The Medicine Buddha (Sanskrit Bhaisajyaguru, "Master of Healing") is the Buddha of healing in Mahayana Buddhism. His full title, "King of Lapis Lazuli Light", gives his colour. Buddhists pray to him for healing of body and mind, and above all of the inner causes of suffering: desire, anger and ignorance.
He is not the historical Buddha: in Mahayana tradition he presides over an eastern pure land, and made twelve great vows to relieve the suffering of beings.
How he is shown
- Deep blue, the colour of lapis lazuli, seated in full meditation posture on a lotus and moon disc.
- His right hand rests on his knee, palm open in the gesture of giving, holding a sprig of myrobalan (arura), a fruit prized in Tibetan medicine.
- His left hand rests in his lap, holding a bowl of medicine or nectar.
- Monk's robes, often with gold-coloured pattern.
The Medicine Buddhas
He often appears as one of a group of seven or eight Medicine Buddhas, in different colours and gestures, sometimes arranged in a mandala. Tibetan medical paintings also place him at the head of the healing tradition.
His mantra
Tayata Om Bekandze Bekandze Maha Bekandze Radza Samudgate Soha.
In a painting
Look for an even, luminous blue, which is hard to paint well, and fine detail in the myrobalan sprig and the bowl. A Medicine Buddha thangka is often chosen for a meditation space, or as a gift with a wish for someone's wellbeing.
