Material: Acrylic. Tassel. Embroidery. Pendant (Medicine Buddha)

Size: 7 X 4.5 cm

Description:

Medicine Buddha (Sanskrit: Bhaiṣajyaguru), full name Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, is one of the important Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. He is revered as the "Great Physician Buddha" and is famous for his sacred vows to cure physical and mental illnesses, eliminate disasters and prolong life. In Tibetan Buddhism, the image of Medicine Buddha and related instruments (such as pendants) have important religious and cultural significance and are widely used in practice, blessing and daily life. As a convenient religious relic, Medicine Buddha pendants carry the wishes of believers for health, longevity, peace and wisdom. Its influence and status are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. **Religious significance and vows**

Medicine Buddha is famous for his twelve great wishes, which cover eliminating the suffering of sentient beings, granting health, wealth, wisdom, and guiding sentient beings to the path of liberation. According to the "Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata Original Vow Merit Sutra", the power of Medicine Buddha includes freeing sentient beings from diseases, prolonging life, and eliminating obstacles. Therefore, wearing Medicine Buddha pendants is believed to obtain the Buddha's blessing and help believers achieve health, peace, and fulfillment of their wishes. In Tibetan Buddhism, Medicine Buddha is regarded as the leader of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World, and is listed as one of the two major Buddhas who solve the life and death problems of sentient beings, along with Amitabha Buddha in the Western Paradise. They have a lofty status.

2. **Combination of culture and folk beliefs**

In Tibetan Buddhist areas (such as Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia), the belief in Medicine Buddha is deeply rooted in the folk. Pendants, as a small instrument, have become a medium for believers to correspond to Medicine Buddha in their daily lives. Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes Tantric practice. Medicine Buddha pendants are not only a symbol of faith, but are also believed to have the functions of protecting the body, warding off evil, and purifying obstacles. By wearing pendants, believers can connect with the compassionate power of Medicine Buddha anytime and anywhere, praying for physical and mental health and a smooth career.

3. **Symbols of ritual and practice**

Medicine Buddha pendants are often associated with the practice of Medicine Buddha, such as reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra or the Medicine Buddha mantra ("Namo Bhagavati Bhissashe Lobusiluli Bo Lava Helojaya Tathagataye Alohati Samyak Sampatoya Tathagata Om Bhissashe Bhissashe Sammogadi Soha"). The practice of Medicine Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism (such as the Medicine Buddha ritual taught by Kagyu master Khenchen Tringu Rinpoche) emphasizes obtaining blessings through visualization, chanting and offerings. Pendants serve as auxiliary tools for practice, helping believers focus on the image and vows of Medicine Buddha.

4. **The value of art and symbolism**

In Tibetan Buddhism, Medicine Buddha pendants are often made of blue glass or metal, showing the typical image of Medicine Buddha: spiral hair on the top of the head, blue body like glass, holding a medicine bowl (full of nectar) in the left hand and a Haritaki fruit (the king of Tibetan medicine, symbolizing healing) in the right hand. The exquisite craftsmanship of these pendants reflects the artistic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and also carries the symbolic meaning of Medicine Buddha's purity and light. Wearing such pendants is believed to remind practitioners of the impermanence of life and death and encourage them to practice diligently.

How to use and origin of Medicine Buddha pendants

**Origin**

The origin of Medicine Buddha pendants is closely related to the culture of Tibetan Buddhist instruments. Tibetan Buddhism is characterized by Tantra, which emphasizes the importance of instruments in practice, such as rosary beads, vajra pistelli, skull bowls and prayer wheels. Medicine Buddha pendants, as a portable instrument, originated from the need of believers to carry the Buddha's blessing with them. The following are its main origins:

1. **Derived from the popularity of Medicine Buddha belief**

Medicine Buddha belief was introduced to Tibet during the reign of Songtsen Gampo, the king of Tubo in the 7th century. With the development of Tibetan Buddhism, the image and practice of Medicine Buddha gradually became part of the folk culture. In order to facilitate daily prayers and practice, believers began to make small Medicine Buddha statues or pendants, wearing them on their bodies or hanging them at home, so as to correspond to the power of Medicine Buddha at any time.

2. **Tradition of Tibetan Buddhist instruments**

The instrument culture of Tibetan Buddhism originated from the fusion of Indian Tantric Buddhism and the native Bon religion of Tibet, emphasizing the transmission of the blessing of the Dharma through material media (such as Buddha statues and instruments). The inspiration for the production of Medicine Buddha pendants may come from similar amulets (such as Kawu, which means amulet in Tibetan). These small instruments are usually made of metal, glass or wood, containing scriptures or sacred objects, symbolizing the protection of the Buddha.

3. **The symbolic meaning of the Haritan fruit**

Medicine Buddha pendants often feature a Haritan fruit (the king of Tibetan medicine) held in the right hand. This fruit is widely used in Tibetan medicine and has the effect of curing diseases and nourishing the throat. It is regarded as a symbol of the healing power of Medicine Buddha. The design of the pendant often highlights this feature to strengthen its connection with the medical function of Medicine Buddha.

**Usage**

Medicine Buddha pendants are used in various ways in Tibetan Buddhism, combining religious rituals, daily wear and spiritual practice, mainly including the following:

1. **Wearing to pray for blessings**

Believers wear Medicine Buddha pendants as necklaces, pendants or amulets on their bodies, believing that this can obtain the protection of Medicine Buddha at any time, especially for praying for health, disaster relief and longevity. When wearing it, believers usually chant the mantra or name of Medicine Buddha (such as "Namo Medicine Master Liuli Guang Tathagata") to enhance the connection with the Buddha.

2. **Offering and ritual use**

Medicine Buddha pendants are sometimes placed on altars at home or in cars as small offerings, along with Medicine Buddha images or scriptures. During Medicine Buddha practice rituals, believers may use the pendant as an aid to visualize the image of Medicine Buddha, focusing on the Buddha's blue glass light and twelve great vows.

3. **Purification and warding off evil spirits**

Tibetan Buddhism believes that Medicine Buddha pendants have the power to purify the body and mind, and can drive away disease, obstacles, and evil spirits. Believers may chant and touch the pendant when they feel uneasy or unwell, praying for the blessing of Medicine Buddha. For example, when playing or reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra, the pendant can be used as a medium to sense the Buddha's energy.

4. **Combining Tibetan medicine and practice**

The design of Medicine Buddha pendants is often related to Tibetan medical culture, especially the symbol of the terminalia fruit. Believers may wear the pendant with Tibetan medicine, believing that it can enhance the efficacy of the medicine or provide additional spiritual protection. In the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Medicine Buddha, practitioners may pray for the treatment of diseases or the purification of karma by visualizing Medicine Buddha's medicine bowl and harila fruit.

Summary

The Medicine Buddha pendant is an important belief and cultural carrier in Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting the compassionate vows and healing functions of Medicine Buddha as the "Great Physician Buddha". Its status stems from the profound influence of Medicine Buddha's twelve great vows and the importance of Tibetan Buddhism on ritual instruments. The origin of the pendant is closely related to the Tibetan Buddhist ritual instrument tradition, the popularity of Medicine Buddha belief and Tibetan medical culture. The ways of use include wearing it for blessing, offering, purifying the body and mind and assisting practice. Believers connect with the vows of Medicine Buddha through the pendant and pray for health, peace and wisdom. This small ritual instrument is not only easy to carry, but also integrates the blessing power of Medicine Buddha into daily life, and is deeply loved by Tibetan Buddhist believers.