When the great illumination from the East brightens up the world, there comes the great healing lord, Medicine Buddha, who vows to liberate all sentient beings.
In today’s era, people’s lives are facing challenges to cope with their stress from work, family, finances, and the unceasing stream of information from social media. This leads to the rise in physical and mental health issues, prompting people to urgently seek a way to escape, although they can’t find a way out.
Medicine Buddha is like a ray of light in the darkness, giving people hope. The supreme wish of Medicine Buddha is to help millions of sentient beings, free them from suffering, and lead them to happiness.
This article highlights the history of the belief in Medicine Buddha, uncovers why is Medicine Buddha respected across cultures and how how worshippers from different backgrounds view and honor Medicine Buddha.
The History of Cultural Belief in Medicine Buddha
The belief in Medicine Buddha originated from a combination of Indian Buddhism and Chinese culture; the earliest historical records of Medicine Buddha date back more than 1,500 years. As the Medicine Buddha’s vows were made to solve and fulfill the wishes and needs of sentient beings, he was widely accepted by rulers and commoners since ancient times.
The worshippers of Medicine Buddha came from South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and other regions. As a result, there are different forms and appearances of the Medicine Buddha due to the cultural influences. Let’s look at some of the most representative countries and regions and their portrayal of Medicine Buddha.
Tibet: Faith, Meditation Practice and Medicine Come Together
Tibet is one of the regions where the faith in Medicine Buddha spread widely. In addition, there is a very close relationship between the faith in Medicine Buddha and the history of Tibetan medicine. According to research by scholars Cai Jingfeng and Hong Wuli, the “Four Medical Tantras” was completed during period of the Tubo Kingdom, and was later reorganized, revised, and annotated.
In this classic, a certain degree of Buddhism teaching is integrated into the use of pharmacology and is written in the form of a dialogue between the two incarnations of Medicine Buddha – Bodhisattva of the Heart and Bodhisattva of Wisdom, showing the deep influence of the faith in Medicine Buddha in Tibetan medicine. It can be regarded as a great medical masterpiece that integrates faith, meditation practice, and medicine.
Thailand: Pra Kring Statues and Amulets
In Thailand, Medicine Buddha is referred to as “Pra Kring”. A bead is usually found in statues of Medicine Buddha in Thailand. Whenever the statues are moved, the beads make a sound. This implies that Medicine Buddha is carrying a medicine jar filled with holy medicine.
Additionally, some worshippers in Thailand also carry amulets of Medicine Buddha with them for protection and spiritual comfort.
Japan: Temples Built by Inspired Imperials
The gilded bronze Medicine Buddha statues in the Nara’s Yakushiji Temple, Shin-Yakushiji Temple, and Horyuji Temple built in 698 AD were all constructed by members of the Imperial family who were healed by Medicine Buddha’s divine power.
Korea: The Largest Stone Medicine Buddha Statue in the World
The Donghwasa Temple of the Jogye School with a history of more than 1500 years houses the largest stone Medicine Buddha statue in the world, measuring 33 meters in height and 16.5 meters in width. The statue was known as “The Great Unified Medicine Buddha”.
Who is Medicine Buddha?
Medicine Buddha can heal the physical illnesses of sentient beings and also heal their spiritual illnesses, thus earning the name “Medicine Buddha.” His body is described as being made of blue lapis lazuli, and radiating pure, untainted light, called “Lapis Lazuli Light”.
How Many Medicine Buddhas are There ?
In the history of Chinese Buddhism, a total of five translated versions of the Medicine Buddha Sutra have appeared, all based on the same original text, one of which is now lost. Among the four remaining versions, the most well-known version is the “Sutra of the Merit and Virtue of the Past Vows of Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata” translated by Xuanzang and the “Sutra of the Merit and Virtue of the Seven Buddhas Who Radiate Lapis Lazuli Light” translated by Yijing.
