Medicine Buddha – The Supreme Healer
Sangye Menlha Statue: 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. 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 Sangye Menlha Statue
This statue is a charming portrayal of Medicine Buddha, also known as Sangye Menlha. Expertly cast from copper alloy using the traditional lost wax method, it is gilded with 24-karat gold and features a hand-painted face. This sculpture profoundly represents Medicine Buddha, sitting gracefully in meditation upon a lotus throne, embodying the serene majesty of one who has achieved self-mastery.
With his head slightly inclined in Varada Mudra, the Buddha’s subtle smile evokes a sense of inner joy, inspiring feelings of encouragement and happiness in the observer. His monastic robes, beautifully draped across his shoulder and arm, are exquisitely carved with intricate details of leaves and vines. The lotus base is similarly adorned with hand-carved Vajras, leaves, and vines on both the front and back. The stunning 24-karat gold gilding adds a pleasing warmth to the sculpture, gently inviting contemplation and helping to transcend worldly concerns.
Individually handcrafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan, this sculpture is a testament to their exceptional skill and artistry. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for temples and monasteries. Their fine metalworking techniques have been meticulously passed down from generation to generation, preserving the rich heritage of their craft. This statue not only serves as a beautiful work of art but also as a profound symbol of spiritual significance.
