Difference between TCM and Buddhist Medicine
I understand that there are some differences between the Traditional Chinese Medicine practiced in the mainland today and the Buddhist Monks medicine that has been passed down through various kung fu lineages.
Can anyone tell me some of the differences between TCM and Chinese Buddhist medicine?
Please let me hear from those of you who know.
The difference is the C in TCM
There are many schools of Buddhist medicine, so it's a much broader field. I imagine the question was targeted at Chinese Buddhist medicine. Shaolin is particularly renown for this; it's one of the things that I have been trying to spotlight in my research - see my Shaolin Special 2005 cover story, Shaolin Trinity: Shaolin Monk Shi Dejian Discusses the Three Treasures.
But it's not all about China. Even in that article, I allude to other Buddhist medicine schools, like the Tibetan Medicine Buddha and the connection of Thai Massage to Buddha's personal physician Jivaka. I've heard of other schools, particularly connections to Aryuveda and Hindu medicine traditions, but Tibet's and Thailand's are the most prominent in the west. I've even heard of Buddhist connections to Reiki and other healing systems.