Medicine Buddha's Sanskrit name translates as Healing Master of Lapis Lazuli Radiance.  His left hand is in meditative posture, holding a monk's begging bowl filled with medicinal nectar.  His right hand is in the mudra of granting blessings and holds a myrobalan plant, known as the king of medicines because of its effectiveness in treating both mental and physical diseases.

Traditionally, Medicine Buddha is depicted with seven other Medicine Buddhas, one of whom is Shakyamuni Buddha.  In the past before the Medicine Buddhas had reached complete Enlightenment, they made extensive prayers for living beings and promised to actualize the prayers of beings, especially those of degenerate times when Dharma teachings are in decline.