Expert: Alex Wilding - 5/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Alex,
my name is Mose, I have been studying/practicing Teachings from the Gelug
school and from the Shambhala tradition.

I was wondering if there is any difference between practicing purification
relying on Vajrasattva  and the Medicine Buddha.

I am aware that both of Them are not two beings as we human beings are,
but are rather the manifestation of the Enlightened qualities of a Buddha.

So can it be said that both Vajrasattva and Medicine Buddha are completely
equivalent, especially when it comes to mantra recitations/visualizations (that
is, 'the power of the method')? Is there any difference?

ANSWER: Hi Mose,
It is often said that these deities are ultimately equivalent, so we can have confidence in either method. Vajrasattva practice is, of course, more commonly used for purification, and you will also find that many other "big" practices include an element of Vajrasattva - Special Foundations is an obvious example.
But if you are particularly drawn to Medicine Buddha, or if your teacher encourages you to do that, I can't see why there should be any problem. The effect is, after all, mainly going to depend on the quality of your practice.
So there is a slight difference in "flavour", but both can do the job!
I hope that helps a bit
All the best
Alex Wilding

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Alex,
thank you very much for your response.

It seems that I am drawn to the Medicine Buddha; I have read His Sutra (which
I found fascinating) and I am reading also a commentary on Shenpel Osel
magazine written by Thrangu Rinpoche.

However, thinking it over, I was just wondering if I am attracted to Him only
because of His blue color and because I see Him more like a 'person'
compared to Vajrasattva; since we said Medicine Buddha is not be intended
(as Vajrasattva) as a person, do you think that there is a danger of going off-
track, following this line of thought?

Thank you very much for your time.

Answer
Hi Mose,
> I am reading also a commentary on
> Shenpel Osel magazine written by
> Thrangu Rinpoche
Yes, I know it, an excellent resource and very thorough - useful background too for a lot of other practices.

I wouldn't make this all too heavy - what's wrong with just liking blue? And there are *always* dangers, ways we can lose track - just work on them as they arise.

In a way, though, I think you are asking the wrong person. If you need advice on which practice to pursue, that would best come from a qualified lama, in person. Do you have a chance to have an interview with someone you would trust for that sort of purpose?

All the best
Alex W