Bhaisajyaguru

More formally Bhaiajyaguruvaiduryaprabha (Sanskrit) is known as the Master of Healing or Medicine Buddha. His full name means "Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light". In Mahayana Buddhism, Bhaisajyaguru represents the healing aspect of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. The use of the analogy of a Buddha being depicted as a doctor who cures the illness of suffering using the medicine of his teachings appears widely in Buddhist scriptures.

Bhaisajyaguru is described in the eponymous Bhaisajyaguru-sutra as bodhisattva who made and fulfilled 12 vows, two of them related to healing. On achieving Buddhahood, he became the Buddha of the realm of Vaiduryanirbhasa or "Pure Lapis Lazuli", in the eastern quarter similar to Akshobhya Buddha. There, he is attended to by the bodhisattvas Nikko and Gakko, symbolizing the sun and moon respectively. Yakushi is notably absent from the Mandala of the Two Realms, but is one of the Thirteen Buddhas.

The Twelve Vows of the Medicine Buddha upon attaining Enlightenment, according to the Medicine Buddha Sutra are:

To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling others to become a Buddha too.
To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.
To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.
To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.
To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.
To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.
To help relieve the destitute and the sick.
To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.
To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.
To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.
To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.

Bhaisajyaguru is typically depicted seated, wearing the three robes of a Buddhist monk, with a lapis-colored jar of medicine nectar in his left hand and the right hand resting on his right knee, holding the stem of the aurara plant between thumb and forefinger. In the sutra, he is also described by his aura of lapis lazuli-colored light.

Role in Chinese Buddhism

The Pure Land of Bhaisajyaguru, a wall mural made circa 1319 AD, Yuan Dynasty. The practice of veneration of the Medicine Buddha is also popular in China, as he is depicted as one of the trinity of Buddhas, the others being the founder Gautama Buddha and Amitabha of the Pure Land sect. Like Tibetan Buddhists, Chinese Buddhists recite the mantra of the Medicine Buddha to overcome sickness. He is also closely associated with ceremonies for temple donors and for transferring of merit to such donors.

Role in Tibetan Buddhism

The practice of Medicine Buddha, the Supreme Healer (or Sangye Menla in Tibetan) is not only a very powerful method for healing and increasing healing powers both for oneself and others, but also for overcoming the inner sickness of attachment, hatred, and ignorance, thus to meditate on the Medicine Buddha can help decrease physical and mental illness and suffering.