:
- Cataloging, Preserving, and Publication of critical Edition of Unpublished Medical Manuscripts with English Translations
- Strengthening the Theoretical Foundations of Ayurveda
- Conducting Trans-disciplinary studies on the basis of Traditional Knowledge