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The Archetype of the Divine Healer

by Sangharakshita

The Divine Healer, identifiable in Egyptian and Greek myths, also appears in the White Lotus Sutra as both the Medicine Buddha and the Good Physician, in the parable of that name, who leaves his sons to cure themselves.

Talk given in 1971.

This talk is part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra.

Tracks (click play to listen)

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	1.	Myths, symbols and archetypes (6:11)
	2.	Thoth and Apollo (6:15)
	3.	The cult of Asklepios: Greek god of healing (9:08)
	4.	The Parable of the Good Physician (7:38)
	5.	The Divine Healer in Buddhism (10:27)
	6.	Bhaisajyaraja: the healing aspect of Buddhahood (8:39)
	7.	The appearance of Bhaisajyaraja in the Sutra (4:10)
	8.	The story of Bhaisajyaraja (5:07)
	9.	Self-immolation protests in Vietnam (13:02)
	10.	The eternally enlightened Buddha (5:52)
	11.	Interpretation of the parable (10:11)
	12.	The significance of individual effort (2:12)
	13.	Conclusion: the ongoing Drama (3:28)