Chua Duoc Su

Buddhism is divided into many schools, among which the Pure Land school is the most flourishing. Currently, many monastics and lay practitioners cultivate this Dharma. However, if one can also practice the Medicine Buddha Dharma, it will be even more beneficial in determining rebirth in the Pure Land. As the Medicine Buddha Sutra says:

- If any sentient being observes the Eight Precepts and can hear the name of the Medicine Buddha, then at the time of death, eight Bodhisattvas will come to guide them to be reborn into the seven-jeweled lotus in the Western Pure Land.

The Lapis Lazuli Pure Land of the Medicine Buddha is in the East, ten Ganges River sands away from the Saha world. Shakyamuni Buddha repeated twice:

- The vast vows and magnificent merits of the Medicine Buddha's realm could not be fully described even if I spoke for an entire eon or more.

And He continued:

- But I can say right away that the Buddha realm is utterly pure, without women, without evil paths, and not even the sound of suffering. It is truly no different from the majestic merits of the Western Pure Land.

Although the scriptures say that the Eastern world is ten countless Buddhas away, in reality, the Medicine Buddha is not far from this world, but is right here in this life, very close to you, so whatever you ask for will be answered. Because the aspirations of all Buddhas are directed towards sentient beings. The Medicine Buddha, in particular, has such a connection with you, so you should turn to Him. Turning to Him is not about relying on Him, but if you rely on the Buddha's power for support, your good intentions will quickly be achieved, meaning self-effort combined with external power. The first and second vows also say:

- The radiance of the Medicine Buddha shines throughout the ten directions, illuminating even the realm of darkness. The two leading Bodhisattvas in the East, Sunlight and Moonlight, also frequently approach and bless you.

Faith is also essential for seeking rebirth in the Pure Land. Therefore, before assisting someone about to die, you need to know their practice and aspirations. If they regularly recite the name of the Medicine Buddha, you should assist them by reciting the name of the Medicine Buddha so that their rebirth is compatible. Because the Medicine Buddha said:

- From the realm of hungry ghosts or animals, if any being remembers and recites His name, they will immediately be freed from that existence, reborn as a human, remember their past lives, and know how to give alms.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to hear the name of the Medicine Buddha. Many people working in medicine or social work lack faith; it must be said that they lack the karmic connection and merit. Therefore, the Buddha Shakyamuni said:

- Ananda, a human body is difficult to obtain, but wholeheartedly believing in and respecting the Three Jewels is even more difficult, let alone hearing the name of the Medicine Buddha, Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, which is even more difficult."

Therefore, if you are involved in relief work, understand that the Medicine Buddha is ready to help you if you have faith and pray. Especially when you feel too alone, your strength is limited, or you feel stuck, lacking resources, or fear that your golden time will run out, when you feel helpless and powerless, then you know there is still an opportunity, still a place to knock on. From this, you know that although the Medicine Buddha is a Buddha in the East, he can still assist anyone who hears his name, and he will grant them benefit in their decision to be reborn in the Western Pure Land.

In daily life, if you practice the Pure Land Dharma and can avoid both favorable and unfavorable circumstances, and are no longer bound by worldly constraints, then this is extremely ideal. But among millions of people, perhaps only one or two are like that. Because you are an ordinary human being, you are constantly worried and anxious about your body, clothing, shelter, etc., as well as natural and man-made disasters such as storms, floods, fires, wars, etc. If you experience many illnesses, live in hardship and deprivation, or frequently encounter dangers from natural and man-made disasters, these are immense obstacles to your practice. But the Medicine Buddha Dharma is different. It not only addresses the transcendental principle of rebirth and Buddhahood, but also pays special attention to issues close to the practical lives of modern humanity. As mentioned in the scriptures, the benefits include:

- Eliminating calamities, averting misfortune, freeing oneself from suffering, attaining happiness, etc.

That is why the Medicine Buddha Dharma has many names:

1- The Dharma of the Medicine Buddha's Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata's Original Vows and Merits.

2- The Dharma of the Twelve Divine Generals' Beneficial Vows and Divine Mantras.

3- The Dharma of Eliminating All Karmic Obstacles.

