Medicine Buddha, or Amitabha, is the Buddha of infinite light. Oldest of the celestial Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism, he is said to have earned his place through karmic effort. In his left hand he holds a bowl filled with divine nectar. In his right hand he holds the mystical plant cherry plum.
Born in 563 B.C in Nepal, Buddha was originally referred to as Siddhartha and lived a rich, pleasant life as the son of the king of the Sakyas. After seeing suffering for the first time as a young man, he renounced his title and embraced asceticism. He eventually achieved enlightenment after meditating under a Bodhi tree.
It is said that during his meditation, he was almost deterred by the forces of temptation (Mara). To remain steadfast in his quest, he placed his hand upon the ground for the earth to witness his strength and commitment. Thus, the earth touching pose is a gesture of determination. Handmade in Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha.