Medicine Buddha Dharma Service
The Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru Buddha) is the Buddha of the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli (Light in the East.) When Medicine Buddha practices in his Bodhisattva ways, he made twelve great vows, wishing to relieve sentient beings from suffering and let them have sufficient capacities to enter liberation. Those who follow his vows in the practice of Buddhahood can reborn in his Lapis Lazuli Pure Land.
The Medicine Buddha Dharma Service is held every year at the end of the ninth lunar month to celebrate Medicine Buddha’s Birthday. All merits from the service will be dedicated to worldwide health, peace and harmony.
Medicine – We can obtain medication from drug stores, pharmacies, etc. to heal our sickness. However, we need the Buddha’s teaching to cure our mental and emotional problems. Therefore, this ‘medicine’ is even more important than those in the drug store.
Lapis Lazuli – It is one of the seven precious substances. In the world, there are physical treasures, such as gold and silver, pearls, agate, cornelian, etc. However, in relation to the Medicine Buddha, the lapis lazuli represents the spiritual treasure of his wisdom. It refers to a kind word or a Buddhist book to liberate us from afflictions. Thus, it is even better than worldly treasures. We should also be like the lapis lazuli for others, to help them and render happiness. We all have within each of us an inner treasure. We can help others not just with money but with our effort, our words and deeds.
Light – In the Dharma assembly of Medicine Buddha, many lamps are lit. Why are they lit? It is because light can break through the darkness and give us warmth, like the fire in the stove. Is there anything comparable to light in the world? Yes, only Buddha. The Buddha’s light is illuminating. Our mind is opened up when we recite Buddha’s name. It gives us warmth and support.
藥師法會
萬人廣修戒定慧 千家長明日月燈
消災延壽常歡慶 增福進德大地春
藥師佛又稱作藥師如來、藥師琉璃光如來、大醫王佛、醫王善逝、十二願王，為佛教東方淨土琉璃世界教主。藥師佛聖誕在每年農曆九月三十日，參加法會的十方信眾藉著虔誠誦經、稱念名號、禮拜聖像和點燈施供來禮讚這身如琉璃、內外明徹、淨無瑕穢、光明廣大的東方淨土琉璃世界教主。
藥師佛有日光、月光二菩薩脅侍左右，並稱為藥師三尊，又稱東方三聖，與西方三聖的阿彌陀佛、觀世音菩薩和大勢至菩薩，相互輝映。在《藥師經》中清楚載明藥師如來雖是東方之佛，但若有信者發願往生彌陀淨土，亦能藉著藥師如來威神之力，滿其所願，臨終蒙佛接引往生西方，蓮花化生。
藥師佛於過去世行菩薩道時，曾發利益眾生的十二微妙上願，願所有聞名受持藥師如來名號的有情眾生，眾病悉除，身心安樂，受用無缺，解脫憂苦，証得無上菩提。藥師佛之誓願不可思議，若有人身患重病，死衰相現，其眷屬若能於此人臨命終時，晝夜盡心供養禮拜藥師佛，讀誦藥師如來本願功德經四十九遍，燃四十九燈，造四十九天之五色綵幡，其人得以延生續命.
「燈」是光明與智慧的表徵，《菩薩藏經》中說：「百千燈明，懺除悔罪」，因此在佛前點燈，是藉著佛的智慧之燈所放出的光明，照破我們的無明，使我們心生慧解，成就我們的智慧波羅蜜。
《施燈功德經》提到點燈有八種功德利益:
1、得增上色—相貌端正；
2、得增上眷屬—得菩提善法眷屬；
3、得增上戒—能憶持戒法永不忘失；
4、於人、天中得增上生—於人天果報往生善處；
5、得增上信—於佛法得不壞淨信；
6、得增上辯—於佛法真理了了分明，得無礙智慧；
7、得增上聖道—能得無上解脫道；
8、得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提—成就無上等正覺。
讓我們懷著虔誠禮敬的心，一心稱念藥師如來名號，祈求藥師如來護佑信眾一切所求如願，福慧增長，吉祥如意；也祈願藉由燃燈的功德及藥師如來威德力的加被，點亮我們：
家庭倫理的心燈
尊敬和諧的心燈
祝福友愛的心燈
互相包容的心燈
守法服務的心燈
勤勞節儉的心燈
忍讓和平的心燈
般若智慧的心燈