Here the Medical King, the Buddha, is seated at the center of the scroll. He holds a myrobalan plant and a medicine bowl. His sapphire blue body is radiating healing rays of energy to all suffering beings. He is surrounded by Bodhisattvas, Hindu gods, sages, Arhats and Jivaka (the personal Physician and surgeon of the Buddha Shakyamuni) etc. to whom he is imparting the Rgyud-bzud. The four gates of the palace are guarded by the four Lokapalas. All around the celestial palace are the many houses of the city in concentric layout. They are surrounded by gardens of medicinal herbs, pharmaceutical minerals, and hot springs. These are named in Tibetan script and language. In the outer concentric enclosure are trees as well as animals of medical importance. On the topmost panel are the Buddhas of Medicine along with the first Dalai Lama, Lo-Zan Gya-ts'so, who is depicted in the upper left corner. At the bottom, portion of verses pertaining to the Tibetan Medical Science are depicted.
The cult of Bhaishajyaguru is still very popular in Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea, where he is also called the 'Healing Buddha' and Manla. Medicine Buddha is said to dispense spiritual medicine when properly worshipped. It is a popular belief in these countries that an efficacious cure may be accomplished by merely touching the image of Medicine Buddha. The Bhaishajyaguru dharani describes special characteristics, rituals, and related legend of Bhaishajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha.
The thangka is crowded with figures and objects and has practically no empty space. Perhaps nothing is left in this painting pertaining to the legend of Bhaishajyaguru. It is very much suitable for invocation and ritual of Medicine Buddha.
References
Alice Getty, The Gods of Northern Buddhism, Tokyo, 1962
L.A. Waddell, Buddhism & Lamaism of Tibet,New Delhi,19 79 (reprint)
M.M. Rhie & R.A.F. Thurman, World of Transformation: Tibetan Art of Wisdom and Compassion, New York, 1999
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