This shows that Buddhism can also contribute to the well-being of families and society, and maintain national and world security. It can allow humanity to enjoy the benefits of Buddhism in real life. For those who consider Buddhism negative, pessimistic, and unbeneficial to human life, if they hear that the Medicine Buddha Dharma can assist humanity in maintaining worldly life, they will immediately no longer misunderstand Buddhism.

So, how does one practice the Medicine Buddha Dharma to be reborn in the Eastern Pure Land? It's very simple, just:

01- Set up a Medicine Buddha Dharma Hall

02- Recite the Medicine Buddha Sutra

03- Print the Medicine Buddha Sutra

04- Respectfully enshrine the Sutra

05- Recite the name of the Medicine Buddha

06- Listen to the name of the Medicine Buddha

07- Recite the Medicine Buddha Consecration Mantra

08- Make offerings to the Medicine Buddha

09- Create a statue of the Medicine Buddha

10- Introduce and promote the Medicine Buddha Sutra, guide people to recite the Medicine Buddha's name, and chant the Medicine Buddha mantra.

11- Create a Medicine Buddha lamp tower

12- Light the Medicine Buddha lamp

As you know, the Medicine Buddha has a connection and is close to the Saha world. He is the Supreme King of Medicine, compassionate and merciful to all beings suffering from illness. Therefore, all sick people should pray to Him, and so should those caring for the sick. Doctors, if they believe in and pray to the Medicine Buddha, will receive His blessings for ten times the effectiveness of their treatment. Besides focusing on healing the sick, the Medicine Buddha also cares for the poor, those lacking food, clothing, and material necessities. Therefore, all acts of humanity and charity in this life are part of the Medicine Buddha's vow. You can pray to Him. So, if you encounter a critical illness in the middle of the night, in a place without a doctor or medicine, what should you do?

Sometimes, seeing your loved ones in agonizing pain and feeling helpless, those who recite the Medicine Buddha Sutra understand that there is no hope. You can recite the Medicine Buddha mantra 108 times over the patient's drinking water or food. You can also chant His name or play a recording of the Medicine Buddha mantra for the patient to listen to. The pain will subside, the speed depending on the patient's faith. This method of healing with cold water is in accordance with the Dharma, not superstition like burning incense and plain water.

Practicing the Medicine Buddha Dharma means currently engaging in charitable work, dedicating the merits of reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra, chanting the Medicine Buddha's name, and reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra to pray for rebirth in the Eastern Pure Land and dedicating the merits to the poor, the sick, and all sentient beings in the Dharma realm. Therefore, you should tell people about the Medicine Buddha, the miraculous aspects of the sutra, his name, and the Medicine Buddha mantra.

Regardless of which Dharma practice you follow, you can pray to the Medicine Buddha to have fewer illnesses, less suffering, and favorable conditions for cultivation. Once you have cultivated, you have many ways to resolve karmic obstacles:

- Repentance and chanting the Buddha's name, practicing countermeasures, for example, if you killed in the past, now release animals; if you stole in the past, now give alms...

Some people think that praying to the Medicine Buddha or Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara shows a lack of understanding of the law of karma. But you are not doing anything wrong. Your prayer is in accordance with the original vows of the Buddha and Bodhisattva, giving you time to correct your past mistakes. The Buddha and Bodhisattva save you, not erase your karma. Your karma is your own responsibility. Therefore, you need a Medicine Buddha Dharma Hall for those who specialize in practicing the Medicine Buddha Dharma. Currently, due to circumstances, the Medicine Buddha Temple only has a temporary Medicine Buddha altar for practice, but this may be possible in the future. Many temples in Vietnam worship the seven Medicine Buddhas and have 49 Medicine Buddha lamps. The seven Medicine Buddhas are:

1. The Buddha, whose virtuous name is auspicious, resides in the realm of the Unconquerable.

2. The Buddha Precious Eye Majestic Wisdom Avalokiteshvara Self-Sovereign King, residing in the realm of wonderful Jewels

3. The Buddha Golden-Colored Wonderful Action Accomplishment, residing in the realm of Perfect Fragrance.

4. The Buddha Infinite Supreme Auspiciousness, residing in the realm of Serenity.

5. The Buddha of the Thunderous Sound of the Dharma Ocean, residing in the realm of Dharma Banner.

6. The Buddha of the Supreme Wisdom and Playful Supernatural Powers of the Dharma Ocean, residing in the realm of Good Abode and Precious Ocean.

