Material: Cloth. Printing. Scroll. (Medicine Buddha)

Size: Approx. 122 x 83 cm

Description:

Medicine Buddha (Tibetan: སངས་རྒྱས་སྨན་བླ།, Sangye Menla), also known as "Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Light", has important religious significance in Tibetan Buddhism. It represents compassion, healing and longevity, and is a symbol of eliminating illness and obstacles. The following is a brief description of the significance and origin of Medicine Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism:

**The significance of Medicine Buddha**

1. **Healing and health**:

- Medicine Buddha is regarded as the "Buddha of Medicine" and is responsible for curing physical, mental and spiritual diseases. Believers pray to Medicine Buddha for blessings to eliminate illness, prolong life and gain inner peace.

- Medicine Buddha's teachings emphasize physical and mental health and spiritual purification. Through the practice of his methods, practitioners can purify their karma, especially those related to health and longevity.

2. **Compassion and Vows**:

- Medicine Buddha made twelve great vows, promising to help sentient beings escape from suffering, gain happiness, and guide sentient beings to enlightenment. These vows include granting health, wealth, wisdom, and protecting sentient beings from disasters.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Medicine Buddha's compassionate vows are regarded as an important support for curing modern people's physical and psychological diseases.

3. **Pure Land and Lapis Lazuli Light**:

- Medicine Buddha's Pure Land is called "Eastern Lapis Lazuli Pure Land", which symbolizes a pure and spotless bright world. Tibetan Buddhists believe that those who practice Medicine Buddha's teachings devoutly can be reborn in this Pure Land and be free from the suffering of reincarnation.

- Lapis Lazuli Light symbolizes purity and wisdom, which echoes the blue body of Medicine Buddha (commonly seen in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas), representing the power of healing and enlightenment.

4. **Eliminate Karma and Prolong Life**:

- The practice of Medicine Buddha is believed to help practitioners eliminate illnesses and obstacles caused by past karma. In particular, in the Tantric practice of Tibetan Buddhism, Medicine Buddha is often used to prolong life and resolve bad luck.

**Origin of Medicine Buddha**

1. **Scripture Basis**:

- The belief in Medicine Buddha originates from the Mahayana Buddhist classic "Medicine Buddha Sutra" (abbreviated as "Medicine Buddha Sutra"). This sutra records in detail the 12 great vows and merits of Medicine Buddha, emphasizing his ability to save sentient beings.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, "Medicine Buddha Sutra" is widely recited and integrated into Tantric rituals, becoming one of the important practice methods.

2. **Development in Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The belief in Medicine Buddha is further enriched in Tibetan Buddhism due to its Tantric practice. Tibetan Buddhism includes Medicine Buddha as one of the "Three Longevity Deities" (Medicine Buddha, Vajrayogini, and White Tara), emphasizing its merits of prolonging life and healing.

- The practice rituals of Medicine Buddha (such as Medicine Buddha empowerment, chanting, visualization, etc.) are widely circulated in various Tibetan Buddhist sects (such as Gelugpa, Nyingma, etc.), and are often combined with medicine and treatment practices, reflecting the importance of Tibetan Buddhism on the overall healing of body, mind, and spirit.

3. **Image and Symbol**:

- In Tibetan Buddhist thangkas and statues, Medicine Buddha usually appears in blue, holding herbs in his right hand (usually terminalia, symbolizing healing) and a bowl in his left hand (containing nectar, representing compassion and longevity). He is often accompanied by Sunlight Bodhisattva and Moonlight Bodhisattva, symbolizing light and wisdom.

- The image and practice of Medicine Buddha are highly ritualized in Tibet, and are often seen in temple ceremonies, patient blessings, and longevity ceremonies.

**Practice**

- **Rituals and ceremonies**: Tibetan Buddhists pray for health and longevity by reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra, chanting the Medicine Buddha mantra ("Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Lhaza Samu Gad Soha") or performing a fire offering to the Medicine Buddha.

- **Medical association**: Traditional Tibetan medicine (Tibetan medicine) is closely related to the belief in the Medicine Buddha. Many Tibetan doctors pray for the blessing of the Medicine Buddha during diagnosis and treatment, combining medicine with spiritual practice.

- **Daily application**: Believers often practice the Medicine Buddha method when they are sick, in bad luck or seeking longevity, such as lighting the Medicine Buddha lamp, offering the Medicine Buddha statue or thangka.

**Cultural influence**

The Medicine Buddha is not only an object of religious belief in Tibetan Buddhism, but is also closely integrated with medicine, art and rituals in Tibetan culture. Its image and teachings embody the Tibetan Buddhist pursuit of compassion, wisdom and healing, and have become an important spiritual pillar in the lives of Tibetan people.

Medicine Buddha (printed thangka on cloth frame)