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The Medicine Buddha
In the year 1982 when the Venerable was still Dr.Chatsumarn Kabilsingh teaching at Thammasat University, she translated the Medicine Sutra into Thai for the first time.
In 1994 she was still a layperson, she saw the Medicine Buddha in her meditation. The Buddha was huge carved out of solid rock, there was an entrance on his right knee. People were seen going inside through this entrance to be blessed by the Buddha for healing.
She sketched what she saw and forgot all about it
In 2001 after her ordination, that was 7 year after that vision. She recalled the Medicine Buddha again and realized that possibly that would be the mission that the Medicine Buddha wanted her to do.
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In 1994 she was still a layperson, she saw the Medicine Buddha in her meditation. The Buddha was huge carved out of solid rock, there was an entrance on his right knee. People were seen going inside through this entrance to be blessed by the Buddha for healing.
She sketched what she saw and forgot all about it
In 2001 after her ordination, that was 7 year after that vision. She recalled the Medicine Buddha again and realized that possibly that would be the mission that the Medicine Buddha wanted her to do.
She spent one year travelling to various countries to see if there was such Medicine Buddha. Finally she decided to have it casted as Thailand is best known for Lost wax technique of casting images. She was particular about the facial expression and the lost wax technique would allow her to have the closest look of the Buddha which she saw in her vision.
The statue was ready in 2005 and placed on the first floor of the unfinished Vihara, the vihara itself was completed in 2008 when we celebrated Ven.Grandma’s centenary.
Since we started the project we recite 108 rounds of his mantra every week on the 8th and 15th day of both waxing and waning moon. Tibetan Rimpoche also came to break the ground before the building took place and when the Vihara was completed the Rimpoche also came to bless both the Medicine Buddha and the Vihara.
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The statue was ready in 2005 and placed on the first floor of the unfinished Vihara, the vihara itself was completed in 2008 when we celebrated Ven.Grandma’s centenary.
Since we started the project we recite 108 rounds of his mantra every week on the 8th and 15th day of both waxing and waning moon. Tibetan Rimpoche also came to break the ground before the building took place and when the Vihara was completed the Rimpoche also came to bless both the Medicine Buddha and the Vihara.
People come and ask for the Buddha’s blessing particularly for healing, but their prayers will be answered with their own commitment to observe precepts and avoid harming living things at least for 7 days.
The Thanka on the right (of the Buddha) is done by Chatthakur Kabilsingh. ( Picture)
The Vihara style was the work of Dr.Wanchai, and the interior decoration and many suggestions were given by Khun Anchalee Sirisamatthakarn.
The artist was Mr.Somchit who worked for Ven.Grandma also. He first created the wax image of the Buddha according to the sketch given to him.
The statue is 3.25 m. in height, the width at the knees is 108 inches, auspicious and popular number. The lotus seat is 50 cm. high and the throne was made with a special technique, it is one meter high. When the statue was casted, people added 486.4 gram of gold into the melting scaldron.
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