Discover the Wonders of Medicine Buddha Mandala
Medicine Buddha mandala, composed of 16,000 pillars in a traditional architectural style, is a mesmerizing sanctuary for healing. Encircled by four courtyards boasting millions of medicinal plants exuding sweet and enchanting fragrances, the city is a haven for various joyous and harmonious animals.
Architecture and Divine Guarding
The city features a square Immeasurable Palace made of precious gems, silver, gold, white pearls, red pearls, and blue coral. Adorned with five layers of walls and guarded by four heavenly kings at each gate, the palace showcases a dazzling array of medicinal gemstones. The towering structure is embellished with five celestial necklaces made of heavenly gems and five golden pinnacles crafted from bodhi gemstones.
The palace grounds are surrounded by mountains, each dedicated to growing medicinal plants tailored for specific ailments. The south mountain treats cold-related illnesses with an abundance of warm medicines, while the north mountain features various cold medicines for hot diseases. The east is home to seven types of haritaki, and the west hosts six potent medicines along with cold water stones, five spirit resins, hot springs, and five elixirs. Over the medicine forest, birds sing joyously, and around the forest, animals dance gleefully.
Visit Shangri-La Medicine Buddha Altar
At the heart of the Immeasurable Palace sits the throne adorned with various gemstones, guarded by divine creatures like lions, elephants, celestial horses, and peacocks. Seated upon the throne is the Medicine King, the Sapphire Radiance Tathagata, imparting teachings on medicine.
Legend has it that Medicine Buddha mandala rests atop Mount Meru, a mysterious and sacred place in cosmology. Geographically, it is believed to be located near Bodhgaya, the holy site of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, and the birthplace of the great scholar Padmasambhava.
The Sacred Realm of Medicine Buddha: Finding Peace and Healing
The Spiritual Oasis at Dujinemi Hotel
The Medicine Buddha City’s divine oracle provides a profound experience for all who enter. It washes away the complexities of the mind and the superficialities of reality, guiding individuals back to tranquility. The radiant light of Medicine Buddha – the Sapphire Radiance Tathagata – cleanses the mind of ailments and worldly complexities, bringing inner peace and rediscovery of truth.
Healing Light of Medicine Buddha
The Sapphire Radiance Tathagata, or Medicine Buddha, is a supreme healer. His medical prowess holds a powerful ability to rescue beings from suffering. Clad in monastic robes, he sits with a bowl of medicinal plant, Arura, in his left hand and a stem of Arura in his right hand, presenting a captivating image of healing.
The Tale of Medicine Buddha’s Color
In Tibetan folklore, there is a story related to the color of Medicine Buddha’s body. Legend has it that, during his travels, many animals were astonished by the color of his body. When asked by a woodcutter in a picturesque paradise about the reason behind his blue complexion, Medicine Buddha replied, “My body carries various diseases of the world, hence it turns blue.” This symbolizes the radiant blue light of sapphire.
Medicine Buddha City: A Cosmic Sanctuary
Also known as the Mandala of Medicine Buddha, represents the concentrated expression of the ideal realm where all sacred gatherings occur. Symbolizing eternity, the city is a unified structure divided into three courtyards, each representing different symbolic aspects.
- Outer Courtyard: Symbolizes the sacredness of the universe.
- Inner Courtyard: Represents a pattern that transforms an ordinary heart into a bodhi heart.
- Inner Collection: Symbolizes absolute balance and the purity of inner and outer energies.
Power of Medicine Buddha Chanting
Chanting the Medicine Buddha Mantra daily purifies negative karma, helping to avoid rebirth in lower realms. The mantra aids in overcoming diseases arising from attachment, hatred, jealousy, desire, and ignorance.
Enduring the Trials of Life
The Medicine Buddha possesses the ability to:
- Dispel Calamities and Difficulties: Chanting the Medicine Buddha’s name in times of disasters and difficulties transforms misfortune into fortune.
- Heal the Nation: Collective chanting can bring peace to a nation facing epidemics, wars, or natural disasters.
- Overcome Nightmares: Chanting the Medicine Buddha’s name dispels evil dreams and omens.
- Alleviate Fears: Confronting terrifying phenomena becomes manageable through sincere chanting.
- Ease Childbirth: Pregnant women chanting the Medicine Buddha’s name may experience reduced pain during childbirth.
Embracing the Power of Mind Transformation
The disasters we face in life are often the results of our karma, whether collective or individual. The power to change this lies within the transformation of our minds. When calamities approach, changing our mindset, sincerely repenting, and chanting the name of Medicine Buddha can alter our karma, bringing relief from calamities. Without changing our mindset and persisting in selfish actions, even chanting Medicine Buddha’s name might not bring the desired results.
Dispelling Ailments and Prolonging Life: The Healing Power of Medicine Buddha
Understanding the Origins of Human Suffering
In the human realm, various calamities arise from the “three poisons” – greed, anger, and ignorance. These poisons symbolize how initial ignorance can lead to desire, which gives rise to anger, further perpetuating ignorance. While everyone aspires to a healthy and long life, the inevitability of aging, illness, and death accompanies every embodied existence. Sickness threatens a healthy life, eventually confronting us with the prospect of death. Faced with these challenges, what can we do?
The Role of Medicine and Buddhism
While seeking medical help is one approach, the limitations of conventional medicine leave numerous ailments unresolved. Even the most skilled physicians often find themselves powerless. In such circumstances, invoking the blessings of Medicine Buddha and earnestly practicing the Medicine Buddha Dharma become crucial.
