Medicine Buddha is a fully enlightened being who has unbiased compassion for all living beings. An enlightened being is one who is completely free from the darkness of ignorance. Enlightened beings emanate countless different forms for the benefit of living beings appearing in different forms such as deities, humans and non-humans.

He protects living beings from physical and mental sickness and other dangers and obstacles, and helps them to eradicate the three poisons – attachment, hatred, and ignorance – which are the source of all sickness and danger.

The practice of Medicine Buddha is a very powerful method for healing oneself and others, and for overcoming the inner sickness of attachment, hatred, and ignorance. If we rely upon Medicine Buddha with pure faith we shall definitely receive the blessings of these attainments.

His radiant body is azure blue. His left hand is in meditation mudra and holding a begging bowl full of long life nectar in his lap. His right hand is stretched outward indicating the gesture of supreme generosity as a sign that he gives protection from illness, and holds the myrobalan plant (a-ru-ra), which represents the best medicines. It is believed that offering prayers and seeking protection from Medicine Buddha will help to cure the illness. Even while taking medicines it is advised to chant the Medicine Buddha mantra. The Medicine Buddha Mantra goes as Tayata /Om Bekanze Bekanze /Maha BeKanze Radza/ Samudgate Soha.