Medicine Buddha?

[Namu Butsu]

Hello all,

What is the Medicine Buddha Mantra in Sanskrit? Is there a lot of ascetic practices in connection with medicine buddha?

[Bright Mirror]

the mantra in sanskrit:
namo bhagavate bhaisajyaguru vaiduryaprabharâjâya tathâgatâya arhate samyaksambuddhâya tadyathâ: om bhaisajye bhaisajye bhaisajya-samudgate svâhâ

Ascetic practices? Why would there be? Did you not hear that Buddha abandoned ascetic practices, because they do not lead to liberation?

If you are interested in practices in connection with the Buddha of Medicine, then simply read the Sutra of the Master of the Buddha of Medicine, the practices are written in detail, also the above mantra.

Namo Bhagavate Bhaisajyaguru!

[plwk]

Ascetic practices? Why would there be? Did you not hear that Buddha abandoned ascetic practices, because they do not lead to liberation?

Only those ascetic practices which are not conducive towards Final Liberation...
See: Dhutanga and some examples I can think of outside of the Theravada example are these: The Late Ven Master Hsuan Hua and The Hai Cheng Great Compassion Monastery

http://cttbusa.org/shurangama3/shurangama3_13.asp
"Stay far away from non-beneficial ascetic practices.”
These are bitter practices which are of no benefit, such as the way some people in India imitate the behavior of cows and dogs, sleep on beds of nails, or roll in ashes to cover their bodies with filth. What meaning is there in such practices? What aid is that in cultivating the Way? The filthier you are, the dirtier your mind is. When the outside gets dirty and you are always thinking about filth, your mind is also filthy. These are what are called “non-beneficial ascetic practices.” Do not engage in them. You should do things which are of benefit to people. Do not do things which are of no benefit to people. Stay far away from non-beneficial ascetic practices.

Is there a lot of ascetic practices in connection with medicine buddha?

From the Sutra itself:

http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/reso ... _sutra.htm
For seven days and seven nights they should hold the eight precepts and eat pure food.

The Eight Precepts:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... asila.html
6. Vikalabhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).

As I have read and heard from others, with reference on the practice of 8 Precepts, the observance of the 6th Precept is a resemblance on part of the dhutanga practice of 'ekásanika' (see: http://www.dhammadana.org/en/samgha/dhu ... od/dh5.htm ) or interpreted as the 'partaking of a single meal in one spot' (when h/she moves from that spot, h/she does not eat anymore for the day) as observed by the Ordained, and for the Laity, the partaking of a single meal per day when observing this Precept.

Pure Food: See Page 134 of the Commentary

If you are interested in practices in connection with the Buddha of Medicine, then simply read the Sutra of the Master of the Buddha of Medicine, the practices are written in detail, also the above mantra.

That may be true for exoteric Mahayana Traditions but when one follows a particular Buddhist Tradition, even then they differ in terms of how it is done e.g liturgical considerations on how they do it in the Chinese Mahayana may differ from how the Koreans have it. And assistance from the Ordained Sangha, the field of great merit, is also necessary:

http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/reso ... _sutra.htm
"At that time, if the sick person's relatives and friends, on his behalf, can take refuge with the World Honored One, Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata, and request members of the Sangha to recite this Sutra, to light seven layers of lamp, and to hang up the five colored banners for prolonging life, then it is possible for his spirit to return. As if in a dream, the person will see everything very clearly himself.

However, if one follows the Vajrayana Tradition, I understand from them that because there may be initiations and empowerments involved and with lineage blessings and Guru considerations, self practice may not be advised. The Sutra ritual text, mantra and mudras are normally passed on via oral transmission by the Lineage Gurus and must be followed as closely as possible, if not verbatim at times.