Guru Padmasambhava as Orgyen Menla

This is a rare depiction of Buddha as a doctor, called Bhaishajyaguru. This form of the Buddha did not gain prominence in India but became popular in Tibet, China and Japan. As medicinal Buddha, he heals the body and mind in order to dispel ignorance. This concept is contained in the Bhaishajya Guru Sutra which was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese in the 4th century and subsequently into Tibetan. The identifying features of the medicinal Buddha are the pot he holds in his lap, and the gifting gesture of his hand (varada mudra) with a floral spray, both of which are depicted in this object. The pedestal also has the depiction of eight Buddha figures forming part of Bhaishajyaguru-mandala.