Better than any Doctor

Abstract

Himalayan peoples bathe in hot springs for medical and spiritual therapy. Included in local myths, hot springs are natural features that form a part of cultural memory and are social, cultural, religious, and medical venues. They also represent the tension between economic growth and environmental protection and, consequently, the competition between different parts of people’s identities. By analyzing religious, historical, and medical texts in combination with biographical accounts, a comprehensive picture of the cultural and religious significance of hot springs in the Himalayas is presented. The focus lies on Buddhist influenced societies within the Tibetan Cultural Area which are those parts in the Himalayas that have been influenced by Tibetan culture