The Healing Buddha Paperback - 2003

First line

CONCEPTS of healing held profound importance in the daily lives and spiritual work of the early Buddhist monks, according to the ancient texts of the Pali Canon.

From the jacket flap

This book presents important discourses that deal with the Healing Buddha in his various manifestations and discusses the many symbols, colors, and deities that are used as objects of meditation. The accompanying photographs of sculptures, paintings, and mandalas demonstrate the importance of art and aesthetic experience in Buddhist healing practices. Also included is a history of healing in the development of Buddhism from the earliest texts and the famous "Lotus Sutra to the Buddhism of Tibet, where elaborate ritual is used in the healing of body and mind. Some of the many herbs and medicines used to treat disease in the Buddhist cultures of Asia are described in an appendix. A new preface and a new essay on the search for long life in Chinese Buddhism have been added to this revised edition.

Media reviews

"Birnbaum's excellent book is a study of one of the most important Buddhas, the 'Master of Healing,' who specializes in healing illness, psychological and physical. After a chapter on the role of healing in Buddhism, the book discusses the various Buddhas and scriptures involved in this process, and the rituals through which curative power is released. A scholarly, sympathetic, and well-written book."—Religious Studies Review



"One couldn't ask for a better book on this very interesting subject."—Philosophy East & West

"A valuable contribution to our understanding of an aspect of Buddhism hitherto little known in the West."—John Blofeld