Meditating on the image of the Medicine Buddha aids you in embodying the Buddha’s healing qualities.

The Medicine Buddha Sutra teaches that Bhaisajyaguru became the Medicine Buddha when he entered into the state of samadhi and spoke the Medicine Buddha Dharani for the first time. The purpose of samadhi is for the elimination of the suffering and affliction of all sentient beings.

It is said that one who venerates the Medicine Buddha deity will experience increased healing powers, and decreased physical and mental illness and suffering. Following is the text from the Medicine Buddha Dharani.

Namo bhagavate Bhaishajyaguru-vaidurya Prabha-rajaya Tathagataya Arthate Samak-Sambuddhaya Tadyatha.

Om Bhaishajye Bhaishajye Bhaishajya-Samudgate Svaha

~~from Sutra of the Medicine Buddha.

The last line of the Medicine Buddha Dharani is used as the Medicine Buddha Mantra, which is also in the slide show featured at the end of this article.

(Note: The various schools of Buddhism have other versions of the Medicine Buddha Dharani).

You can study the Medicine Buddha Teachings as explained by Thrangu Rinpoche.

Thrangu Rinpoche provides a very detailed teaching on the Medicine Buddha Sutra, including the Medicine Buddha healing practice itself. In his book, Medicine Buddha Teachings, Trhrangu Rinpoche explains the Medicine Buddha Sutra as well as the Medicine Buddha Dharani. He also explains the 12 vows of the Buddha in the sutra.

Thrangu Rinpoche is considered the foremost scholar of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He is the only member to hold the highest Khenchen degree. Because of Thrangu Rinpoche’s high level of realization, he was asked by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to become a tutor to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage.