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Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
A totally wonderful
book by Ishii Ayako.
Some images
shown here were
scanned from this
book; Japanese
language only;
192 pages;
80+ color photos
Click here to
buy book at Amazon
SANSKRIT IMAGES
With Permission
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YAKUSHI NYORAI
Literally Medicine Teacher
Buddha of Medicine & Healing
(Jp. = Also Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai)
Sanskrit: Bhaisaya, Bhaisajya, Bhaishajya, Bhaisajyaguru
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 6 / 7th Century AD
Two Attendants: Nikko (Suryaprabha) & Gakko (Candraprabha)
Also commands 12 Warrior Generals (the Twelve Yaksa)
Made 12 Vows as a Bodhisattva. Surrounded by Eight Bodhisattva.
Also manifests in Seven Forms (Shichibutsu Yakushi 七仏薬師)
Origin: India (possibly Northern Asia)
Last Update July 2007
Added Budou Yakushi (Grape Yakushi)
Added Yakushi Keka
Yakushi Nyorai, 191.5 cm, Wood
Nara Era (8th Century)
Shinyakushi-ji Temple 新薬師寺
Photo courtesy Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
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 revered throughout Japan as a powerful deity 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, 23 are dedicated to Yakushi, second only to the 29 sites dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy).
According to Kodo Matsunami, a noted Buddhist scholar and one-time chairperson of the Japan Buddhist Federation: "Because a mantra associated with Bhaishajyagura (Yakushi) refers to a daughter of a clan that lived in northern Asia, it has been suggested that this Buddha originated, not in India, but among nomadic tribes and was later incorporated into Buddhism. A major textual resource for this Buddha is the Sutra of the Master of Medicine (Bhaishajyaguru-vaidurya-prabha-raja-sutra)."
Sanskrit Seed Syllable 種子
Pronounced BEI 佩 in Japanese
Sanskrit = bhai
Mantra for Yakushi Nyorai
YAKUSHI BUDDHA
Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, & Other Spellings
Yakushi Buddha and Sho-Kannon
Praying Hands Amulet -- Available for Online Purchase
 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. He is also one of the Thirteen Buddha (Juusanbutsu 十三仏), who preside over the memorial services after one's death. Yakushi presides over the crucial service on the 49th day following death.
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, some 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, in some Japanese sculpture, Yakushi's right hand forms the so-called Yakushi Triple World Mudra, known as the Yakushi Sangai-in in Japanese, in which the thumb touches either the index finger or middle finger. Third, unlike images of Shaka, Yakushi usually (but not always) holds a sacred jewel or a jar of medicine in the left hand. In some traditions, 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 Houryuuji (Horyu-ji) Temple 法隆寺 in Nara, Yakushi-ji 薬師寺, and at Ganko-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Toshodai-ji. Saicho (767 - 822 AD), the founder of Japan's Tendai Sect, who traveled to China and brought numerous texts and artwork back to Japan, himself carved numerous statues of Yakushi.
Yakushi Keka 薬師悔過
Below text courtesy JAANUS
Keka 悔過 is a term used in Buddhism meaning repentance of one's sins, and refers to the chanting of prayers to various Buddhist deities to express repentance. When the ceremony is addressed to the Yakushi 薬師, it is known as Yakushi Keka. A very early example of the Yakushi Keka ceremony took place in the year 747, when prayers were said for the Emperor Shoumu's 聖武 recovery from illness. The ceremony itself consists of reciting repeatedly the name of the Yakushi Nyorai 薬師如来, and is said to have a magical quality because it is always carried out at night. It was very popular in the 8th and 9th centuries, as it was believed to silence the unquiet spirits of those who had fallen in political turmoil. <end JAANUS quote>
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.
Shichibutsu Yakushi 七仏薬師
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
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 (Kongokai) Mandara, nor in the Garbhadhatu (Taizokai) Mandara.
In Tibetan images, he is depicted beautifully in his own Mandala, aptly called "The Medicine Buddha Mandala."
 Yakushi-ji Temple
Below text adapted from:
Japan Nat'l Tourist Org.
Yakushi-ji Temple, adjoining Toshodai-ji, is the temple founded by Emperor Temmu in the 8th century, to pray for the recovery of his wife, the 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 magnificently decorated main hall (Garan) was at one time called "the Dragon's Palace on Land". The East Tower (To-Tou) in the precincts is the original structure, which has been preserved ever since its foundation and is the symbol of Nishi-no-Kyo.
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.
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).
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
Wood, 110.6 cm in Height
Hōrin-ji Temple 法輪寺, 法琳寺 in Nara.
Also spelled Hourinjin, Horinji.
Yakushi Nyorai, 7th Century AD
Gilt Bronze, Height = 63 cm
Houryuuji (Horyu-ji) Temple 法隆寺 in Nara
For more photos of Yakushi Nyorai,
please see the Nara Photo Tour Page
Grapes Yakushi, Budou Yakushi, 葡萄薬師
Below text courtesy Gabi Greve
This is a special statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine and Healing, in the wine-growing prefecture of Yamanashi (Japan), Katsunuma City 勝沼. During the Nara period, the famous Monk Gyoki 行基 visited the area and had a special dream about this deity one night. Yakushi was holding a bunch of grapes in his right hand, and in the other his usual medicine bottle. When he woke up, Gyoki started to carve the statue he had envisioned in his dream, and went on to found Daizen-ji Temple 大善寺 (designated a National Treasure), were the statue is still installed. It is the only statue of Yakushi holding grapes in Japan. In olden times, wine was one of the precious medicines of the day. Yakushi has since become the protector deity of the grape-growing farmers in this area. This is also the oldest part of Japan where real grapes, not wild mountain grapes, are grown. They make a drink called Budou Shu 葡萄 (ぶどう) 酒, a bit different from wine, made like Japanese sake. But latest research shows that the grapes of this area originate in the Caucasus area and might have reached Japan via the Silk Road and Buddhism. Or maybe migragory birds dropped the seeds ??? <end quote from Gabi Greve>
Who is Japanese Monk Gyōki (Gyoki) 行基. Gyōki (+668-749) descended from Korean immigrants. He was the director of the Buddhist community at Todai-ji Temple (Nara), and was instrumental in raising funds for the construction of a giant effigy of Birushana, the so-called Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Tōdaiji Temple. Legend contents that Emperor Shomu himself helped carry buckets of dirt during the construction of the giant bronze image of Birushana, which was reportedly finished in +752.
 LEARN MORE
Buddhist-Artwork.com.
Statues of Yakushi Nyorai are available
for online purchase at our sister site.
Miniature Amulet of Yakushi Buddha
Available for Online Purchase
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