Medicine Buddha Bhaiṣajyaguru: The Master of Healing and Lapis Lazuli Light

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1. Introduction

Among the seven Medicine Buddhas revered in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism, Bhaiṣajyaguru stands at the heart of the healing tradition. Known as the Medicine Master Buddha, he embodies the ultimate healing force—not only of the body but of the mind and spirit as well. His name in Sanskrit, Bhaiṣajyaguru Vaidūryaprabha, translates to “Medicine Master of Lapis Lazuli Light.”

He is venerated especially in East Asian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for his twelve great vows that promise to alleviate illness, suffering, poverty, ignorance, and to aid beings in achieving enlightenment.

2. Names and Meanings

Language	Name	Meaning
Sanskrit	Bhaiṣajyaguru Vaidūryaprabha	Medicine Master, Lapis Lazuli Light
Pāli	Bhesajjaguru	Master of Remedies
Chinese	藥師琉璃光如來 (Yàoshī Liúlíguāng Rúlái)	Tathāgata of Lapis Lazuli Light
Japanese	薬師如来 (Yakushi Nyorai)	Buddha of Medicine
Tibetan	Sangye Menla	Healing Buddha
English	Medicine Buddha	Healer of Physical and Mental Suffering

3. Iconography and Symbolism

Body Color: Deep blue (Lapis Lazuli), representing purity and healing.
Right Hand: In the gesture of granting blessings (varadamudrā), holding the myrobalan plant (Terminalia chebula), a powerful healing herb in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine.
Left Hand: Rests on the lap in meditation mudrā, holding a bowl of healing nectar.
Posture: Seated in full lotus position, emanating calm, compassion, and resolve.

4. The Twelve Great Vows of Bhaiṣajyaguru

In the canonical Bhaiṣajyaguru Sutra, the Medicine Buddha made twelve profound vows upon attaining enlightenment. These vows reflect his compassionate intention to benefit all sentient beings, particularly those suffering from illness, poverty, and mental affliction.

Illuminate the world with Lapis Lazuli Light, dispelling ignorance.
Grant physical perfection and inner purity to those with deformities or sickness.
Fulfill material needs and provide access to the Dharma.
Inspire beings to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and renounce evil.
Heal the sick and give them peace and strength.
Help beings gain wisdom, discernment, and resist delusions.
Guide those who go astray, leading them back to wholesome conduct.
Relieve women of suffering related to gender-based suffering, and offer rebirth with ease.
Liberate beings from negative karma and destructive forces.
Save beings from wrong judgment, imprisonment, and injustice.
Protect from hunger, disease, and predatory karma.
Guide the dying to favorable rebirths and spiritual freedom.

5. Mantra of the Medicine Buddha

The Medicine Buddha Mantra is chanted for physical and mental healing, for oneself or others, and to purify karma. It brings inner peace and spiritual clarity.

NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAIṢAJYAGURU VAIḌŪRYAPRABHĀRĀJĀYA
TATHĀGATĀYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAṂBUDDHĀYA
TADYATHĀ: OM BHAIṢAJYE BHAIṢAJYE MAHĀBHAIṢAJYE
RAJĀ SAMUDGATE SVAHĀ

🌿 Reciting this mantra 7, 21, or 108 times daily is believed to:

Accelerate healing and recovery
Remove mental confusion and fears
Aid the dying and the deceased
Bring auspiciousness and clarity to difficult life circumstances

6. His Pure Land: The Eastern Lapis Lazuli World

Known as the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli Light, located in the East.
A realm of radiant purity, free from disease and suffering.
Accessible through sincere faith, devotion, and chanting his name.
Presided over by Bhaiṣajyaguru and his two Bodhisattvas:
- Sūryaprabha (Sunlight Radiance)
- Candraprabha (Moonlight Radiance)

7. Relevance in Modern Life

Problem	Bhaiṣajyaguru’s Role
Physical Illness	Healing the root causes through merit purification and wisdom
Mental Stress	Offering clarity, compassion, and calming energy
Addiction	Helping to transform destructive habits and karma
Social Injustice	Removing causes of oppression and false accusations
Grief and Loss	Providing guidance for the dead and comfort for the living

8. Practices and Rituals

Medicine Buddha Puja: Performed to invoke blessings, especially during times of illness or crisis.
Offering Lapis Lazuli-colored candles or water: Symbolizes devotion and healing energy.
Creating Medicine Buddha Mandalas: Visual tools for meditation and invocation.
Reciting the Twelve Vows: As part of daily practice or ceremonies.
Meditation Visualization: Imagining his form, color, and light permeating the body.

9. Conclusion

Bhaiṣajyaguru, the first and central Medicine Buddha, represents an enlightened power whose sole purpose is the healing and liberation of all beings. Whether one is sick in body, mind, or spirit, turning to Bhaiṣajyaguru offers profound refuge.

To invoke his name, mantra, and light is to bring forth a medicine deeper than pharmaceuticals—the medicine of awakening, compassion, and timeless wisdom.

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