Who Is the Medicine Buddha?
The Medicine Buddha, known in Sanskrit as Bhaisajyaguru and in Tibetan as Sangye Menla, is one of the most beloved and revered figures in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Depicted with skin the deep blue of lapis lazuli, he embodies the healing power of enlightened wisdom and is invoked for the relief of physical illness, mental suffering, and spiritual obstacles.
His full name translates roughly as "Master of Healing" or "Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata," and his presence in Tibetan Buddhist practice spans over a thousand years of unbroken tradition.
Iconography and Symbolism
The Medicine Buddha is immediately recognizable by several distinctive features:
- Deep blue body. His lapis lazuli complexion symbolizes the purity of the dharma and the boundless sky of awakened mind.
- Myrobalan fruit. In his right hand, resting on his knee, he holds the arura plant (Terminalia chebula), a medicinal herb used across Himalayan healing traditions. It represents the medicine that cures all suffering.
- Medicine bowl. His left hand, resting in his lap in a meditation gesture, holds a lapis lazuli bowl filled with healing nectar.
- Monastic robes. He is dressed in the simple saffron robes of a monk, reflecting his vow to remain accessible to all beings.
The Twelve Vows of the Medicine Buddha
Before attaining enlightenment, Bhaisajyaguru made twelve great vows to benefit all sentient beings. These vows include illuminating all realms with his radiance, awakening the minds of all beings, providing for those who lack food and clothing, healing those with physical and mental illness, and liberating those trapped in suffering. Together, these vows form the foundation of his practice and explain why he is called upon in times of hardship and illness.
Medicine Buddha Practice and Mantra
Reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra is one of the most widely practiced healing rituals in Tibetan Buddhism. The mantra is:
Tayata Om Bekandze Bekandze Maha Bekandze Radza Samudgate Soha
Translated loosely, "bekandze" means "eliminating pain," and the mantra is understood as an invocation of the Buddha's healing power for oneself and all beings. It is traditionally recited 108 times using a mala, and is often chanted over water, medicine, or food to imbue them with healing energy.
Medicine Buddha in Art and Statuary
Representations of the Medicine Buddha appear across thangka paintings, bronze statues, and carved stone throughout the Himalayan world. In thangkas, he is often depicted at the center of a mandala surrounded by the other seven Medicine Buddhas, each radiating a different color and quality of healing light.
Statues of the Medicine Buddha are traditionally crafted from bronze and finished with a deep blue patina or painted in lapis lazuli tones. Placing a Medicine Buddha statue on your altar or in a healing space is considered an auspicious act that invites his blessings into the environment.
Bringing Medicine Buddha Into Your Home
Whether you are a dedicated practitioner or simply drawn to the energy of healing and compassion, a Medicine Buddha statue or thangka can serve as a meaningful focal point in your home. Place him on an altar facing the room, light a candle or incense in offering, and allow his presence to remind you of the possibility of healing, for body, mind, and spirit.
At Wondering Monk, our Medicine Buddha statues and thangkas are sourced directly from master craftspeople in Nepal, honoring the living tradition of Himalayan sacred art.