Item: Mandala of Medicine Buddha
| Origin Location | China |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1800 - 1899 |
| Lineages | Gelug |
| Size | 66.04x48.26cm (26x19in) |
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment, Fine Gold Line on Cotton |
| Collection | Rubin Museum of Art |
| Catalogue # | acc.# P1999.17.6 |
Classification: Deity
Medicine Buddha Mandala (Sanskrit: Bhaishajyaguru mandala. Tibetan: sang gye men la kyil kor. English: the Buddha, Guru of Medicine). At the center representing the goddess Prajnaparamita is the sutra (text) by the same name.
Tibetan: Sang gye men la
When painting tangkas of Medicine Buddha he sometimes switches places with Prajnaparamita and occupies one of the eight minor positions surrounding the center of the composition. Some paintings actually portray the Goddess herself rather than using the sutra text.
The form and practice of Medicine Buddha is derived from the Bhaishajyaguru Sutra taught by Lord Shakyamuni. In the Vajrayana Tradition this sutra is classified as a Kriya Tantra. Common to all schools of Tibetan Buddhism Medicine Buddha is particularly important to the medical traditions.
Jeff Watt 11-2000
Subject: Tibetan Medicine Main Page
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 8
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Main Page
Tradition: Gelug Mandalas
Mandalas: Gelug Tradition
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Mandala
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Mandala
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha (Prajnaparamita)
Mahakala: Shanglon (minor figure)
Buddhist Deity: Medicine Buddha Pureland (Square Format)
Mandala: Square Format