Medicine Buddha

​Updated: Nov 18, 2019

In 2018, the Palmo Center hosted the most auspicious historic visit of His Holiness Sakya Trichen, second only to His Holiness Dalia lama in Tibetan Buddhism. On that glorious day, many fortunate students received the Medicine Buddha empowerment from His Holiness. At the request of many students, our spiritual director, Jigme Thrinley Rinpoche gave a comprehensive teaching on the Medicine Buddha Sadhana on the Nov. 9 and 10, 2019 weekend. During this weekend retreat, Rinpoche revealed the history, psychology and benefit of the ancient Tibetan science of healing.

​The Medicine Buddha weekend retreat was held in our beautiful and inspiring temple in Cottage Grove. With clarity and humor Rinpoche eloquently talked about the history of the Medicine Buddha sutra, which was originally requested by Manjushree. Later this tradition was brought to Tibet from India in the 7th century by the great Indian Buddhist master the Abbot Shantarakshita of Nalanda University (725- 788), who conferred the teachings to the dharma Raja Tibetan king Trisong Deutsen. Since then, the teachings and practices of Medicine Buddha have flourished far and wide within all school of Tibetan Buddhism.

To the right of the Rinpoche Throne, was the Medicine Buddha Thangka, which was the object of our meditation. Rinpoche explained with profundity and great depth about the outer, inner and secret meaning of structure, function and symbolism of the Medicine Buddha deity yoga. 

Each session began with Rinpoche leading a guided meditation, followed by short preliminary prayers, and the offering of the body, speech and mind for the long life of Rinpoche and the flourishing of his dharma activity for the benefit of all sentient beings. 

In essence Rinpoche said, “for years now around the world, there has been growing understanding of the correlation of the mind and body and of the link between ill health and the way we cope with our stress and our emotions. Therefore, the central theme of this retreat is healing, be it religious or otherwise, whether Buddhist or Non-Buddhist, we all have to heal our body, our thoughts, perceptions, feelings, stories, memories and habits, physically and emotionally too. There is no one who does not seek healing”.

Rinpoche further taught that according to the ancient Tibetan science of healing, the three basic humors or energies of wind, bile and phlegm, can be altered or disrupted by the three destructive emotions of excessive desire, anger and closed-mindedness, through environment causes, general behavioral habits and diets. These disruptions to energy can be reduced and remedied with visualization, meditation and mantra recitation. Rinpoche also introduced some pranayama breathing exercises to harmonize the channels and energy, subsequently bringing comfort and ease to the mind and overall improved health. 

Participants left the retreat feeling nourished and rejuvenated by the blessing and the healing power of Medicine Buddha. If you would like to stay in touch and receive update on future upcoming retreat on Medicine Buddha or Death and Dying in 2020. Please register in advance as these retreats get sold out due to limited seating. 

Call (541) 335-1225 or Email [email protected]