Medicine Buddha – The Supreme Healer
Hand Painted Menla Sculpture: Noble One, you should think of yourself as someone who is sick,
Of the Dharma as the remedy,
Of the Buddha as a skillful doctor,
And of your diligent practice as the way to recovery.
The Medicine Buddha, or Bhaisajyaguru, is the Buddha of Healing. Meditating on the Medicine Buddha is considered to be a powerful method for increasing healing powers, allowing practitioners to alleviate their own sufferings as well as those of others. Through his boundless compassion and generosity, Bhaisajyaguru helps sincere seekers overcome physical illness and infirmity. But even more importantly, the Buddha is the skillful doctor who heals the great disease afflicting all sentient beings. By providing the Dharma as a profound antidote to the poisons of attachment, hatred, and ignorance, he lifts the veil of delusion and points the way to freedom.
Gestures and Attributes
The Buddha is depicted with his right hand extended downward, palm open, with thumb and index finger touching (like shown in this Hand Painted Menla Sculpture). This posture is known as Varada Mudra, or the gesture of granting wishes. This mudra symbolizes Bhaisajyaguru’s kindness, charity, and compassion toward all beings. In the same hand, he lightly grasps a sprig of the Myrobalan plant, an important healing herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed that this plant has the power not only to heal the body, but also to free one from the inner sicknesses of attachment, hatred, and ignorance. His left-hand lies in his lap with his palm upward in the gesture of meditation (Dhyana Mudra), representing the eradication of all sickness and suffering through the realization of absolute truth. In the same hand, he holds the traditional begging bowl of an ordained Buddhist monk. The bowl contains a sacred medicinal nectar that cures all ills, hindrances, and obstacles.
About this Hand Painted Menla Sculpture
This stunning sculpture is a magnificent depiction of the Medicine Buddha, expertly crafted by master artisans in Patan, Nepal. Cast from copper alloy using the intricate lost wax method, the figure is then gilded with 24-karat gold, adorned with a beautifully hand-painted face, and beautifully hand painted.
The Buddha sits regally upon a double lotus throne, expressing a graceful and dignified presence. With his head slightly bowed, he smiles softly in sublime meditation. His monastic robes drape beautifully across his shoulder and arm, exquisitely detailed throughout the statue.
The Buddha’s features are also masterfully carved, imbuing the sculpture with warmth and character. The stunning gold gilding, combined with the hand-painted face and beautiful hand painting, gives the piece a luminous quality, evoking the enlightened spiritual presence of the Buddha and inviting the viewer to pause and reflect.
This exceptional work of sacred art was individually handcrafted by master artisans of the Shakya clan, who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries.
The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. Each piece is a testament to the skill, dedication, and spiritual devotion of these remarkable artists.
