Medicine Buddha (Azure)

18” x 24” ◊ Ground mineral pigment and gold on cotton cloth

The Medicine Buddha is a distinctive form and image, representing the Buddha's innate capacity to embody healing for all sentient beings. His bold blue colour is likened to lapis lazuli. This stone symbolizes that which is rare and pure, and is said to have a curative or strengthening effect on those who wear it. For these reasons, plus the fact that deep blue light has a demonstrable healing effect on those who use it in visualization practices, lapis is often the colour of the principal Medicine Buddha. The great healing powers of the Buddhas are said to come from their compassion, wisdom, and skillful means to diagnose and treat the root delusions underlying all mental and physical malaise. The Medicine Buddha here is seated on a lotus throne, with a medicine bowl in his left hand and the the medicinal myrobalan plant held in his right hand. Azurite has been used to create the bold blue pigment for this thangka.