The main difference between these versions is that Yijing’s version mentions the seven Medicine Buddhas, while the other versions only mention the more commonly known Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Light. So, who are the seven Buddhas mentioned by Yijing ?
According to the “Sutra of the Merit and Virtue of the Seven Buddhas Who Radiate Lapis Lazuli Light,” the seven Medicine Buddhas are 1) Medicine Buddha Guru King of Lapis Light; 2) Medicine Buddha King of Melodious Sound; 3) Medicine Buddha Stainless Excellent Gold; 4) Medicine Buddha Supreme Glory Free from Sorrow; 5) Medicine Buddha Melodious Ocean of Proclaimed Dharma; 6) Medicine Buddha Delightful King of Clear Knowing; 7) Medicine Buddha Renowned Glorious King of Excellent Signs.
So, is there only one Medicine Buddha or are there seven of them?
Medicine Buddha is respected and venerated for his 12 great vows that strive to fulfill the needs of all sentient beings and lead them to liberation. Instead of being obsessed with the number of Medicine Buddhas, we should focus on the compassionate spirit of Medicine Buddha. Regardless of how many statues of Medicine Buddha there are, the compassion for the world is always the same.
How to Form a Connection with Medicine Buddha?
When facing unresolvable troubles, we can form a connection with Medicine Buddha to seek for his blessings. For instance, some people hope to seek for longevity for family members or wishing for success in children’s studies and careers.
Most importantly, how can we connect with Medicine Buddha? Here are a few key points to consider.
1. Sincerity and Reverence
The most effective way to accumulate merit is through sincerity. As one practices sincerity and selflessness, the bodhisattvas will respond to the calls even if they are not making demands. When one emulates the spirit of compassion, great love, and self-sacrificing attitude of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, the blessings they obtain shall be unimaginable.
Therefore, if one often visualizes or makes offerings to the buddha and bodhisattvas with a respectful and sincere heart, it will be extremely auspicious and meritorious.
2. Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra
The Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra allows one to form a direct connection with Medicine Buddha. Chanting the mantra not only clears bad karma from previous lifetimes, but also helps to gain merits by connecting you with Medicine Buddha.
3. Chant All the Time
Accumulating merits by chanting the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra is akin to depositing money to your saving account; the more you chant, the more merits you gain. Your chants will also be heard by the bodhisattvas accompanying Medicine Buddha, as well as the 12 Heavenly Generals, and together they will help you to fulfill your wishes.
The Karmic Connection between Medicine Buddha and Grandmaster JinBodhi
“Only when all sentient beings are happy and well can I be the same.”
This is what Medicine Buddha wishes and also what Grandmaster JinBodhi wishes.
Medicine Buddha, the primary Buddha revered at Bodhi Meditation, has a deep karmic connection with Grandmaster JinBodhi, the founder of Bodhi Meditation. Through his life of spreading the dharma, Grandmaster JinBodhi has not only aspired to follow Medicine Buddha’s footsteps to liberate all sentient beings based on Medicine Buddha’s 12 great vows, but also chanted and recorded the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra to transmit the meditation practice method that enables a quick connection with Medicine Buddha.
Bodhi Meditation has been established for more than 30 years with meditation centers all over the world, offering a suitable environment for meditation practices for the public. Apart from the chanting and light offering activities on the lunar calendar’s 1st and 15th day each month, the organization also holds five major dharma events every year. Among the five major events, the Medicine Buddha’s Birthday Celebration event has always been the largest. The event often sees participants chant the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra led by Grandmaster JinBodhi to obtain auspicious blessings from Medicine Buddha.
Listening to the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra chanted by Grandmaster JinBodhi, or chanting along with Grandmaster helps you gain Medicine Buddha’s auspicious blessings and protection; you can attain peace, longevity, safety from all disasters, immeasurable merits and a bright future for generations to come.
Further Readings:
Introduction to Medicine Buddha
Sutra of the Merit and Virtue of the Past Vows of Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata
