BHAISAJYAGURU - HEALING BUDDHA
Nepal
19th century
Bronze, fire guilt
Height 43 cm
A bronze sculpture of Bhaisajyaguru, popularly known in the lands of Mahayana Buddhism as 'Medicine Buddha', the great healer of body and soul. Bhaisajyaguru is an enlightened being, a boddisatva, who practices unbiased compassion for all living beings. Bhaisajya means 'healing power', while guru means 'teacher'. He is also known as Bhaisajyaraja, 'raja' meaning 'king', and is regarded as the first doctor. He protects living beings - humans as well as animals - from physical and mental illness and other dangers and obstacles. Tibetan, Nepali, Chinese, and Japanese doctors rely on the Medicine Buddha to help them in their healing practice.
Bhaisajyaguru also relieves dukkha, suffering, by helping people to eradicate the three poisons of attachment, hatred, and ignorance, which are the root of all sickness and danger. Millions around the world call out the name or mantra of Bhaisajyaguru every day of their lives. The great healer made twelve great vows (see below) that in the realms of Mahayana Buddhism are widely known, taught to children from an early age. On achieving Buddhahood, he became the Buddha of the eastern pure land of Vaiduryanirbhasa, 'Pure Lapis Lazuli', and is frequently shown, both on thankas and in partly overpainted sculpture, with his whole body dark blue, ideally using lapis powder as the pigment.
Bhaisajyaguru is typically depicted seated, wearing the robes of a Buddhist monk, holding a jar of medicine nectar, amrita, in his left hand (often painted lapis lazuli, though not here) and the right hand resting on his right knee. Between thumb and forefinger of the right hand he is holding the flower stem stem of myrobalan, Terminalia chebula, or arura, known for its curative properties since time immemorial. It is considered a potent panacea, and a mainstay of ayurvedic medicine. The lotus that serves Bhaisajyaguru as his throne is enriched with intricate ornamentation, as is the separate base. The deity's halo, a separate enriching element that is relatively rare, is richly detailed.
The sculptor has brought out the loving nature of Bhaisajyaguru in a restrained manner, stressing serenity, that gives this substantial piece a powerful presence. He depicts the deity with eyes downcast in a countenance that holds a transcendental equipoise.
The Twelve Vows of the Bhaisajyaguru upon attaining Enlightenment, as described in the Medicine Buddha Sutra, are:
- To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.
- To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.
- To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.
- To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.
- To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.
- To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.
- To help relieve the destitute and the sick.
- To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.
- To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.
- To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
- To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.
- To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.
Provenance: Private collector
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