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Medicine Buddha.(Bhaiṣajyaguru )

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Shu Sung Wan

Gold Prize

"A profoundly tranquil and innovatively structured mixed-media artwork that gracefully translates sacred Buddhist philosophy into a luminous, multi-layered visual experience."

-------- Review from Future Art & Design Award

Winners Gallery displays only representative images (thumbnail) of each entry.

Project description

Medicine Buddha.(Bhaiṣajyaguru )

28cm x 76.5cm

Paper/ watercolour / colour pencil/ Light modeling paste / UV

2026

This work uses unconventional techniques to depict the ethereal and sacred realm of the Medicine Buddha.(Bhaiṣajyaguru ).To some extent, the Buddha’s form does not appear with a fixed shape, but is symbolized by the Buddha’s hands holding various ritual implements, colors, and mudras. The artist divides the composition into left and right halves, with a complete medicine bowl placed at the bottom center. The bowl is rendered with transparent UV to represent lapis lazuli, while deep, transparent blue lines or fragments embody the color of the Medicine Buddha. The process of purification is expressed by cutting translucent tracing paper into strips resembling wisps of blue smoke, which drift left and right as if smoky in form, radiating a power that signifies the healing of sentient beings’ physical and mental suffering—especially the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion. The medicine bowl is typically filled with nectar or the myrobalan fruit (represented by leaves). On the right side, a semi-transparent material is used to write mantras in the form of smoke, inscribing the complete heart mantra of the Medicine Buddha. The overall composition primarily symbolizes a state of pure, untainted clarity—both inner and outer—and a clear distinction between left and right. This does not mean the physical body transforms into lapis lazuli, but rather illustrates that the practitioner has eliminated all defilements and afflictions, so that body and mind become as transparent and luminous as lapis lazuli. It offers the viewer an interactive space and blessing of an energy field free from all impurity. Finally, in the framing and mounting, a lapis lazuli face is added to represent the appearance of the Medicine Buddha, implying that he sees the true nature of all phenomena, unclouded by ignorance. His “lapis lazuli body” signifies: pure as lapis lazuli—the perfection of the bodhisattva’s wisdom and compassion.

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