Buddha: Medicine Buddha Bhaishajyaguru: Tibetan painter, late 18th century

distemper painting on sized linen mounted on brocade
courtesy of the Wellcome Library, London

Bhaishajyaguru is the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahayana Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the "Medicine Buddha", he is described as a doctor who cures dukkha (suffering) using the medicine of his teachings.

In this 18th century work, Bhaishajyaguru, is shown with his right hand in the earth-touching position. His left hand, in a meditation gesture, holds a lapis lazuli bowl containing three pieces of myrobalan fruit (a species of plum), considered to have medicinal properties. To his right a miniature form of the deity, Green Tara, is depicted in a roundel. Below is Padmasambhava, who formally introduced Buddhism from India to Tibet. His two female consorts, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal, flank him on either side.

The Medicine Buddha sutras emphasise the value of visualising the Medicine Buddha and chanting the appropriate text, to promote the healing of body, speech and mind.

the above text appears on the back of the card
HC-804: card size 7" x 5" (178mm x 131mm)