Medical-tantric practices in the Yuthok Heart Essence

Michele Comelli – Department of Asian and North African Studies (DSAAM), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (2023-present)

Recipient of a PhD scholarship funded by the UBI Research Center.

Michele Comelli’s research project explores the spiritual and medical practices known as mendrub (sman sgrub) within the Tibetan anthology Yuthok Heart Essence (g.yu thog snying thig), attributed to Sumton Yeshe Zung (12th century). These practices aim to ritually consecrate medicines through tantric visualizations and yogic meditations, transforming natural compounds into “nectar” (bdud rtsi) for long life.

The research is focused on the role of Zurkhar Nyamnyi Dorje (1439-1475?) in systematizing and developing such practices, as well as introducing new ones. The goal is a historical-philological analysis of the evolution of mendrub practices from the 12th to the 17th century, with particular attention to their symbolic and religious components, ritual formulas, key texts, and commentaries.

The project includes the collection and translation of primary texts, the analysis of ritual symbolism, and, if possible, interviews with contemporary practitioners of this tradition. The research will contribute to a deeper understanding of premodern Tibetan Buddhist medicine and its interconnections with the Nyingma and Karma Kagyü traditions.