|
Last Update June 24, 2003 = Added Photos
YAKUSHI NYORAI (or Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai)
Literally "Medicine Teacher"
Buddha of Medicine and Healing
Sanskrit: Bhaisaya, Bhaisajya, Bhaishajya, Bhaisajyaguru
Chinese Yaoshi Fo; Tibetan Sangs-rgyas Sman-bla; Mongol Otochic
Lord of "Pure Land of Bliss" in the Eastern Quarter of Heaven
The Pure Land of Lapis-Lazuli in the East 
One of first Buddhist deities to arrive Japan 6th / 7th Century AD
Two Attendants: Nikko (Suryaprabha) & Gakko (Candraprabha)
Also commands 12 Warrior Generals (the Twelve Yaksa)
Surrounded by Eight Bodhisattva
Origin: India
Yakushi Nyorai
Nara Era, Shinyakushi-ji
Photo courtesy Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
Sanskrit Seed Sound - BEI
Mantra for Yakushi Nyorai
Yakushi, the Buddha of healing and medicine, is often shown holding a small jar of medicine in his left hand, while his right hand is in the mudra position meaning "No Fear." When Buddhism came to Japan in the 6th century from Korea and China, Yakushi was among the first to arrive, and he quickly became reverred throughout Japan as a powerful god who could cure earthly suffering. Even today, he is one of the most cherished Buddhist figures -- among the 88 temples on the well-trodden Shikoku Pilgrimage (Shikoku Island), 23 are dedicated to Yakushi, second only to the 29 sites dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara; Bodhisattva of the Heart Sutra; commonly known in English as the Goddess of Mercy).
 Statues of the Yakushi Nyorai often look similar to those of the Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha), for both are typically unadorned (simple clothing and posture), and with the right hand held outward. Nonetheless, two rules of thumb can help to overcome most confusion when trying to identify the image. First, the fingers of Yakushi's right hand are often slightly curled (a gesture that represents the granting of wishes). Second, unlike images of Shaka, Yakushi usually (but not always) holds a jar of medicine in the right hand. The jar is said to contain a miraculous emerald that is capable of curing all sickness. Indeed, many of the Yakushi statues found throughout Japan were commissioned by sick people who were healed. Some of the most famous sculptures of Yakushi Nyorai are at Horyu-ji and Yakushi-ji in Nara.
Yakushi Nyorai is often protected and surrounded by the Juni Shinsho (Twelve Generals), ferocious warriors said to represent the Twelve Vows of the Yakushi Nyorai. Yakushi is also flanked on the left by the Nikko (sunlight) Bosatsu and on the right by the Gakko (moonlight) Bosatsu.
JAPANESE FOLKLORE
Statues of Yakushi within easy reach of believers are rubbed smooth. People rub part of the statue (knees, back, head), then rub the same part of their body, praying for Yakushi to heal their ailments (e.g., cancer, arthritis, headaches). The same "rubbing tradition" exists for Daikokuten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, and for Binzuru (Pindola Bharadvaja), the most widely revered of the Arhat in Japan. Statues of both are usually well worn, as the faithful rub the part of the effigy corresponding to the sick parts of their bodies. Both are reputed to have the gift of healing.
 The Seven Bodies or Forms of Yakushi
http://www.healing-touch.co.uk/yakushi2.htm
Some Sanskrit and Chinese texts describe seven "bodies" or emanations that Bhaisajyaguru (Yakushi) can assume during his functions as a healer. One of these emanation bodies (Japanese: Busshin) is sometimes considered as an independadant deity in Japan -- known as Zen Myosho Kichijo-o Nyorai, who is often confused with Yakushi Nyorai. The emanations are usually represented above the image of Yakushi or in the aureole. They are usually seated and display various gestures. They are sometimes just represented by their seed sylables, written in Sanskrit Siddham characters.
The Seven Healing Buddhas are:
- Zen Myosho Kichijo-o Nyorai, virtuous name and king of happiness
- Hogetsu Chigen Ko-on Jizai-o Nyorai, precious moon, majesty of wisdom, luminous sound and independant king
- Konjiki Hoko Myoko Joju Nyorai
- Muyu Saisho Kichijo Nyorai
- Hokairaion Nyorai
- Hokaisho Sui Yugi Jintsu Nyorai
- Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai
- Together they are known as the "Honzon," or principle deity
Besides Yakushi's twelve warriors (and his two acolytes Nikko & Gakko), Yakushi Nyorai is theoretically surrounded by eight great bodhisattvas:
- Manjushri
- Avalokitesvara
- Aksayamati
- Mahasthamaprapta
- Maitreya
- Bhaisajyasumudgata (Buddha of medicine)
- Bhaisajyaraja (Buddha of medicine)
- Hodange Bosatsu (in Japan)
These eight bodhisattvas are intended to show the faithful the road to the paradise of Amida (Amitabha). Among them are two Bodhisattvas of medicine -- Bhaisajyasumudgata (Japanese Yaku-o, the King of Medicine) and Bhaisajyaraja (Japanese Yaku-jo, Superior Physician). These latter two are brothers in the retinue of Amida -- they represent the purifying power of the sun. In paintings, they are typically shown holding a willow branch.
