Bhaiṣajyaguru (“Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light”) is commonly referred to as the Medicine Buddha and considered to be a guardian of the East. The “Lapis Lazuli Light” in his name refers to the luminesce of the gem and symbolizes a land that is pure and untainted, as he is the Buddha of healing and medicine. The Buddha in this painting is surrounded by the Four Heavenly Kings in the back, and Sūryaprabha Bodhisattva stands on the left (whose specialty is sunlight) and to the right is Candraprabha Bodhisattva (who is associated with moonlight). Infront of the bodhisattvas stand the attendants, the protective deities Twelve Heavenly Generals. The Twelve Heavenly Generals also represent the twelve vows of the Medicine Buddha, and the Chinese zodiac symbols are shown on their heads, which also represent time. The Medicine Buddha is a protector that is always there to heal his followers.
The artist’s meticulous approach with this portraiture is seen in the exquisite colors and the harmoniously balanced substantial ink brushwork. The painting takes the solemn and dignified Buddhist portrait to a higher artistic level with the elegance and gracefulness created.
简中｜药师琉璃光如来
Paintings
Xia Jing Shan
color on paper
249x119
2012
題跋：藥師經中南無十二藥叉大將受佛威力舍諸惡趣 依隨藥師佛威力十二大願為己為轉惡為善護持正法 助一切有情修行時 遠離惱亂及種種疾苦怖畏直至圓滿佛果 所以十二藥叉大將是南無藥師佛十二大願的羯磨神 壬辰年五月於京都夏荊山敬題 印記：佛像肖形、夏氏荊山、楠竹居士、佛像妙法廣結善緣、夏氏荊山、楠竹居士、荊山書畫、佛像妙法廣結善緣、南無阿彌陀佛
MB-00001
