Medicine Buddha Statue

Author : Peter Vredeveld

Who is Medicine Buddha?

Medicine Buddha is popularly known as Bhaisayaguru in Sanskrit. He is best described in the Medicine Buddha sutra as the Buddha who took 12 great vows after the attainment of the Enlightenment. He is also regarded as the Buddha of the eastern pure land of Vaiduryanirbhasaor Pure Lapis Lazuli. Mostly, he is attended by two other bodhisattvas, Suryaprabha and Chandraprabha, symbolizing the light of the sun and the light of the moon, respectively.

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Attributes and Symbolism

1. The Right Hand: The Medicine Buddha's right hand is extended downward, with the palm facing outward in the varada mudra, a gesture of granting boons or blessings. This gesture symbolizes the Buddha's vow to help those in need and relieve their suffering.
    
2. The Left Hand: The left hand, resting on his lap, holds a bowl filled with medicinal nectar or herbs, a potent symbol of the healing aspect of his practice. This bowl, often depicted as the vessel containing the elixir of immortality, represents the Medicine Buddha's profound power to cure both physical and spiritual ailments, instilling a sense of hope and reassurance in those who seek his healing.
    
3. The Aura and Adornments: The Medicine Buddha's radiant aura or halo surrounds him, signifying his enlightened state. The statue may also be adorned with intricate patterns and designs, emphasizing its sacred and revered nature.

Medicine Buddha's 12 great vows

Medicine Buddha took twelve great vows after attaining Enlightenment. These vows are mentioned in the Medicine Buddha which are as follows:

• To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.
• To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.
• To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.
• To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.
• To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.
• To heal beings born with deformities, illness, or other physical sufferings.
• To help relieve the needy and the sick.
• To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.
• To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.
• To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
• To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.
• To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.

The practice of Medicine Buddha Healing

Regarding the school of Buddhism, Medicine Buddha is mainly venerated in Mahayana Buddhism and its form. He is regarded as the Buddha of healing and medicine in this Buddhism. Therefore, the Buddhist monks and followers venerate the Buddha to ease one's illness and suffering. They also practice Medicine Buddha's healing method to increase healing powers for oneself and others.

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In Chinese Buddhism, the Buddhists recite the mantra of Medicine Buddha to overcome mental, physical, and spiritual problems. Not only the mantra, but the people also recite the name of the Medicine Buddha. However, the practice in Tibetan Buddhism is quite different. It is seen that the practitioner allows the patient to recite the long Medicine Buddha mantra 108 times over a glass of water. After completing the recitation, the patient is allowed to drink the water, believing that the power of the mantra and the Medicine Buddha now blesses the water. This practice is continued until the illness is cured. These practices have been conducted before the Medicine Buddha statues or in a calm and peaceful place.

Medicine Buddha in Buddhist arts

Due to the belief in having a healing capacity, most people house Medicine Buddha statues in their prayer rooms. It is believed that by placing the Medicine Buddha statues at their home, the healing powers of the family members are increased, and hostile powers will not be able to enter the house.

Regarding the Medicine Buddha's iconography, Medicine Buddha is portrayed in the seating posture, Dhyana Aasan. In this posture, he is seated comfortably on the lotus petal pedestal with his legs crossed and the back side of both feet faced upwards. He holds a Lapis Lazuli-colored jar of medicine in his left hand, resting comfortably in the lap. The left hand is portrayed with the palm upward, symbolizing meditative stability. His right-hand holds the stem of the Aruna fruit or Myrobalan between his thumb and forefinger, which rests on his right knee. This plant is believed to represent all the best medicines in the world. The deep meaning of the right hand is the symbolic representation of the eradication of suffering through the means of relative truth. He wears a monastic robe, which covers both the shoulders but opens in the chest area. Like other Buddha statues, statues of Medicine Buddha also hold Ushnisha in the head and have elongated earlobes.

Variations in the Chinese iconography of the Medicine Buddha statue have been observed. In Chinese iconography, Medicine Buddha sometimes holds a pagoda symbolizing the ten thousand Buddhas of the three periods. Along with seating posture, Medicine Buddha is also portrayed in the standing posture along with his two companions, Surya Prabha and Chandraprabha.

Medicine Buddha is depicted in Buddhist art with a blue skin color and a halo behind the head. The blue color is associated with the master healing stone, Lapis Lazuli.