by Bob Flaws

Two days ago, I wrote a blog on the benefits of the Vajra Armor (Dorje Gotrab) practice. So today I'd like to say something about another practice done by essentially all doctors in Old Tibet (and, of course, still done to this day in "Greater" Tibet). This other practice is the so-called Medicine Buddha, also known as the Lapis Light Medicine Buddha. While Vajra Armor is done for protection and the development of healing power, Medicine Buddha practice is done to develop unlimited compassion and healing power as well as to facilitate the study and practice of medicine. It is the central spiritual practice of traditional Tibetan Medicine, and it comes in various forms through various lineages. However, since this practice is both a sutric (non-esoteric) and tantric (esoteric) practice, there are versions which can be practiced by anyone without transmission and without any particular obligations. Anyone who wishes can simply read one of the Medicine Buddha sutras and do the practice contained therein.

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In general, the Medicine Buddha is visualized in the same basic form as the "historical" Buddha, Shakyamuni. He is sitting on a thousand-petaled lotus on top of a throne held up by eight lions. He is wearing a Buddhist monks robe, his right hand is resting on his knee, palm facing forward, while his left hand is resting palm up in his lap holding a begging bowl. However, unlike Shakyamuni Buddha, the Medicine Buddha is dark lapis-blue in color, holds an arura fruit (He Zi, Fructus Chebulae) in his right hand, and his begging bowl is filled with various medicinal herbs. While visualizing in this way, one says one of the Medicine Buddha's mantras (there are several, longer and shorter, some requiring empowerment and some not), thinking that rays of light comes from the Medicine Buddha's heart to bless oneself and all other sentient beings. In particular, one can visualize specific beings with specific diseases being cured by these rays of light (including oneself), one can visualize specific diseases in the world at large being eliminated by these rays of light, such as cancer, AIDS, H1N1, etc., and/or one can visualize receiving the wisdom, power, and compassion of all the Buddhas in general and the knowledge, skill, and healing power of the Medicine Buddha in particular.

For more information on this practice, as well as specific versions of the sadhana or meditation exercise, I recommend seeing http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/sadhana-medicine-buddha.htm. This is a great resource on all things having to do with the Medicine Buddha. After doing this practice every day on your own, you might decide you'd like to receive the living lineal transmission of this practice. In that case, you would need to seek out a Tibetan Buddhist Lama or teacher (who may or may not be Tibetan). Since this practice is such a common one in the world of Tibetan Buddhism, virtually any Lama can give this practice. For those who would like to do this practice intensively in a group setting, Anyen Rinpoche of Lakewood, CO will be holding his second annual four-day Medicine Buddha prayer festival in early June. For more information on this intensive practice (including empowerment and transmission), see http://www.anyenrinpoche.com/schedule.html.

Medicine Buddha sadhana has been part of my personal daily meditations for many years now, and I recommend this practice highly for all those in the healing arts. By doing this practice, you will eventually come to embody the healing wisdom, compassion, and power of all the Buddhas throughout time and space.

Good luck & best wishes.

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