Mantra Chanting for Healing
Mantras, secret language of the Buddhas, carry incredible power. The Medicine Buddha Sutra states that Medicine Buddha, in the realm of “eliminating all sentient beings’ afflictions,” emanates great radiant light from his crown and proclaims powerful mantras. Chanting these mantras – a hundred and eight times – and administering them to a patient through medicine or pure water can lead to the natural eradication of ailments. Regularly reciting these mantras can prevent various illnesses and grant the practitioner health and longevity.
The Twelve Devas: Protectors of the Medicine Buddha Dharma
The Twelve Devas, also known as the Twelve Guardian Gods or Twelve Yaksha Generals, are celestial beings pledged to protect those who uphold the Medicine Buddha Dharma. They are named as follows: Garbhavira, Vajra-vartaka, Maitreya, Amdara, Nila, Sambara, Indra, Vajri, Makara, Manojna, Pancika, and Vikarala. These Devas rotate in leading their retinues to safeguard sentient beings during the twelve hours of the day and night, as well as the twelve months of the year.
The Eight Great Bodhisattvas
The Medicine Buddha Sutra also mentions that those who earnestly observe eight precepts for a year or three months and aspire to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Bliss, hearing the correct Dharma, will encounter the guidance of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas when facing death. These Bodhisattvas include Manjushri, Maitreya, Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta, Bhaisajyaguru, Bhaishajyaraja, Supratishthita, and Rashtrapala. Each Bodhisattva has their own unique qualities, embodying different virtues and merits.
The Auspicious “Ten Signs” and “Ten Auspicious Symbols”
The term “Langjue Wangdan,” translated as “Ten Signs” or “Ten Auspicious Symbols,” holds great significance in Tibetan Buddhism. This mystical symbol consists of seven Sanskrit letters, representing the elements of water, fire, wind, earth, and space. The remaining three symbols – sun, moon, and circle – signify body, wisdom, and emptiness. This symbol represents the universe’s intricate interconnections, expressing the highest doctrines of the Kalachakra Tantra.
Benefits of Ten Signs in Daily Life
The Ten Signs denote: self-liberation of life, self-liberation of the mind, self-liberation of aspirations, self-liberation of karma, self-liberation of birth, self-liberation of liberation, self-liberation of divine power, self-liberation of attributes, self-liberation of dharma, and self-liberation of wisdom. These signs enable freedom in the ten directions – east, south, west, north, southeast, southwest, northwest, northeast, above, and below – allowing practitioners to experience the universe’s boundless liberation. Believers can use the Ten Signs to avoid harm, repel poison, and ensure their family’s well-being. The symbol is commonly found on doors, walls, thangkas, and amulets for protection.
May the merits accumulated through these practices adorn the Pure Land, repay the kindness received from the Fourfold Assembly, and alleviate the suffering of sentient beings in the three realms. May all those who encounter and understand these teachings develop the bodhi mind and eventually attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Iconography and Symbolism in Traditional Tibetan Art: A Journey Through Sacred Imagery
Tibetan art is rich in symbolism, often drawing inspiration from Buddhist teachings and folklore. Here are some notable examples of traditional Tibetan art and their symbolic significance:
1. Six Longevity Symbols:
- Rock Longevity: Blessed by the Buddha of Infinite Life, stepping on this rock is believed to alleviate all troubles.
- Longevity Elder: Residing on the Longevity Rock, this elder, with white hair and a peach in hand, symbolizes longevity and good health.
- Water Longevity: Blessed by the Elder, drinking this water is thought to prevent aging, sickness, and death.
- Longevity Tree: Symbolizing robust health, this tree thrives with deep roots and abundant leaves.
- Crane Longevity : Known for charitable acts, this crane represents fearlessness.
- Longevity Deer: Enjoying the surroundings, this deer thrives on the water and grass in the area.
2. Indian Man Leading Elephant Picture:
- Wealth and Prosperity: This image represents an Indian man leading an elephant, signifying the entrance of wealth and prosperity into the home.
3. Mongolian Taming Tiger Picture:
- Protection Against Plague: Depicting a Mongolian figure taming a tiger, this picture is believed to prevent epidemics and bring good fortune.
4. Four Auspicious Symbols of Harmony:
- Harmony of Animals: Originating from the Jataka tales, this story illustrates four animals living harmoniously – a quail, a monkey, an elephant, and a hare.
- Symbol of Unity: Symbolizing respect for elders and love for the young, this artwork conveys peaceful coexistence.
5. Four Guardian Kings
Dhritarashtra, Guardian of the East: Compassion and Protection: Known as the Guardian of the East, Dhritarashtra embodies compassion and safeguards the eastern region.
Virudhaka, Guardian of the South: Commander of Growth: Virudhaka, the Guardian of the South, symbolizes the power to command growth and protect the southern region.
Virupaksha, Guardian of the West: Clarity and Observation: Virupaksha, the Guardian of the West, possesses the divine eye, symbolizing clarity and vigilant observation in protecting the western region.
Vaisravana, Guardian of the North: Abundance and Wealth: Also known as Kubera or Jambhala, Vaisravana is associated with abundance and the accumulation of wealth. It symbolizes the protection of the northern region.
These artworks, with their intricate details and symbolic meanings, play a significant role in Tibetan culture and spirituality. They serve as visual expressions of Buddhist principles and contribute to the harmonious coexistence of various aspects of life.