7. The Buddha Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Light King, residing in the realm of Pure Lapis Lazuli.

This is a sacred place for those who need to light lamps to prolong their lives, to recite the Medicine Buddha mantra over water, to pray for peace, to practice the Eight Precepts, and to pray for rebirth in the Eastern Pure Land, with a higher level of protection than at home because it is more pure. Those practicing medicine, whether Eastern or Western, should worship the Medicine Buddha. You and those who like to do charity work are working for the Medicine Buddha, making it even easier to pray for rebirth in the Eastern Pure Land. Those who perform acupuncture, acupressure, rescue work, repair bridges, build roads, provide relief, give alms of food and porridge in hospitals, support poor patients' associations, and participate in flood and storm prevention are all silently working for the Medicine Buddha.

Those who understand the Medicine Buddha Sutra and recite the Medicine Buddha Mantra will not fear being cursed. Therefore, if your house is cursed, or you are bewitched, you can resolve it yourself through the inconceivable power of the Medicine Buddha Sutra and Mantra. In this case, silently recite:

- Namo Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Light King Buddha

To cope with daily anxieties such as illness, cold, hunger, and to pray for longevity, recite:

- Namo Medicine Buddha who dispels calamities and prolongs life

In this way, when visiting a relative in the hospital, you can bless all the other patients by silently reciting the name of the Medicine Buddha and dedicating the merit to them. This is a very practical form of spiritual comfort that anyone can do without needing money. Those patients feel a rapid improvement without knowing why, and you have just performed a paramita of generosity, practiced extending compassion to strangers, and understood that Buddhist practice can be done anywhere, anytime, when your mind is always filled with good thoughts. Because you think good thoughts, you think of good deeds to do. When good deeds surge like waves, you will always be busy with good deeds without getting tired.

Western medicine fully understands that illness can have a psychological origin, but Western medicine cannot understand illness caused by karma. If patients realize this, they will know how to heal themselves. Illness caused by karma is often persistent, incurable by medicine alone, and must be treated with therapies such as releasing animals, repentance, chanting Buddha's name, reciting mantras, giving alms, and observing precepts… A pharmacy may sell all kinds of medicines, ginseng, deer antler, cinnamon, etc., but it does not sell Dharma medicine. A good doctor, said to have a knack for healing, must prioritize medical ethics. If you only focus on getting rich, beware:

- A lifetime of practicing medicine leads to three generations of decline.

If you are dedicated, highly responsible, and have a conscience, you cannot compromise your virtue, and there is nothing to fear. Every day, your accumulated merit grows, and gradually you will have a house and a car because:

- With virtue, you have everything you need.

Don't look from one mountain to another, rushing into making money before accumulating even a little virtue, regardless of the consequences, even exploiting patients and making them spend money; then you will slide down the slope of your medical ethics. Therefore, a doctor, in addition to talent, enthusiasm, deep compassion, and constantly improving their skills, should also pray for the blessings of the Medicine Buddha. Patients who believe in the Medicine Buddha will meet such doctors. They know how to listen, how to use gentle words to explain, and are always ready to smile. That is giving without having to spend money, so that hospitals will forever remain places of healing, not places of hatred. May the physician forever be a loving mother, not a stepmother. The medical profession is one that easily brings blessings, but without conscience, blessings can turn into misfortune. According to the Sutra of the Medicine Buddha:

- The seventh vow is always directed towards poor patients suffering from incurable diseases.

- The third, eleventh, and twelfth vows are always to ensure that all sentient beings have enough food, clothing, and necessities.

- The fourth and ninth vows prevent sentient beings from falling into heresy, heterodox doctrines, or being harmed by spells and curses.

- The tenth vow shows compassion for sentient beings imprisoned and suffering in jails.

