Yakushi Nyorai

Yakushi Nyorai is the medecine Buddha and very important in Japanese Buddhism. Here is a short biography of him with his mantra.

Buddhism, especially esoteric Buddhism, has a very elaborate pantheon of Buddhas and othe dieties.  Yakushi Nyorai is one of them.  He is not a major Buddha in its importance but he is in the tier 2 ranking.  He is very important and popular in Tibetan, Tendai and Shingon (the 3 major esoteric schools).

Description

 

Yakushi (Baisajyaguru in Sanskrit) is called the medecine Buddha in English.  His Chinese characters mean： 薬: Medecine　and 師: master (as in teacher).  He is cherished in Japan as he is the master of the Eastern Pure Land (Lapus Lazuli) and helps people in this mortal life by granting them relief  from illness.  

According to the texts dedicated to him (theYakushi-kyō) , he  was a Boddhisatva who made twelve vows upon becoming a Buddha.  The twelve vows are:

1. To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.
2. To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.
   
3. To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.
   
4. To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.
   
5. To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.
   
6. To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.
   
7. To help relieve the destitute and the sick.
8. To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.
9. To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.
10. To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
11. To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.
12. To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes

Iconography

Most of the time, Yakushi Nyorai is depicted seating, draped in simple robes .  His right hand is often held up, palm open and facing the viewer, with fingers slighty curled.  This is the mudra (hand gesture) of Semui-in having the meaning of "fear not". 

In hs left hand, he very often holds a small jar said to contain medicine or a magical emarald capable of healing.  

If you look at the very top of this page, you'll see another picture of Yakushi and you can also see these characteristics.

When in temples, his statues are often surounded by others.  Most of the time, it is flanked by statues of the twelve heavenly generals, each representing one of his vows.  Other times, Yakushi is also flanked on the left by the Nikko (sunlight) Buddha and on the right by the Gakko (moonlight) Buddha.

He is very popular in the Kansai area of Japan as it is where Buddhism first took hold in Japan and he was one of the first Buddha to come to Japan.  Older temples, especially in the Tendai and Shingon traditions, are dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai.  

It is not uncommon for worshippers to rub the statues of Yakushi Nyorai while praying for healing.  They usually rub the corresponding area on the statue and then rub their own afflicted area. It is said to grant healing.

The statue to the left is in Todai-ji, Nara, just outside the main hall where you can see the Big Buddha.

Medecine Buddha Mantra

Calling the name of Yakushi, the medecie Buddha, is said to enlist his assistance.  The Sanskrit reading of his mantra is Om huru huru candāli mātoungi svāhā.

お ん　ころころ　せんだり　

まとうぎ　そわか

The Japanese version reads: Om Koro koro sendali matougi sokawa.

My personal experience

I'm not a very religious man but upon visitng Hieizan (the headquarters of the Tendai sect) I prayed at the site dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai and I had a vision of him welcoming me in a land filled with his followers who made the vow to help heal the rest of the world.  I took it as a sign that my chosen profession,  massage therapist, was  the right one for me.

I later bought a small sandalwood statue of him and it now adorns my altar.

Links

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