The Aesthetic Views in the Works of Sümbe Khamba Ishbaljir

Abstract

Background: Sumpa mkhanpo Ye shes dpal ’byor (1704-1788) was a prominent scholar in 18th-century Mongolian medicine, culture, and thought, who developed a comprehensive philosophy integrating the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. His four clinical works, written between 1751 and 1785 and later known as the Four Medicinal Elixirs, addressed not only diseases but also human beauty, ethics, hygiene, and physical well-being, reflecting a concept of “inner aesthetics.” Ye shes dpal ’byor regarded external features such as appearance, scent, hair, and voice as inseparably linked to the balance of internal organs, psychological and intellectual states, and hygienic practices, in accordance with the Tibetan medical theory of the three humours. He viewed cosmetic treatments not merely as enhancements of physical appearance but as practices supporting psychological health, social awareness, and moral development. He emphasised the holistic care of children from early life, detailing methods to improve complexion, cultivate intelligence, assign meaningful names, and reinforce virtues, illustrating his systematic approach to human development. Furthermore, his work The White Dew of Medicinal Elixir documents surgical correction of cleft lips in children, representing the earliest written record of cosmetic surgery in Mongolia and demonstrating a creative integration of Chinese medical knowledge with local medicinal resources and practices. Thus, Sumpa mkhanpo Ye shes dpal ’byor uniquely combined knowledge of aesthetics and clinical medicine, implementing innovative concepts in Mongolian traditional medicine. His approach linked beauty treatments with personal value, mental health, social conscience, and ethical cultivation, grounded in a philosophy of the “unity of body, speech, and mind,” and established a framework for integrating health, aesthetics, morality, and quality of life in Mongolian medical thought.