Drotsang Monastery Prosperous Nation Hall: Medicine Buddha
Drotsang Monastery Prosperous Nation Hall: Medicine Buddha
CHINA, Qinghai, Ledu; Qing dynasty
This 17th century mural is painted along the veranda of the Prosperous Nation Hall. Medicine Buddha, also known as Bhaisajyaguru, resides in the Eastern Pure Land of Vaiduryanirbhasa. As a Bodhisattva, Bhaisajyaguru made 12 great vows to prevent beings from falling into the lower realms and to aid them in attaining the highest awakening.
Medicine Buddha has a blue body and wears an orange monastic robe. Seated in full lotus position on an inverted lotus throne, the Buddha holds an alms bowl in the left hand while the right hand forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The nimbus and aureole are surrounded by beautiful lotus flowers. This Buddha image is painted in Tibetan style; the other murals painted along the cloister depict scenes from the Life of the Buddha and have a distinctly Chinese appearance.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting A-H, page 206.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting A-H},
pages = 206,
title = {{Drotsang Monastery Prosperous Nation Hall: Medicine Buddha}},
volume = 14,
year = {2016}}