Medicine Buddha is known as the great healer, the energy which releases all beings from affliction. According to the Tibetan tradition, the Buddha emanated as Bhaishajyaguru, the “master of remedies”, a thousand years ago. The Tibetan name of Medicine Buddha is Sangye Mela and Bhaishajyaguru is his Sanskrit name.
Medicine Buddha is blue in color like the sky; the sky-blue body of the “master of remedies” indicates his ultimate nature of all-encompassing, “sky-like” awareness. He holds a sprig of aura in his right hand or chebulic myrobalan, from which much of Tibetan medicine is compounded. His hand faces outward, symbolizing his bestowal of boons. In his left hand, he holds a bowl containing three forms of ambrosia; the nectar that counteracts aging; and the supreme nectar that illuminates the mind and increases knowledge. In Buddhism, however, external medicines have only limited application. The only cure for humankind is root illness- inattention to the true nature of self and reality- is spiritual illumination. This is achieved not through plants and medication, but through deep, transcendent insight into the human condition. To heal is to make whole, to restore wisdom, balance, and equilibrium.
The Medicine Buddha is the embodiment of all the Buddha’s healing qualities, associated with healing both physical and mental suffering making a connection with him by practicing his meditation, reciting his mantra, or even just saying his name helps us to achieve our potential for ultimate healing.
