The Fifth Medicine Buddha – Aśokottamasrī Tathāgata

 

“The Tathāgata of Supreme Serene Glory”


1. Introduction

The Fifth Medicine Buddha in the sacred assembly of the Seven Medicine Buddhas is:

Aśokottamasrī Tathāgata
(The Tathāgata of Unexcelled Glory Free from Sorrow)

He embodies the elimination of sorrow, emotional pain, trauma, and mental suffering. In particular, Aśokottamasrī Tathāgata is the healer of the inner mind, the remover of hidden grief, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.


2. Name and Meaning

LanguageNameTranslation or Significance
SanskritAśokottamasrī TathāgataThe Glorious One Who is Free from Sorrow
Tibetanམ་སྡུག་གི་དཔལ་རྒྱལ་ (Ma Duk Gyi Pal Gyal)King of Radiant Joy Without Suffering
Chinese無憂最勝吉祥如來 (Wúyōu Zuìshèng Jíxiáng Rúlái)Tathāgata of Supreme Auspiciousness Beyond Grief
EnglishThe Buddha of Supreme JoyHe who dissolves all grief, giving bliss and clarity

3. Iconography and Symbolism

  • Body Color: Soft rose-gold or copper-gold, radiating inner joy
  • Posture: Seated in lotus posture (padmāsana), calm and serene
  • Mudra: Dharmachakra Mudrā (gesture of teaching the Dharma)
  • Sacred Object: Lotus flower or moon disc, symbol of purity and lightness
  • Aura: Radiates compassionate, uplifting light that eases sorrow and emotional heaviness

4. Domain of Healing

This Buddha specializes in emotional and psychological healing, ideal for modern mental and spiritual afflictions:

Healing AspectDescription
Depression and sadnessDissolves heaviness in the heart, fosters mental clarity
Anxiety and restlessnessCalms the mind, restores inner stillness
Heartbreak and griefHeals emotional wounds from loss, betrayal, or trauma
Mental confusionDispels foggy mind states, supports lucid thinking
Spiritual hopelessnessRevives faith, willpower, and sacred connection

5. Associated Mantra

His mantra is chanted for inner peace and to be released from suffering caused by karmic patterns of sorrow:

OM NAMO BHAGAVATE AŚOKOTTAMASRĪ TATHĀGATĀYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAṂBUDDHĀYA SVAHĀ

🔹 Translation:
“Homage to the Blessed, the Tathāgata Aśokottamasrī, the Arhat, the Perfectly Awakened One — So be it.”


6. Applications in Dharma Practice

Practice / OccasionPurpose
During mourning or lossAlleviates grief, brings peaceful closure
In mental health ritualsSupports balance of energies, clarity, and joyful mind
In trauma recoveryHeals old emotional wounds stored in body or spirit
Before difficult decisionsInstills confidence and freedom from fear
In devotional meditationConnects one to the essence of inner joy and serenity

7. His Spiritual Vow

Each Medicine Buddha embodies part of Bhaiṣajyaguru’s twelve vows. Aśokottamasrī Tathāgata fulfills the vow:

  • To relieve all beings from sorrow,
  • To disperse all darkness from the mind,
  • To light the heart with the joy of Dharma,
  • To restore the will to live, love, and awaken.

8. Psychological and Modern Relevance

Modern ConditionBenefit from Aśokottamasrī’s Blessing
Depression / burnoutElevates spirit, dispels inner clouds
Anxiety and insomniaProvides stillness and mental ease
Grief due to loss or illnessHeals subtle body pain and heart trauma
Emotional trauma and PTSDRestores emotional safety and clarity
Disconnection from purpose or faithRekindles Dharma light and personal meaning

9. Differentiation Among the Seven Medicine Buddhas

  • While Suvarṇaratnakaracchatrakūṭa (4th) blesses material well-being,
  • Aśokottamasrī (5th) focuses on healing the emotional body and mind
  • Compared to Bhaiṣajyaguru (the central figure), he is more emotionally intimate and soothing, addressing subtle inner wounds.

10. Summary

The Fifth Medicine Buddha, Aśokottamasrī Tathāgata, is the bringer of joy, the soother of sorrow, and the liberator of emotional suffering. His compassionate presence is a spiritual balm for a world full of unrest, confusion, and pain.

He teaches that true healing is not just physical, but lies in the ability to smile again, hope again, and love again — even after suffering.

To call upon this Buddha is to heal from within, dissolving the karma of sadness and awakening the original lightness of being.

 

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