The Medicine Buddha mantra and its meaning
The text of the mantra, its Tibetan pronunciation and a word-by-word translation.
The short Medicine Buddha mantra is one of the most recited in Tibetan Buddhism. A long version (dhāraṇī) also appears in the sūtra.
The text
In Sanskrit: tadyathā oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaiṣajye mahābhaiṣajye bhaiṣajyarāja samudgate svāhā.
In Tibetan pronunciation it is often heard as “Tayata om bekandze bekandze maha bekandze radza samudgate soha”.
Word by word
- tadyathā: “thus”, a formula introducing the mantra.
- oṃ: sacred opening syllable.
- bhaiṣajye, bhaiṣajye: “remedy, remedy”.
- mahābhaiṣajye: “great remedy”.
- bhaiṣajyarāja samudgate: “king of remedies, arisen” or “exalted”.
- svāhā: closing formula, “so be it”.
In practice
Traditionally the mantra is recited with a mala while visualising the blue Buddha, and the recitation is dedicated to the welfare of all beings. Teachers stress that this is a spiritual practice, not a treatment. To hear the mantra, see music & mantras; to learn the practice from a teacher, see Services & places.
Read the articleThe twelve vows and the seven Medicine Buddhas