Healing Body and Mind
Yakushi Nyorai of Byodoji Temple
A Buddha carved by Kobo Daishi for us
About Yakushi Nyorai
The principal deity of Byodoji Temple is Yakushi Nyorai, formally known as Yakushi Ruriko-o Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha King of Lapis Lazuli Light).
Yakushi Nyorai is the lord of Joruri World, a pure Buddha land far to the east. To heal all our suffering and fulfill our wishes, he once made twelve great vows.
These vows are detailed in the 'Sutra of the Medicine Buddha' and continue to shine a light of hope upon us. Just as the Japanese have long cherished 'the rising sun in the east' as a symbol of rebirth and renewal, Yakushi Nyorai brings new light into our lives.
The Twelve Great Vows of Yakushi Nyorai
Long ago, when Yakushi Nyorai was still a bodhisattva in training, he made twelve great vows to save all living beings. Each vow is a powerful promise to address our troubles and guide us to happiness.
- First Great Vow：To make all beings radiant with Buddha light, just like himself.（Universal Light）
- Second Great Vow：To illuminate darkness with a pure body and guide all to the right path.（Radiant Clarity）
Vows of Healing
Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eleventh, and Twelfth Great Vows
In the main hall of Byodoji Temple, there are 'hakoguruma' (old-style wheelchairs) that testify to Yakushi Nyorai's healing power.
- Third Great Vow：To eliminate material poverty through infinite wisdom and means.（Inexhaustible Giving）
- Sixth Great Vow：To free all from physical disabilities and illness, granting health of body and mind with deep wisdom.（Perfection of All Senses）
This vow is the great reason why Yakushi Nyorai of Byodoji is known for benefits in cancer prevention, leg/hip health, and eye disease recovery. - Seventh Great Vow：To save those suffering from illness, without doctors, medicine, family, or home, and guide them to peace and enlightenment.（Healing and Peace）
This vow promises salvation from desperate situations—'without medicine, without family, in poverty and suffering'—conditions that still exist today. - Eleventh Great Vow：To save those suffering from hunger and thirst, providing the finest sustenance and the peace of Buddhist teachings.（Freedom from Hunger）
- Twelfth Great Vow：To save those lacking clothing and necessities, fulfilling their hearts.（Fulfillment of Needs）
- Fourth Great Vow：To bring those on wrong paths back to the right way, guiding from lesser to greater teachings.（Establishment in Mahayana）
- Fifth Great Vow：To protect those following Buddha's teachings from breaking precepts, and to save even those who have broken them.（Purity of Precepts）
- Eighth Great Vow：To free all from gender-specific difficulties, guiding them to healthy, empowered existence.（Liberation and Self-Realization）
- Ninth Great Vow：To free all from demonic temptation and false teachings, guiding them to right understanding and swift enlightenment.（Right View and Enlightenment）
- Tenth Great Vow：To free all from legal difficulties, disasters, and humiliation.（Freedom from Calamity）
These twelve vows are the unwavering determination of Yakushi Nyorai never to overlook any individual's suffering, but to surely lift them up.
The Buddha of Worldly Benefits
Saving us in this present life
The greatest characteristic of Yakushi Nyorai is worldly benefits—the power to remove our suffering in this present life and fulfill our wishes.
May all beings attain what they seek
（Let all living beings obtain what they desire）
Beyond recovery from illness and longevity, Yakushi Nyorai of Byodoji is especially known for great benefits regarding leg and hip pain, eye diseases, and the mental troubles unique to modern society.
The endless stream of visitors seeking prayers for cancer prevention from across Japan is testament to Yakushi Nyorai's vast power.
The Easternmost Yakushi Nyorai of Shikoku Pilgrimage
The Healing Buddha who illuminates us
Among the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku Pilgrimage, Yakushi Nyorai of Byodoji is enshrined at the easternmost point.
Just as the 'rising sun' symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and powerful energy, this eastern Yakushi Nyorai has continued to give hope to many as the 'supreme healer' among the Shikoku pilgrimage sites.
The three hakoguruma (old-style wheelchairs) dedicated in the main hall are crystallizations of gratitude from those who miraculously recovered from leg and hip ailments through Yakushi Nyorai's guidance.
The Story of Hakoguruma
A Buddha Statue by Kobo Daishi Kukai
Carved with all his might
About 1,200 years ago, in the year 814 (Konin 5), Kobo Daishi Kukai visited this land. During his ascetic practice, it is said that a golden Sanskrit character appeared in his heart, transforming into a medicine jar, and finally revealing the form of Yakushi Nyorai.