Understanding the vows of the Medicine Buddha will ensure that your prayers will be answered. Therefore, when the question is asked:

- Who will be guided to the Eastern Pure Land?

The answer is:

- Those who practice diligently and thoroughly.

Seeing this, you understand that diligent practice is highly valued, but many of you only like to talk about it without making an effort. You should know that the standard for rebirth in the Eastern Pure Land is equivalent to the standard for rebirth in the Western Pure Land. The original text in the sutra is:

- Furthermore, Manjushri, if among the seven assemblies of monks, nuns, Upasakas, Upasikas, and other devout believers, good men and women, and beyond, if there is anyone who observes the eight precepts, for a year or a year and three months, relying on the precepts as their place of practice, and with that virtuous root vows to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, the place where Amitabha Buddha teaches, to hear the True Dharma, but whose heart is not yet steadfast, and if they hear the name of the Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Light, then at the time of death, eight Bodhisattvas will guide them, and that person will naturally be reborn in the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli Flowers of various colors.

Similarly, if at one time Amitabha Buddha, out of compassion for his friends, only needs someone to recite his name, from one recitation to ten recitations, he will receive them in the Western Pure Land; similarly, if the Medicine Buddha only needs someone to hear his name at the time of death, he will immediately receive them. Furthermore, the Medicine Buddha was concerned about the lack of time for spiritual practice in daily life, so He bestowed the Medicine Buddha Consecration Mantra as a means of practice. This mantra has the following functions:

- Healing illnesses

- Longevity

- Fulfilling wishes

- Eliminating karmic obstacles

- Rebirth in the Eastern Pure Land.

The Medicine Buddha, or Bhaiśajyaguru, is, as his name suggests, connected with healing. His mantra exists in both long and short forms. In its long form, it is: Namo bhagavate bhaiśajyaguru vaidūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: oṃ bhaiśajye bhaiśajye bhaiśajya-samudgate svāhā. The short form is: Oṃ bhaiśajye bhaiśajye mahābhaiśajye bhaiśajyarāje samudgate svāhā.

- From the phrase "Namo" to "Sambuddha-Ya"

Meaning:

- Taking refuge in the World Honored Medicine Buddha, Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, Perfectly Enlightened One.

The merit of reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra, printing the sutra, expounding it, contemplating its meaning, venerating it, keeping it in a five-colored bag, and the merit of offering to the Dharma Master will fulfill all your desires, lead you to attain Bodhi enlightenment, and be protected and worshipped by the Four Heavenly Kings and countless relatives. Therefore, practicing the Medicine Buddha Dharma is a path to Buddhahood, and you will always have the hidden assistance of deities. No demons dare approach or disturb you because they fear the power of the twelve Great Yaksha Generals. This is a practice that sharpens the senses, enhances wisdom, increases knowledge, allows you to always meet virtuous friends, and frees you from birth, old age, sickness, death, and all suffering and sorrow.

In folklore, there are often stories of people being haunted by spirits. If this is true, you should use the Right Dharma to treat them, not follow evil methods of exorcism or curses. Using the Right Dharma means, on one hand, praying for the spirit's liberation, and on the other hand, reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra for the patient, teaching the patient to chant the name of the Medicine Buddha. The result is certain, and you won't lose money or suffer further harm. There are also stories of homeowners who often worry about being cursed by carpenters or masons during construction, but after understanding the Medicine Buddha Sutra, they have nothing to fear. First, treat the workers well; then, on the day of the housewarming ceremony, recite a period of the Medicine Buddha Sutra and offer a vegetarian meal; any curses will be dispelled.

From the above factors, you can understand that if you diligently practice at the Medicine Buddha Dharma Hall for seven days and nights, whatever you pray for will be granted, for example:

- Longevity, wealth, official position, and offspring.

Temples nowadays often set up Medicine Buddha Dharma Halls in January to pray for peace and well-being for everyone. But at the Medicine Buddha Temple, in January, the organizing committee also sets up a Medicine Buddha altar, and on the day of the Medicine Buddha's festival, there is also a Medicine Buddha altar to pray for peace and blessings for the people. Anyone who participates in this practice doesn't need to fear any misfortune or bad luck; just recite the Medicine Buddha Sutra, prostrate, chant the name of the Medicine Buddha, and recite the Medicine Buddha mantra, and the Right Dharma will grant you fearlessness.

