Bhaisajyaguru

Bhaisajyaguru (CH: Yaoshifo 藥師佛; ja: Yakushi; Ti: Sangye Menla), “Main healer” or Buddha of medicine , is one of the Bouddha S Mahayana of the past, become an emanation of Shakyamuni specialized in the material and spiritual cures and protection against the calamities. Its complete name is Bhaisajyaguruvaidūryaprabha, “Main healer of the light of Lapis-lazuli”.

Associated origin and deities

Its career of Bodhisattva is described in the Bhaisajyaguru-sutra . It made twelve wishes, of which two express its desire specifically to cure and save. It became Buddha in a field named Vaidūryanirbhāsa or “Pure lapis lazuli lazuli” located at the East, where it is accompanied by the bodhisattvas Suryaprabha (solar Clearness) in its line and Chandraprabhe (lunar Clearness) on its left. In China, one refers to the version of will sutra translated by Xuanzang: Bhaisajyaguru Vaidurya Prabhasa Purvapranidhanavisesavistara .

Like Akshobhya, Bhaisajyaguru is Master of a “Eastern paradise” and can form a pair with Amitabha, Master of the “Western paradise” Sukhavati. The paradise of Amitabha is mentioned besides in the Bhaisajyaguru will sutra .

According to the Saptatathàgata- will purvapranidhànavicesavistara (Sutra of the wish of the seven tathagatas), Bhaiajyaguru has seven emanations representing seven methods different of cure or protection. Sometimes Gautama is added to the group, forming all Eight Buddha doctors.

Twelve generals in armor, called yaksa , having each one under its orders seven thousand soldiers, help it to fight the diseases. They are Kumbira, Vajra, Mikila, Andira, Anila, Andila, Indra, Pajira, Mahoràga, Sindura, Catura and Vikaràla

Iconography

It generally is represented with the blue body (color of lapis lazuli), sitting out of dress of monk, holding an earthenware jar or a bowl of potion in its left hand whose position evokes the Mudrâ meditation, and in the line extended in gesture of gift a branch of will arura (terminalia chebulla). It can be accompanied by the bodhisattvas Suryaprabha (Nikko, Riguang) and Chandraprabha (Gakko, Yueguang) or by the Twelve generals. In China it seems sometimes with Shakyamuni and Amitabha, or this last, accompanied by Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta; it can also be represented only by the symbol of an earthenware jar or a pagoda.

There exist various types of Mandala S of Bhaisajyaguru. The complete mandala includes/understands the kings of the four directions, the Twelve generals, the Eight Buddhas doctors, different bodhisattvas, of the Hindu deities such Brahma, the patriarchs of the lines of the medical schools Tibetan (of which the fifth Dalai Lama), as well as eminent doctors and disciples. Bhaisajyaguru appears there in the center of Sudarsana, the city of medicine, sitted on a throne decorated with invaluable stones.

Worship

With the Japan

Yakushi Nyorai is the subject of an important worship in Japan since the 7th century when it supplanted Ashuku It represents in fact the rising sun, the life, Is, Amida being connected to the west and the world of deaths. Sponsored by the school Tendai which maintained the close relationships with the imperial family, this main Buddha of the East was associated with the emperor. It was sometimes identified with Jizo. It is one of the Thirteen Buddhas, and as a such associate with the funerary rites, but it is not reproduced on the mandalas Taïzôkaï and Kongôkaï because its worship is not tantric. Among the many temples which are devoted to him, most famous is the Yakushi-ji of Nara. In this same city, the Horyuji also shelters a statue of the Buddha of medicine dating from the middle of the 7th century.

With the Tibet

Contrary to Japan, one finds in Tibet of the mandalas of Bhaisajyaguru. Its image can be used as support of meditation to overcome the negative attachment and feelings.

Its will mantra is regarded as having a great force against the physical diseases or to purify a negative karma. Thus, the long form is repeated 108 times above water glass drunk then by the patient. Will mantra short or length can also be recited on the meat of the meal to offer a rebirth favorable to the killed animal.

In China

It is révéré for its virtues of healer and guard against the calamities. The rite more the current consists in reading 49 times its wish, lighting 49 votive lamps and extending 49 days of continuation of the flags of prayer out of paper. There exists very little of temples which are exclusively devoted to him. The group of the eight Buddhas doctors, its seven emanations accompanied by Shakyamuni, can be replaced by another group including/understanding Manjusri, Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta, Baotanhua, Aksayamati, Vimalanetra, Vimalagarbha and Maitreya.

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