(: Medicine Buddha Dharma Practice :)

[Wesley1982]

It says from a book I'm reading that the Medicine Buddha practice is done primarily in the Kagyu school/tradition.

[kirtu]

It says from a book I'm reading that the Medicine Buddha practice is done primarily in the Kagyu school/tradition.

No, it's practiced in all the schools. Even long term retreat on Medicine Buddha is practiced in all the schools.

Kirt

[conebeckham]

The Medicine Buddha practice most (all?) Karma Kagyupas practice comes from Mingyur Dorje's NamCho (Shy Treasures). At least that's been my experience. So, one could say it's a Nyingma practice, at root...

Not that any of this matters. It's a good practice for anyone interested in healing energy and medicine.

[kirtu]

The Medicine Buddha practice most (all?) Karma Kagyupas practice comes from Mingyur Dorje's NamCho (Shy Treasures).

Really? WOW! Are other Nam Cho practices found in Karma Kagyu as well? Did these come from Karma Chagme spreading the teachings or from Mingyur Dorje's activity during his lifetime?

Kirt

[Stewart]

Yes, the main Amitabha/Amitayus and Powa practices in the Karma Kagyu come from the Namcho Cycle.

They came through Karma Chagme.

[conebeckham]

...also there's a popular Manjusri/Saraswati practice that is NamCho.

Karma Chagme also wrote quite a bit on "Sarma" Karma Kagyu practices. And on other Nyingma practices that Karma Kagyus practice--KarLing Shitro, for instance...

[Wesley1982]

Can you "visualize" the Buddhadharmas in front -(I mean sitting in front of)- your computer monitor? . . .

[kirtu]

Can you "visualize" the Buddhadharmas in front -(I mean sitting in front of)- your computer monitor? . . .

When you practice Medicine Buddha, turn off the computer, tv, radio, etc. Sit in a chari or on a cushion. Take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. You can imagine (this is a visualization) the Buddha or the Medicine Buddha representing all the Buddhas, also as the proclaimer of the Dharma (or the embodiment of the Dharma) and even the embodiment of the Sangha in his own body (or you can be a little more elaborate and imagine all the Arhats and Bodhisattvas and all the Buddhas of past, present and future surrounding him). So even this visualization as imagination can be condensed and simple (just imagine the Buddha or Medicine Buddha) or more complex as you prefer and can visualize. Or you just just feel that they are in front of you slightly higher than your head.

Create the mind of lovingkindness and universal compassion for all beings. Raise the intention of practicing in order to liberate all beings everywhere and ultimately recuse them from samsara.

Then go though the text you are using. If you are using the Thrangu Rinpoche book he has two text's from memory. One is sort of esoteric (dealing explicitly with light from the five elements and) so don't do that one (that one also doesn't have the mantra I think). The text will have the first two steps that I mentioned above. At the end of the practice dedicate the merit that you generated to liberate all beings.

Kirt

[Wesley1982]

yes, I'm reading that book.

[Wesley1982]

2 interpretations I've gotten from the book are -

"Light of Lapis Lazuli illuminate me so that I may illuminate others."

"May all who do good while on earth be reborn in Sukhavati."

[Tarpa]

There's a very good commentary on Medicine Buddha practice by Thrangu Rinpoche w/ sadhana at Shenpen-Osel
http://shenpen-osel.org/

[catmoon]

Most interesting, thanks. I got started on it today.