The practice of lighting lamps to prolong life, as mentioned in the Medicine Buddha Sutra, is beyond your imagination. When a patient is on the verge of death, if their time is not yet up and their relatives are sincere, there is a way to bring them back to life. Even Ananda was surprised and asked the Bodhisattva of Salvation:

"Why is it that when life is almost over, they can still live?"

Only through the majestic and divine power of the Medicine Buddha Sutra can such miracles occur. If natural disasters such as droughts, storms, or epidemics occur, the sutra directs you to pray to the Medicine Buddha. Those who recite the Buddha's name and chant the Medicine Buddha Sutra are not subject to the nine kinds of untimely death, meaning they do not die unexpectedly.

You see that the compassion of the Medicine Buddha extends to even the most wicked beings. He saves beings who are stingy with their parents, those who violate precepts, those who follow false doctrines, those who are condemned to hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, the animal realm, and those who are dying, etc. There is no case that He has not saved. Even those who are unfilial, commit the five heinous crimes, and insult the Three Jewels, suffering karmic retribution, the Medicine Buddha shows them how to light lamps, make banners, release animals, and cultivate merit to save them.

Those who have committed sins and recite the Medicine Buddha's name will have their precepts purified. Therefore, one must understand that reciting the Medicine Buddha's name is a form of repentance. Chanting the Medicine Buddha mantra is also a form of repentance because of its power to remove all karmic obstacles. In this life, if you have ever recited or heard the name of the Medicine Buddha, even while still wandering in the cycle of reincarnation, you will forever carry that seed of goodness with you, so that whenever you remember it, you will be saved. In this life, if your dwelling is visited by evil birds like owls, or if your home is haunted by countless strange occurrences, causing you fear, you only need to recite the name of the Medicine Buddha to avert disaster.

Thanks to the protection of the Medicine Buddha, you will not fall into calamities:

- Fire, floods, poisoning, being eaten by wild animals, being bitten by snakes, war, theft; that is the peaceful life everyone desires.

Thus, the Medicine Buddha Consecration Mantra is very similar to the Western Pure Land Rebirth Mantra:

- Both have the power to remove all karmic obstacles.

- Both are means to seek rebirth in the Pure Land.

The Medicine Buddha Sutra has incredibly rich content, speaking about the vows and merits of the Medicine Buddha. Even Shakyamuni Buddha could not finish speaking about it in a lifetime, so how can you? Therefore, when reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra, you must:

- Recite, contemplate, and teach others to do good deeds. Reflect on the meaning of the scriptures to discover more wondrous things and apply their teachings to help sentient beings, dispelling the clouds of superstition and false doctrines. Be steadfast in believing that every step of your virtuous actions is guided by the light of Buddha, especially the light from the East.

In short, the Medicine Buddha Dharma, though simple, is profound, as taught by Guru Padmasambhava, a great Indian master. This practice helps heal any illness you may have and protects you from future illness. Of course, whether you apply meditation or any other technique, the ultimate method of healing must necessarily involve your mind, your virtuous mind. Above all, you must observe your mind and protect it from disturbing thoughts. While meditation practices related to the Medicine Buddha can help you receive blessings, the most important way is to practice protecting your mind in daily life to achieve peace and tranquility.

Therefore, whatever you do, the most important thing is to cultivate a good intention. Therefore, you should cultivate the following aspiration:

- The purpose of my life is to help all sentient beings escape from the problems and causes of those problems residing in their minds, and to bring all sentient beings to the shore of happiness and peace, especially the supreme happiness of perfect enlightenment.

To achieve this, your mind and body must be healthy, pure, and perfect. Therefore, for the purpose of bringing benefit to sentient beings as boundless as the vast space, you must sincerely pay homage to the Tathagata, the Tranquil One, the Perfected One, the Well-Gone One, immediately curing the illness that is causing you suffering now and helping you avoid all future illnesses.

At the same time, you must cultivate a firm belief that you have permanently overcome all illnesses and that you will never be sick again....