Medicine Buddha: The Healing Master in Buddhism
What if there was a way to ease life’s pain—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too? That’s the gift of the Medicine Buddha.
His teachings go beyond just healing physical illness; they help address the deeper roots of our pain and suffering.
Through simple practices like chanting his mantra or quietly meditating on his image, you can tap into a powerful source of healing and peace.
Curious to explore the healing path of the Medicine Buddha? Let’s dive in.
Who is Medicine Buddha?
The Medicine Buddha, or the Bhaisajyaguru Vaiduryaprabha Raja, translates to "Master of Medicine, King of Lapis Lazuli Light."
His body is depicted as a bright lapis lazuli blue, symbolizing the healing properties of purity and infinite sky.
In Buddhist iconography, the blue color is deeply meaningful. It symbolizes the ancient use of lapis lazuli in treatment and therapy, as well as the clear, calm mind that comes with enlightenment.
He is called the Buddha of healing not only because of his ability to cure diseases but also to help emotional creatures to remove the root causes of the suffering—greed, hatred, and ignorance.
His teachings are based on fixing both the physical body and the spiritual mind, which is a deep route for overall welfare.
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Symbolism and Iconography
The imagery of the Medicine Buddha is rich with deep symbolism, each element representing important aspects of healing, wisdom, and compassion.
|
Symbol |
Description |
Spiritual Meaning |
|
Lapis Lazuli Blue Body |
Deep blue color form |
Healing, purity, wisdom, and infinite healing energy |
|
Left hand Holding Bowl |
Bowl filled with amrita (nectar of immortality) |
Healing of sickness, aging, and death |
|
Right hand holding stem of Arun fruit or Myrobalan |
Medicinal plant |
Physical healing and longevity |
|
Seated posture |
Calm, meditative posture |
Spiritual balance and serene healing focus |
|
Radiant Halo |
Light surrounding the Buddha’s head |
Enlightenment and healing energy |
|
Peaceful expression |
Calm and compassionate face |
Deep empathy and readiness to heal suffering beings |
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The Twelve Great Vows
According to the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra (Medicine Buddha Sutra), the Medicine Buddha made twelve intense vows after receiving knowledge.
These vows are central for his practice and define his role as the Healing Buddha. They include:
- To shine to creatures to take them from darkness to knowledge.
- Providing all beings with basic needs like food, clothes, and shelter.
- Curing all diseases, both physical and mental.
- To guide those who deviate from the virtuous path.
- Helping creatures to obtain moral discipline.
- To heal people with disabilities and deformities.
- Relief from poverty and pain.
- Eliminating the suffering of women, ensuring equality in enlightenment.
- Protect beings from false teachings.
- Helping creatures to overcome harmful habits.
- To fix mental disturbances and guide spiritual awakening.
- Helping creatures at the time of death, ensuring a favorable rebirth or liberation.
These vows and practices make Medicine Buddha one of the most widespread in Mahayana Buddhism, including all aspects of treatment.
The Land of Medicine Buddha
The land of Medicine Buddha, also known as Vaiduryanirbhasa pure land, is described in a scope in Mahayana texts where pain is absent.
This land is made up of lapis lazuli, and its atmosphere is filled with medicinal plants, treatment sounds, and enlightened creatures that help cure diseases and teach religion.
In this pure land, creatures experience the conditions required to achieve complete health, mental clarity, and enlightenment.
Many practitioners aspire to be reborn in the land of the Medicine Buddha. This is a peaceful region where they can continue their spiritual journey, free from disease, pain, and everyday disturbances.
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The Medicine Buddha Mantra
His mantra is recited to call for the medical energy of Bhaisajyaguru. It is:
“TAYATA OM BEKANDZE BEKANDZE MAHA BEKANDZE RADZA SAMUDGATE SOHA”
Meaning of Mantra:
- Tayata: "like this" or "thus"
- Om: Holy syllable representing universal vibrations
- Bekandze Bekandze: "Elimination of the disease; eliminate the disease."
- Maha Backandez: "Eliminate great illness (spiritual pain)."
- Radza Samudgate: "King of Healing"
- Soha: "So this be" or "blessing can settle in the heart."
Practitioners believe that chanting this mantra promotes healing not only for themselves but also for others.
It is widely used in Tibetan Buddhism during medical treatment and spiritual treatment ceremonies.
Medicine Buddha in Tibetan Medicine
In the Tibetan medical tradition, he is considered the source of all healing knowledge. According to legend, he was the first to teach medical treatment to the intelligent sages of Tibet and India.
Even today, doctors of Tibet often chant the Medicine Buddha mantra before preparing or using herbal medicines.
They believe that this practice helps in making the drug more effective, combining spiritual treatment with their medical knowledge.
In Thangka Art
A Medicine Buddha thangka is a sacred painting that shows the Medicine Buddha along with healing symbols and herbs. These thangkas are not just artwork. They serve as visual aids for meditation and focus.
The use of a Medicine Buddha thangka allows practitioners to:
- Meditate on the Buddha’s healing light
- Visualize blue rays dissolving sickness and suffering
- Develop compassion for all beings in need of healing
Keeping a Medicine Buddha thangka at home or in a healing space is a traditional practice in Tibetan Buddhism.
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Modern Relevance of Medicine Buddha
Today, the Medicine Buddha practice is embraced worldwide. By wellness practitioners, healers, and even medical professionals. His teachings promote a holistic approach to healing, integrating:
- Physical well-being
- Emotional balance
- Spiritual clarity
Many Buddhist centers, including retreats like California’s Land of Medicine Buddha, host healing rituals, meditation retreats, and ceremonies to invoke his blessings for both personal and global healing.
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1. What is the Medicine Buddha known for?
The Medicine Buddha is known to heal physical, mental, and spiritual diseases. To guide towards health and enlightenment.
2. What is the land of the Medicine Buddha?
The land of medicine Buddha is a pure land described in Buddhist texts. It is believed that creatures are free from disease and suffering and are dedicated to healing and religious practice.
3. How does the Medicine Buddha mantra help?
The Medicine Buddha Mantra applies healing energies, purifies negative karma, and increases the effectiveness of medical treatment.
4. Why do people keep Medicine Buddha's thangka and statue?
To remind them of healing energy. Also, it constantly reminds us of peace, compassion, health, and mindfulness.
Experience the healing experience of the Medicine Buddha in your everyday life. More than just one symbol, the Medicine Buddha embraces knowledge, compassion, and healing in ways that are beyond the spiritual tradition.
By chanting his mantra, visualizing his cool blue form, or simply keeping a picture or statue nearby, people have tapped into his healing energies for generations.
Visualize his intelligence and kindness, and find out how a small act of devotion can make a real difference for yourself and those whom you care about.
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