Bhaisajyaguru is also known as the medicine Buddha, or the Buddha of healing, in Mahayana Buddhism. In China, he is venerated as one of the three principle Buddhas, the other two being Siddharta Gautama and Amitabha. When he attained enlightenment, he made twelve vows, which centred around the concept of helping others attain freedom from discomfort and pain. He is said to cure suffering through his teachings. The Mantra of the medicine Buddha is often recited in an attempt to combat sickness of all kinds, including mental and spiritual as well as physical.

This sculpture is marked out as a representation of the medicine Buddha by the small bowl that the figure is carrying in his left hand. His right arm is extended downwards, with the palm facing forwards. Other characteristics of the Buddha visible in this example include his tight curls of hair, topped with an ushnisha (a protuberance on the top of the head which is one of the Buddha’s key characteristics and which symbolises his enlightenment), and his elongated earlobes. Within East Asian belief, particularly Buddhism, large ears are seen as a sign of wisdom and compassion. The Buddha is often depicted with elongated ears to symbolise his ability to hear the cries of those who are suffering, and his sympathy and willingness to help ease their pain. It is therefore a comforting image, as it reminds those who see it that there is hope for an end to their sufferings through the search for enlightenment and the compassion of those who have reached it. Also visible on this example is a circular dot on the figure’s forehead. This is known as an urna, and is one of the 32 physical characteristics of the Buddha. It is usually thought to be a whorl of hair, but it also symbolises a third eye, a representation of enhanced vision beyond our physical universe and into the realm of the divine. This figure is also wearing elegant robes, with decorated edges.