Medicine Buddha
The Medicine Buddha, formally known as: Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja (“Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light”), or just Bhaiṣajyaguru, is the Buddha of healing. He is often depicted with Blue skin, holding an alms bowl in his lap with his left hand, and holding a healing herb in his right hand.
For the entire lunar month of January, the Medicine Buddha Sutra is chanted. It is the traditional sutra that’s chanted every new year. The sutra teaches us the 12 Vows of Medicine Buddha upon attaining enlightenment:
1. I vow that my body shall shine as beams of brilliant light on this infinite and boundless world, showering on all beings, getting rid of their ignorance and worries with my teachings. May all beings be like me, with a perfect status and character, upright mind and soul, and finally attaining enlightenment like the Buddha.
2. I vow that my body be like crystal, pure and flawless, radiating rays of splendid light to every corner, brightening up and enlightening all beings with wisdom. With the blessings of compassion, may all beings strengthen their spiritual power and physical energy, so that they could fulfill their dreams on the right track.
3. I vow that I shall grant by means of boundless wisdom, all beings with the inexhaustible things that they require, and relieving them from all pains and guilt resulting from materialistic desires. Although clothing, food, accommodation and transport are essentials, it should be utilized wisely as well. Besides self-consumption, the remaining should be generously shared with the community so that all could live harmoniously together.
4. I vow to lead those who have gone astray back to the path of righteousness. Let them be corrected and returned to the Buddha way for enlightenment.
5. I vow that I shall enable all sentient beings to observe precepts for spiritual purity and moral conduct. Should there be any relapse or violation, they shall be guided by repentance. Provided they sincerely regret their wrong-doings, and vow for a change with constant prayers and strong faith in the Buddha, they could receive the rays of forgiveness, recover their lost moral and purity.
6. I vow that all beings who are physically disabled or sick in all aspects be blessed with good health, both physically and mentally. All who pays homage to Buddha faithfully will be blessed.
7. I vow to relieve all pain and poverty of the very sick and poor. The sick be cured, the helpless be helped, the poor be assisted.
8. I vow to help women who are undergoing sufferings and tortures and seeking for transformation into men. By hearing my name, paying homage and praying, their wishes would be granted and ultimately attain Buddhahood.
9. I vow to free all beings from evil thoughts and its control. I shall lead them onto the path of light through inculcating them with righteousness and honour so that they will walk the Buddha way.
10. I vow to save prisoners who have genuinely repented and victims of natural disasters. My supreme powers will bless those who are sincere and be freed from sufferings.
11. I vow to save those who suffer from starvation and those who committed a crime to obtain food. If they hear my name and faithfully cherish it, I shall lead them to the advantages of Dharma and favour them with the best food and eventually lead a tranquil and happy life.
12. I vow to save those who suffer from poverty, tormented by mosquitoes and wasps day and night. If they come across my name, cherish it with sincerity and practice dharma to strengthen their merits, they will be able to achieve their wishes.
The Medicine Buddha Sutra also mentions many ways and things people can do, like creating healing or holy water, to eliminate illness and gain longevity. Superficially, the sutra seems to be mystical and mythological. However, the “medicine” that the Buddha teaches isn’t for physical ailments, but mental ones.
Also, it may also come across as very “foreign” to see some of the vows for women wishing to be men. It’s important to understand that in ancient times, women were considered low class and unable to attain enlightenment; that they had to be men in order to be “fortunate” enough to become enlightened. It was also the belief that women were too tied and attached to worldly pleasures and family, things that would hinder the mind while on the Path. Regardless, we know now, and even spoken about in the Lotus Sutra, women are fully capable of becoming enlightened and becoming Buddhas. The story in the Lotus Sutra taught by the Buddha showcases an 8 year old girl becoming a Buddha. The vows of Medicine Buddha were strictly for those (women) who believed they would better able to practice as a man than in a woman’s body. No teacher or monastic today would agree that women are incapable of enlightenment. We should simply just understand the time and place this sutra was created.
Like most teachings in Buddhism, the teaching and sutras are guides for us to heal our mind, since our mind is the root of all suffering. So the Medicine Buddha is presented to us as a physician, a healer; but he is teaching us ways to heal our mind, to eradicate the defilements and unwholesome thoughts, and plant seeds of wholesomeness and virtue.
The sutra also gives us the Medicine Buddha Dharani/ Mantra:
“Namo bhagavate bhaiṣajyaguru vaiḍūryaprabharājāya
tathāgatāya arahate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā:
oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajya-samudgate svāhā.”
The last line is used as the short form mantra.