In the distant past, when the Medicine Buddha was a Bodhisattva, he is said to have taken twelve vows out of his great compassion. These vows included the task of awakening people's minds to Bodhichitta, providing beings with the materials necessary for living, leading them to wisdom and wholesome actions, as well as relieving people from deformities, illness, and other physical sufferings. After many lives of working to fulfill his vows, the Bodhisattva attained complete enlightenment, becoming the one we know as the Medicine Buddha. He is depicted here seated in the lotus posture, his body the color of Lapis Lazuli, wearing the robes of a Buddhist monk. In his left hand he bears a lapis-colored jar of medicine nectar, while his right hand rests on his knee, holding the stem of the aruna fruit.

The Medicine Buddha is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' healing qualities, associated with healing both physical and mental suffering. Making a connection with him by practicing meditation, reciting his mantra or even just saying his name helps us achieve our potential for ultimate healing.

The Eight Medicine Buddhas personify the ultimate source of healing. They prayed strongly for the temporal and ultimate happiness of all beings and vowed to actualize their prayers in degenerate times.

The thangka comes framed in a traditional silk brocade border.