Zen in Ten: "Liberating Beings from the Nets of Demons"

The Medicine Buddha's Vows to Heal and Comfort Afflicted Beings

The Medicine Buddha is associated with the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, which was thought to possess mystical, healing powers.

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1. Yakushi Nyorai is the buddha associated with healing. The name of this buddha in Sanskrit is Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata, meaning “master of medicine in healing.”

2. “The earliest mention of Bhaiṣajyaguru is found in a Mahayana text called the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍuryaprabharaja Sutra, or more commonly the Medicine Buddha Sutra. Sanskrit manuscripts of this sutra dating no later than the 7th century have been found at Bamiyan, Afghanistan and Gilgit, Pakistan, both of which were once part of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara.”¹

3. “The devotional cult of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) was one of the first to develop in Japan after Buddhism's introduction to the Japanese archipelago in the mid-sixth century. Concrete evidence of his worship on Japanese soil dates from the late seventh century during the reign of Emperor Tenmu. Originally venerated solely by ruling sovereigns and court elites for their own personal benefits (to cure life-threatening illnesses), Yakushi would later become the central deity in eighth-century rites to ensure the welfare of the entire realm.”²

4. “By the early ninth century, the deity was also called upon to placate vengeful calamity-causing spirits. During the Heian period (794–1185), Yakushi’s cult spread to all regions of Japan, evidenced by an explosive increase in the production of Yakushi images in the ninth and tenth centuries.”³

5. “In the left hand of Yakushi is a small jar of medicine to provide relief to those suffering from afflictions of the mind and body. The right hand of Yakushi is held up in the mudra to ease fear. Together these mudras display the message not to be afraid and come closer to take the medicine of the Dharma to relieve your suffering.”⁴

6. “Yakushi Nyorai can be venerated by anyone for any reason, but is most popularly venerated by those suffering from illness, injury, or malnutrition. A good way to practice with Yakushi Nyorai is to chant the mantra: ‘On koro koro sendari matougi sowaka,’ which is a petition to bring about healing. You can also gift an image of Yakushi Nyorai to an injured or ill loved one. The serene image may just bring about a calming effect. Another way of practicing with Yakushi Nyorai would be to place an image of Yakushi in a healing place such as a medicine cabinet or clinic, or, if one is a medical practitioner, to practice recitation of the Yakushi mantra before treating patients.”⁵

7. According to Medicine Buddha Sutra, “long ago the future Medicine Buddha, while following the bodhisattva path, vowed to do twelve things when he realized enlightenment. These were:

   1. He vowed that his body would shine with dazzling light and illuminate countless worlds.

   2. His radiant, pure body would bring those dwelling in darkness into light.”⁶

8. “He would provide sentient beings with their material needs.

   1. “He would guide those walking on deviant paths to find the way of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana).

   2. He would enable countless beings to keep the Precepts.”⁷

9. “He would heal physical afflictions so that all beings could be able-bodied.

   1. He would cause those who are sick and without a family to have healing and a family to care for them.

   2. He would cause women who are unhappy being women to become men. [I love being a woman, thank you very much!]

   3. He would liberate beings from the nets of demons and the bonds of "exterior" sects.”⁸

10. “He would cause those who are imprisoned and under threat of execution to be liberated from worry and suffering.

    1. He would cause those who are desperate for food and drink to be satiated,

    2. He would cause those who are poor, without clothes, and plagued by cold, heat and stinging insects to have fine garments and enjoyable surroundings.”⁹

This illustration of Medicine Buddha is used with permission from my Dharma friend Seigaku Amato.

1. O'Brien, Barbara. "Bhaisajyaguru: The Medicine Buddha." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/bhaisajyaguru-the-medicine-buddha-449982.

2. Schumacher, Mark. https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/yakushi.shtml

3. Ibid.

4. Amato, Seigaku. The Completed Illustrated Guide to Zen. Wisdom Publications, Somerville, MA, 2021.

5. Ibid.

6. O'Brien, Barbara. "Bhaisajyaguru: The Medicine Buddha." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/bhaisajyaguru-the-medicine-buddha-449982.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. Ibid.