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Medicine Buddha, also known as Yaoshi fo, whose full name is Bhaishajyaguru, or the Medicine Master Light Buddha, is one of the Three Universal Buddhas, along with Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. According to the Bhaishajyaguru Sutra, Sunlight Bodhisattva and Moonlight Bodhisattva are the two principal attendants of Medicine Master Buddha. Together, Medicine Master Buddha and his two attendants are known as the "Three Holy Ones of the East.
Both Sun and Moon Bodhisattvas are the foremost among countless, immeasurable bodhisattvas. After the passing of Medicine Master Buddha, these two bodhisattvas will successively assume the Buddhahood, fully capable of upholding the true Dharma treasures of Medicine Master Buddha. Even after succeeding to the Buddhahood, they will still be known as the Medicine Master, the Radiant Light Tathagata.
In a past life, when Bhaisajyaguru was cultivating the bodhisattva path, he made twelve great vows, hoping to eliminate all diseases and afflictions in the world and dispel all demonic obstacles. Therefore, people often say that Bhaisajyaguru created the Pure Land of Eastern Glass, where all beings live happily and healthily, free from illness and demonic disturbances. After attaining Buddhahood, Medicine Master Buddha has always fulfilled his great vows. Consequently, in Chinese Buddhism, he is commonly invoked to eliminate calamities and prolong life, and people often refer to him as the 'Medicine Master Buddha who Eliminates Calamities and Prolongs Life.
Radiant as crystal, Medicine Master Buddha sits in serene meditation upon a lotus moon. His right hand bestows a myrobalan fruit, while his left offers a bowl brimming with healing nectar. This divine elixir is said to cure all the ills of sentient beings.
As detailed in the Sutra of the Seven Buddhas of Medicine, the Bodhisattva Manjusri once humbly requested the Buddha to reveal the names and profound vows of other enlightened beings for the sake of future generations. In response, the Buddha Shakyamuni expounded on the teachings of the Seven Medicine Buddhas, a practice particularly beneficial for those suffering in our troubled world.
These Seven Buddhas are considered to be emanations of the Medicine Buddha, and their names and vows are outlined in the sutra. They dwell in a pure land far to the east and have made profound vows to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings. Due to the Buddha Shakyamuni's pivotal role in revealing these teachings, he is sometimes included, and the group is referred to as the 'Eight Buddhas of Medicine'.
According to the Bhaishajyaguru Sutra, in the distant past, when the luminous Electric Light Tathagata walked the earth, preaching the threefold path to sentient beings, there lived a noble Brahmin who raised two sons. Deeply moved by the turmoil of the world, he made twelve great vows. In essence, these vows were: to be as beautiful as the Buddha; to illuminate others with his radiant body; to provide endless sustenance; to firmly establish in enlightenment; to maintain pure precepts; to possess perfect faculties; to enjoy perfect health; to transform women into men; to turn the wicked towards righteousness; to be free from calamities; to receive exquisite food; and to be adorned in fine garments.
The Electric Light Tathagata was so impressed by the Brahmin's vows that he renamed him 'King of Physicians' and his two sons 'Sun-Shine' and 'Moon-Shine'. This Brahmin, entrusted with such a sacred mission by the Tathagata, eventually attained enlightenment as the Medicine Buddha. He was named 'Medicine Buddha' because his seventh vow was to eradicate the sickness of birth and death, and colored light because his second vow was to illuminate the darkness of the three realms.
The 'Sun-Shine' son later became the Sun Bodhisattva, who, with his compassionate vows and universal wisdom, dispels the darkness of birth and death like the sun illuminating the world. Similarly, the 'Moon-Shine' son became the Moon Bodhisattva. Since then, the Medicine Buddha, together with his two great bodhisattvas, Sun and Moon, has guided countless beings toward enlightenment.
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