Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (Phật Dược Sư)

Phật Dược Sư (Sanskrit: Bhaisajyaguru), is the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahayana Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the "Medicine-Master Buddha", he is described as a doctor who cures suffering using the medicine of his teachings. He is also called formally Dược Sư Lưu Ly Quang Vương Phật (Medicine-Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha).

Because of his root vow is “Heal all sufferings and diseases of sentient beings” so he also has a name “Tiêu Tai Diên Thọ Dược Sư Phật” (the Medicine-Master Buddha who eradicates disasters and raises lifespan up for all sentient beings). As he has other six embodied Buddhas in order to instruct Dharma in seven realms at the same time so that they are respectively called “Thất Phật Dược Sư” (Seven Medicine-Master Buddhas). These seven Medicine-Master Buddhas are: 1. Thiện Danh Xưng Cát Tường Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Quang Thắng realm in the East; 2. Bảo Nguyệt Trí Nghiêm Quang Âm Tự Tại Vương Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Diệu Bảo realm in the East; 3. Kim Sắc Bảo Quang Diệu Hạnh Thành Tựu Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Viên Mãn Hương Tích realm in the East; 4. Vô Ưu Tối Thắng Cát Tường Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Vô Ưu realm in the East; 5. Pháp Hải Lôi Âm Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Pháp Tràng realm in the East; 6. Pháp Hải Thắng Du Hý Thần Thông Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Thiện Trụ Bảo Hải realm in the East; 7. Dược Sư Lưu Ly Quang Như Lai, teaching Dharma in Tịnh Lưu Ly realm in the East. His realm has name “Tịnh Lưu Ly”, from this Saba realm towards the East, to reach his realm it must go through Buddha’s realms as much as number of sand in ten Ganga rivers.

While he was practicing Bodhisattva’s actions, Bhaiṣajyaguru made twelve great vows. The Twelve Vows, as the followings:

1. To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.

2. To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.

3. To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.

4. To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.

5. To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.

6. To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.

7. To help relieve the destitute and the sick.

8. To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.

9. To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.

10. To help the oppressed be free from suffering.

11. To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.

12. To help clothes those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.

Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddha has two Bodhisattvas standing two sides, at left side is Nhật Quang Biến Chiều Bodhisattva and at right side is Nguyệt Quang Biến Chiếu Bodhisattva. These three Ones are call “Dược Sư Tam Tôn”. In addition, Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddha has other eight Bodhisattvas who are call helpers, they are: Văn Thù Sư Lợi Bodhisattva, Quán Thế Âm Bodhisattva, Đại Thế Chí Bodhisattva, Vô Tận Ý Bodhisattva, Bảo Đàn Hoa Bodhisattva, Dược Vương Bodhisattva, Dược Thượng Bodhisattva and Di Lặc Bodhisattva.

Namo Tiêu Tai Diên Thọ Dược Sư Lưu Ly Quang Vương Phật.

Hoang Minh Phu