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The healing Buddha.

Thomas S N Chen1, Peter S Y Chen

  • 1chenclan@yahoo.com

Journal of Medical Biography
|October 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The healing Buddha iconography combines Central Asian lapis lazuli and Indian myrobalan fruit traditions. This late Buddhist development offered spiritual, mental, and physical healing, remaining popular today.

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Area of Science:

  • Buddhist studies
  • History of medicine
  • Religious iconography

Background:

  • The healing Buddha emerged in Buddhist texts around the first century BC.
  • Earliest known icons of the healing Buddha date to the fourth century AD.
  • This indicates the healing Buddha cult was a later addition to Buddhist traditions.

Observation:

  • The healing Buddha's iconography integrates two distinct healing traditions.
  • Symbolism includes lapis lazuli (Central Asia) and myrobalan fruit (Ayurvedic medicine from India).
  • Worshippers sought aid for spiritual, mental, and physical ailments, including medical cures.

Findings:

  • The healing Buddha cult represents a relatively late development in Buddhism.
  • Devotees appealed to the healing Buddha for longevity and protection from calamities.

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  • In China, he was also venerated as a cosmic Buddha.

    • Implications:

    • The healing Buddha's influence extended beyond spiritual solace to encompass physical and existential well-being.
    • Faith-based healing practices associated with the healing Buddha persist in East Asia (China, Japan, Tibet).
    • The enduring appeal highlights the intersection of religious belief and holistic health practices across cultures.