Item: Medicine Buddha - Main Form
| Lineages | Gelug and Buddhist |
|---|---|
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton |
| Collection | Private |
Classification: Deity
Appearance: Buddha
Gender: Male
Medicine Buddha (Sanskrit: Bhaishajyaguru) (Tibetan: sang gye men la. English: the Buddha - Guru of Medicine).
Tibetan: Sang gye men la
The depicted forms and ritual practices of Medicine Buddha are derived from the Bhaishajyaguru Sutra (Vaidurya Prabha Raja, the 'King of Sapphire Light') and according to Buddhist Tradition were taught by Shakyamuni Buddha. In Vajrayana Buddhism this sutra is classified as Tantra literature and belonging to the Kriya classification. Many works under the Kriya classification are understood as being both sutra and tantra texts at the same time. Medicine Buddha imagery and practice is common to all of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism and particularly important to the Tibetan medical schools and traditions.
Jeff Watt [added 2-2020]
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Main Page
Collection of Chazen Museum of Art
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha (Eight)