Yaku-o Bosatsu, the King of Medicine
Yaku-jo Bosatsu, the Superior Physician
Kan Yaku-o Yaku-jo Ni Bosatsu Kyo
Visualization of two Bodhisattva, the King of Medicine (Yaku-o) and the Superior Physician (Yaku-jo), brothers in the retinue of Amida Nyorai. The elder (Yaku-o) was the first to decide on his career as a Bodhisattva; he convinced his younger brother to take the same course. The two are sometimes portrayed as Pure-Eyed and Pure-Treasury. As a pair, they may represent diagnosis and treatment.
88-Temple Pilgramage in Shikoku
www.asunam.com/introduction_to_buddhas_.htm
 The second major deity among the 88 temples of the Shikoku Island Pilgramage is called Yakushi Nyorai in Japanese. Yakushi made twelve vows or resolutions, the seventh one being the resolution that he would disperse the illness of any person who called upon his name. "If my name be called for, I will cure any sick person, whose body and soul shall instantly feel tranquil and free from a sickly feeling". He is assisted by his two trusted attendants Nikko and Gakko, and also has under his jurisdiction twelve divine generals (Juni Shinsho), who represent his twelve great vows.
He is many times (and most popularly) portrayed carrying a pot of medicines in one hand, and it is from this pot that he dispenses healing medicines. These medicines heal both the sickness of body and the sickness of mind. Yakushi Nyorai is not depicted in the Vajaradhatu (Kongo-kai) Mandara, nor in the Garbhadhatu (Taizo-kai) Mandara.
In Tibetan images, he is depicted beautifully in his own Mandala, aptly called "The Medicine Buddha Mandala."
 Yakushi-ji Temple
www.jnto.go.jp/
eng/RTG/JHB/kinki/nara/
vicinity_of_nara/594.html
This famous temple, one of the "Seven Great Temples of Nara" and the headquarters of the Hosso sect, was constructed in 698 AD in another section of Nara and moved to its present location in 718. Yakushi-ji was originally designed by Emperor Temmu as an offering for the recovery of his wife, Empress Jito, from a life-threatening disease. In a strange twist of fate, the Emperor died, and the temple was finished by the Empress.
The temple suffered many fires and was almost completely destroyed during the civil disturbances of the 15th century. The famous East Pagoda survived as a remarkable example of the art of the Hakuho Period. The pagoda has intervening roofs called mokoshi between each floor, and thus appears to have six stories. The present Kondo (Main Hall) was painstakingly rebuilt in 1976 according to the original design and contains a National Treasure called the Yakushi Trinity. The central figure is Yakushi Nyorai, the god of medicine who is flanked by the two bodhisattvas, Nikko and Gakko ("Sunlight" and "Moonlight" respectively).
More Photos = Added on June and July 2003
Yakushi Nyorai Triad - Treasure of Chusonji, Late Heian Era
Photo courtesy of:
Yakushi Nyorai - Stone, Kamakura Era
Yakushi Nyorai - Wood, Kamakura Era
Yakushi Nyorai, Late 7th Century AD, Horyu-ji Temple
Yakushi Nyorai, 7th Century AD, Horyu-ji Temple
LEARN MORE
- 12 Vows of Yakushi Nyorai
- www.healing-touch.co.uk/yakushi.htm (Excellent site)
- Three Views of Yakushi - Nara National Museum
www.narahaku.go.jp/meihin/cyokoku/010.html
- www.uwrf.edu/history/art314c.html
- www.asunam.com/introduction_to_buddhas_.htm
- www.jnto.go.jp/eng/RTG/JHB/kinki/nara/vicinity_of_nara/594.html
- www.mandala.co.jp/echoes/
88-temple pilgramage in Shikoku (1,300 kilometers)
- www.connectedjapan.com/100days/100days.htm
More information about the Shikoku pilgramage
- www.butsuzou.com/jiten/yakusi.html
Photo of Yakushi Nyorai Triad (for online sale)
|
