Introduction
Study Centre PaKua aims to bring to the attention of the TCM community one of the most authentic styles of acupuncture: Acupuncture according to the philosophy of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. In doing so we wish to preserve this style for future generations of practitioners, as well as spread knowledge of this unique and relatively unknown form of acupuncture in the wider TCM community. We also intend to stimulate research into further development of this style of treatment. (continue reading…)
Study Centre PaKua
The recent history of acupuncture according to the philosophy of stems and branches begins with a memorable person, Dr. J.D. van Buren (November 27th 1921 – May 12th 2003) who was responsible for reconstructing this form of acupuncture singlehandedly.
Joan Duveen and Peter van Kervel in particular have continued to spread the teaching of Stems and Branches and thus carry the torch of the late Dr. van Buren’s legacy. In 1988, they founded Study Centre PaKua in the Netherlands for this purpose, as well as for promoting the study of Chinese philosophy in relationship to the practice of medicine. (continue reading…)
Classical sources
Study Centre PaKua also aims to initiate research and post-graduate courses on the subject of the philosophical roots of TCM as they are described in the classics. Throughout our professional field at the present time, we see a renewed interest in the classical sources of TCM, as well as for the many styles and schools which have given practical shape to these source theories over the past centuries. Across the board within the TCM community there is an increasing trend to re-examine the standardized form of TCM ,which has become so popular during the last decades. At the same time there seems to be more of an appreciation for the original character of diversity and pluralism of Chinese medicine, and a willingness to explore this wealth of vision with an open mind. Study Centre PaKua hopes to contribute to making that visionary wealth accessible by offering post-graduate courses which take this open, explorative attitude as their first criterion. (continue reading…)