The Medicine Buddha is a great teacher who purifies all obstacles and brings healing to the world. When the Medicine Buddha was practicing the Bodhisattva path in past lives, he made twelve great vows to relieve the suffering of sentient beings and bring them happiness including curing physical disabilities, relieving poverty, providing material needs, guiding those astray, and liberating prisoners. He is associated with a pure land in the East called Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa, or “Pure Lapis Lazuli”.
On the 29th day of the ninth lunar month, Buddhist disciples worldwide honor the birthday of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, known as the Medicine Buddha or the Great Medicine King. He is also referred to as the Buddha of Twelve Great Vows, embodying deep compassion and healing. Presiding over the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli Light in the East, the Medicine Buddha has inspired countless practitioners with his transformative teachings and boundless compassion.

Hua Zang Si, a Buddhist temple in the Mission District of San Francisco, California, held a Namo Medicine Buddha Holy Birthday Dharma Assembly on November 16, 2025. The next scheduled Dharma assembly will be the Namo Amitabha Buddha Dharma Assembly to be held on December 28, 9:30 am.