Buddha pendant, Ghau, Gau, ancient Tibetan. Medicine Buddha, Portable Protection Altar, Prayer Box, Buddhist Altar, Mantras.

Ghau, Gau, ancient Tibetan. Medicine Buddha, Bhaishajyaguru Portable Healing Altar, Healing Prayer Box, Buddhist Altar, Healing Mantra

Approximate date 1940s.

Dimensions of the ghau: height of 60mm, width of 43mm, thickness of 21mm Weight of 61 grams

The ghau is a kind of portable altar in which the image of the possessor's chosen deity is kept, wrapped in silken garments. The vast majority of Tibetans use ghau at home and carry it on their travels. They keep it on a real altar at home. When traveling, it is attached to the back belt. It serves as a protective symbol during travels and also allows its owner to prove his devotion to his deity.

Inside the rolls of paper containing the Medicine Buddha mantra

MEDICINE BUDDHA

The bodhisattva career of the Medicine Buddha is described in the

Bhaiṣajyaguru-sūtra, He made twelve vows, two of which specifically express

his desire to heal and save. He became a Buddha in a world named

Vaidūryanirbhāsa or “Like lapis lazuli”.

located in the East, where he is accompanied by the bodhisattvas Sūryaprabha (Clarity

Solar), on his left and Candraprabha (Lunar Clarity) on his right. In China, we

refers to the version of the sutra translated by Xuanzang: Bhaiṣajya guru Vaidūrya

Prabhāsa Pūrva praṇidhāna viśeṣa vistara (Yàoshī liúlíguāng rúlái běnyuàngōngdé

jīng 《藥師琉璃光如來本願功德經》).

Like Akshobhya, Bhaiṣajyaguru is master of an "eastern paradise" and can

form a pair with Amitābha, master of the “western paradise” Sukhāvatī. THE

Amitābha's paradise is also mentioned in the Bhaiṣajyaguru sūtra. According

the Sapta tathāgata-Pūrva praṇidhāna viśeṣa vistara (Sutra of the vow of the seven

tathāgatas), Bhaśajyaguru possesses seven emanations representing seven modalities

different ways of healing or protection. In Tibet his image can serve as

meditation support to overcome attachment and negative feelings. THE

Medicine Buddha or Sangye Menla (in Tibetan) is a Tantric deity

of Tibetan Buddhism.

Tantric meditation by Sangye Menla was introduced to Tibet in the 8th century.

century by Shantarakshita. This meditation was synthesized in the 19th century by

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. His mantra is considered to have great

strength against physical illnesses or to purify negative karma. In Japan,

Yakushi Nyorai has been a major cult in Japan since the 7th century

where he supplanted Akṣobhya (Ashuku).

Located to the east, it rather represents the rising sun, life, while Amida who

lies to the west is connected to the setting sun and the world of the dead. Sponsored

by the Tendai school which maintained close relations with the family

imperial, this master Buddha of the East was associated with the emperor.

He has sometimes been identified with Jizo. He is the 7th of the thirteen Buddhas of the

tradition of Shingon Buddhism, and as such is associated with the rites

funerals which take place at the end of 49 days after the death.

In the representations, and the particular mandalas dedicated to him,

he is assisted by Nikko the boddhisattva of sunlight and gakko of

moon light. He is also protected and served by 12 celestial generals,

yakshas which can have several meanings, such as hours, months,

directions, etc. However, it does not appear on the taizōkai mandalas and

kongōkai because its cult is not of tantric origin.

Among the many temples dedicated to him, the most famous is the

Yakushi-ji of Nara. In this same city, Hōryū-ji and Tō-ji house

also a statue of the Buddha of medicine, that of Hōryū-ji dating from the

middle of the seventh century. In China, he is revered for his virtues as a healer and

protector against calamities.

The most common rite consists of reading your vow 49 times, lighting 49 lamps

votives and hanging paper prayer flags for 49 days in a row. He

there are very few temples dedicated exclusively to him.

The group of eight medical Buddhas, its seven emanations accompanied by

Shākyamuni, can be replaced by another group including Manjushri,

Maitreya, Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Akṣayamati, Ratnacandanapuṣpa,

Bhaiṣajyarāja, and Bhaiṣajyasamudgata, (文殊師利; 彌勒; 觀世音; 大勢至; 無盡意; 寶檀華; 藥王;

藥上).