Deeply moved by this sacred vision, Kobo Daishi carved the Yakushi Nyorai statue with his own hands, using the reverent method of 'one cut, three prostrations'—bowing three times with each stroke of the chisel.
This is the principal image of Byodoji Temple—the seated Yakushi Nyorai—that you worship today.
A Figure Preserved Through the Ages
Later, during the Muromachi period, the statue was carefully restored by professional Buddhist sculptors using the traditional technique of yosegi-zukuri (joined-block construction) with lacquer and gold leaf, giving it its current radiant appearance.
Remarkably, only the 'medicine jar' held in the statue's left hand is said to be original from when Kobo Daishi created it.
From every angle, the statue shows an incredibly gentle expression that seems to embrace us—truly befitting the word 'Buddha,' with warmth and dignity combined.
The Five-Colored Rope
Forming a bond with Yakushi Nyorai
The stone steps leading to the main hall of Byodoji Temple total 71 steps: 13 before the main gate, 5 after passing through, and 53 up to the main hall.
Throughout the temple grounds, beautiful five-colored ropes flutter in the breeze. These ropes extend from the hand of Yakushi Nyorai all the way down to the main gate.
This is the temple's thoughtful accommodation for those who find climbing the stone steps difficult—by touching and grasping this rope with heartfelt devotion, they too can form a true bond with Yakushi Nyorai.
Please touch this rope and feel the warmth of Yakushi Nyorai.
The Buddhas Who Guard Yakushi Nyorai
Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas and the Twelve Divine Generals
Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu
Illuminating darkness with sunlight and moonlight
Right beside Yakushi Nyorai stand two reliable attendant Bodhisattvas.
As recorded in the 'Sutra of the Medicine Buddha,' they are the representatives of the countless Bodhisattvas in Yakushi Nyorai's Pure Land, firmly protecting the treasury of his teachings: Nikko Henjo (Sunlight) Bodhisattva and Gakko Henjo (Moonlight) Bodhisattva.
During the day, Nikko Bodhisattva, and at night, Gakko Bodhisattva take turns powerfully supporting Yakushi Nyorai's salvation work, delivering healing and peace of mind to us.
The Twelve Divine Generals
Protector deities guarding those who believe in Yakushi Nyorai
Furthermore, surrounding Yakushi Nyorai are the powerful guardians called the Twelve Divine Generals.
The Twelve Divine Generals correspond to the twelve zodiac signs, taking turns protecting all beings every two hours. Each general commands 7,000 followers, forming a mighty army of 84,000 that guards those who believe in Yakushi Nyorai and his teachings day and night, assisting the Buddha's work.
In the 'Sutra of the Medicine Buddha,' the Twelve Divine Generals made this powerful vow before Shakyamuni Buddha.We and our followers will protect those who revere and offer to the name of Yakushi Nyorai, free them from all suffering, and fulfill all their wishes
The Merit of Hearing Yakushi Nyorai's Name
The 'Sutra of the Medicine Buddha' repeatedly teaches that by hearing Yakushi Nyorai's name (hearing the name), remembering it in the heart (mindfulness), and sincerely taking refuge (devotion), great merit can be obtained.
For example, even those reborn as hungry ghosts or animals due to greed and selfishness—if they once heard Yakushi Nyorai's name when they were human—can be reborn as humans again through that memory and proceed on the right path.
Even those destined for the three evil realms of hell, hungry ghosts, or animals due to breaking precepts or losing right understanding—by hearing Yakushi Nyorai's name, they will abandon evil deeds, devote themselves to good, and avoid falling into evil destinies.
Even if one has fallen into evil realms, through the power of Yakushi Nyorai's original vow, they can be reborn as humans and proceed on the right path.
Furthermore, the sutra teaches that even those who enjoy conflict and harm each other—if they hear Yakushi Nyorai's name, all will develop compassionate hearts and come to benefit one another.
For those suffering from illness, if they sincerely chant Yakushi Nyorai's name, worship, and make offerings, their suffering will be removed, and children born to them will be healthy and wise.
Thus, Yakushi Nyorai's name holds great salvific power far beyond our imagination.
In Closing
Yakushi Nyorai of Byodoji Temple, through his deep connection with Kobo Daishi Kukai and the unwavering vows described in the sutras, has been protecting and healing us continuously for 1,200 years—truly a reliable Buddha.
If you are facing leg or hip pain, eye troubles, mental worries, various illnesses, or life's difficulties, please visit Byodoji Temple.
Experience fully the deep, warm light of Yakushi Nyorai's compassion.
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