Fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine

Medicine Buddha

Bhaisajyaguru is an important figure in Tibetan medicine and is known as the Medicine Buddha

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The earliest mention of the Medicine Buddha is found in a 7th century Mahayana text called the Medicine Buddha Sutra.¹ This sutra outlines the journey that Bhaisajyaguru took to become enlightened and the goals he wishes to achieve.

Fig. 4. This mandala was used in a prayer about those who were injured or killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings

Source: Bhaisajyaguru: The Medicine Buddha²

According to the sutra, upon reaching enlightenment while following the bodhisattva path, the Medicine Buddha made 12 vows:

1. He vowed that his body would shine with dazzling light and illuminate countless worlds.
2. His radiant, pure body would bring those dwelling in darkness into light.
3. He would provide sentient beings with their material needs.
4. He would guide those walking on deviant paths to find the way of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana).
5. He would enable countless beings to keep the Precepts.
6. He would heal physical afflictions so that all beings could be able-bodied.
7. He would cause those who are sick and without a family to have healing and a family to care for them.
8. He would cause women who are unhappy being women to become men.
9. He would liberate beings from the nets of demons and the bonds of “exterior” sects.
10. He would cause those who are imprisoned and under threat of execution to be liberated from worry and suffering.
11. He would cause those who are desperate for food and drink to be satiated,
12. He would cause those who are poor, without clothes, and plagued by cold, heat and stinging insects to have fine garments and enjoyable surroundings.³

These vows outline his duties as the Medicine Buddha and are the purpose of his existence.

To evoke the powers of the Medicine Buddha, there exist several mantras that are typically chanted by someone on behalf of the ill. The term “mantra” means sacred sound and they act as tools to ease the mind and release worrisome thoughts.⁴ One of the most prominent mantras of the Medicine Buddha is:

Namo Bhagavate bhaisajya guru vaidurya prabha rajaya
Tathagataya
Arhate
samyaksambuddhaya
tadyatha
Om bhaisajye bhaisajye bhaisajya samudgate Svaha

Bhaisajyaguru: The Medicine Buddha

This can be translated as, “Homage to the Medicine Buddha, The Master of Healing, radiant like lapis lazuli, like a king. The one thus-come, the worthy one, The fully and perfectly awakened one, hail to the healing, the healing, the healer. So be it.”⁵ Tibetan Buddhists believe that chanting this specific mantra can heal physical illness as well as help overcome mental afflictions.⁶