Medicine Buddha Mandala (Sanskrit: Bhaishajyaguru mandala. Tibetan: sang gye men la kyil kor. English: the Buddha, Guru of Medicine). At the center representing the goddess Prajnaparamita is the sutra (text) by the same name.

Tibetan: Sang gye men la

When painting tangkas of Medicine Buddha he switches places with Prajnaparamita and occupies one of the eight minor positions surrounding the center. Some paintings actually portray the Goddess herelf rather than using the sutra text.

The form and practice of Medicine Buddha is derived from the Bhaishajyaguru Sutra taught by Lord Shakyamuni. In the Vajrayana Tradition this sutra is classified as a Kriya Tantra. Common to all schools of Tibetan Buddhism Medicine Buddha is particularly important to the medical traditions.

Jeff Watt 9-2000