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2026.10.06

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Medicine Buddha Twelve-General Healing Mantra — Śākyamuni's Mantra for Hard-to-Cure Illness (Recitation Taught by the Master)

Facing long, unhealed or grave illness, or various hard-to-cure conditions, beyond seeking active medical care, disciples of the Buddha also often recite mantras, pray and dedicate merit, to settle body and mind and form wholesome connections. This is the recitation of "Śākyamuni's Mantra for Hard-to-Cure Illness · the Medicine Buddha Twelve-General Healing Mantra," taught in person by Urgyen Topden Rinpoche — following the vows of the Medicine Buddha and the twelve yakṣa generals, recited devoutly before the Buddha for oneself or long-ill loved ones, praying that the suffering of illness be dispelled and body and mind be at peace. (Reciting mantras is a Buddhist prayer and aspiration, not a medical treatment, and cannot replace proper medical care; if you are unwell, please seek medical care.)

🎬 Mantra recitation tutorial (demonstrated by the master)

First Mantra

嗡・啊要藍爹・啊藍美・薛瑞比・薛瑞・薛瑞・嘛嘎西基・三拔哇度・刷哈

om・alante・alan-me・sribribhi・sri--sri・maka-scisambhavatu-svaha

Second Mantra

嗡・夏美・夏美・灑夏美・夏麻内・灑夏泥・刷哈

om・same-same・sasame・samane・sa-sani・svaha

Medicine Buddha Empowerment Mantra · Twelve-General Mantra

拿摩・拔嘎乏得・排曬及牙骨魯・懷都裏牙・玻喇拔喇加牙・打他嘎打牙。而哈得・三彌牙割・三菩達牙・打笛牙他・嗡・排曬及也・排曬及也・排曬及牙・三母的嘎得・司乏哈

namo bhagavate bhaisajya guru vaidulya prabha rajaya tathagataya rhate samyak sambuddha ya tadyatha om bhaisajye bhaisajye bhaisaira samud gate svaha

Twelve-General Aspiration Mantra for the Benefit of Beings

拿摩 namo・喇的拿的喇牙呀 ratnatrayaya・拿摩 namo

1. 宮毗羅 kuvira

2. 伐折羅 pacara

3. 迷企羅 mekara

4. 安底羅 andira

5. 領底羅 adira

6. 珊底羅 samtira

7. 因達羅 indara

8. 波夷羅 bhayara

9. 摩虎羅 mahura

10. 真達羅 cindara

11. 招杜羅 sutra

12. 毗羯羅 vikara

The great generals, vajra bodhisattva-mahāsattvas.

The Aspiration Words · How to Pray

Disciple ○○○ (your own name) now makes a Medicine Buddha bond before the Buddha for ○○○ (your own or another's name), praying that the Medicine Buddha bond thus made may help ○○○ (your own or another's name).

For example: may the suffering of illness be dispelled and recovery come soon; may misfortune be dissolved, all be peaceful and smooth, prosperity and benefactors arrive … and every wish be fulfilled.

I bow to the twelve great generals, the vajra bodhisattva-mahāsattvas; benefiting beings, may this aspiration be swiftly accomplished.

Prayer & Dedication for Hard-to-Cure Illness

Facing long, unhealed or grave illness, or various hard-to-cure conditions, you may devoutly recite the above Medicine Buddha mantras before the Buddha for yourself or a loved one, and dedicate the aspiration.

Pray with utmost sincerity: may the suffering of illness lessen, body and mind be at peace, medical care go smoothly, and recovery come soon.

Beyond reciting mantras, the Dharma stresses confessing karmic obscurations, practising generosity widely, and honouring parents and cherishing life — as merit grows, wholesome conditions naturally gather.

A gentle reminder: reciting mantras and praying is a spiritual refuge and aspiration, not medical care, and cannot replace proper medical treatment; if you are unwell, please seek medical care early and in the proper way, and do not delay.

My family member has a long, unhealed or hard-to-cure illness — what can a disciple of the Buddha do?

You may devoutly recite the Medicine Buddha mantra for them before the Buddha, offer lamps and smoke, and dedicate the aspiration, praying that their suffering lessen, body and mind be at peace, medical care go smoothly, and recovery come soon; at the same time, encourage active medical care and cooperation with treatment. Reciting mantras is a prayer and aspiration, not a medical treatment.

May the Medicine Buddha mantra be recited for others? What is required?

Recite it with a reverent and pure mind; you may dedicate the aspiration for yourself or for others (including long-ill or gravely ill loved ones). Following the master's "aspiration words," invoke the names and make the aspiration, for the benefit of beings.

How many times must I recite the Twelve-General Healing Mantra to get a response?

The essence lies in sincerity, not count. Based on your time: 108 times, 21 times, or 7 times daily is suitable, with long-term recitation being best. Beginners should master the First Mantra, then learn the Second Mantra and the Empowerment Mantra.

When is the best time to recite the Medicine Buddha Mantra?

Morning and evening practice, meditation, before/after medical treatment, major Dharma events, birthdays, or when family members undergo medical procedures are all suitable. Recite with palms joined before the Buddha for strongest effect; silent recitation on the way to the hospital is also acceptable.

What practices can accompany reciting the Medicine Buddha Mantra?

Recommended practices include "lamp offering, smoke offering, confession of karmic obscurations, and vegetarian recitation of the Buddha's name." Our association regularly holds Medicine Buddha Dharma Assemblies led by the Master—suitable for beginners.

What is the difference between the Medicine Buddha Mantra and the Twelve-General Mantra?

The First and Second Mantras come from "Śākyamuni's Mantra for Hard-to-Cure Illness"; the Empowerment Mantra is the root mantra of Medicine Buddha; the Twelve-General Mantras are the vow-mantras of the twelve Yakṣa Generals protecting beings. They may be recited in sequence for complete merit.

Can the Medicine Buddha Mantra be recited at a loved one's deathbed?

Yes. It is recommended to accompany it with Amitābha Buddha's name or the Heart Sūtra, to help the departed pass peacefully into a good rebirth. Our association also offers Chöd/Transference ceremonies for departed loved ones.