Held on the night of the 8th each month
The 8th is the ennichi of Bhaisajyaguru. At Byodoji we perform the goma before the Medicine Buddha from 8:00 p.m. on the 8th of every month.
Services
Yakushi Goma
On the night of the 8th of each month, Yakushi's ennichi, we perform the goma before Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of medicine and healing.
Prayers for recovery from illness, good health, and freedom from sickness are entrusted to the wisdom-fire of Bhaisajyaguru. You can apply online.
Next service
November 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Online prayer offering ¥500 per prayer
Table of Contents
At a glance
from 8:00 p.m.
8th of each month Yakushi Goma
Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of medicine and healing
Bhaisajyaguru presides over the Pure Lapis Lazuli World in the east and vowed to remove the illnesses of living beings and bring peace to body and mind. His full name is the Medicine Master Tathāgata of Lapis Lazuli Radiance (Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai).
A rite for increasing benefits (zoyaku)
Zoyaku means increasing good fortune, length of life, and the strength of body and mind. Looking to Bhaisajyaguru's vow to remove illness and grant ease, we pray for recovery and for peace of body and mind.
You can apply online
Submit your name and wish from home. Each name and wish is read aloud and prayed for at the service, and you can attend remotely by live stream.
Schedule and details
About the Yakushi Goma
In the Yakushi Goma, we perform the goma before Bhaisajyaguru and pray for recovery from illness and peace of body and mind.
A goma is a Shingon rite of prayer in which the wisdom-fire is kindled in the goma hearth and, while the mantra is recited, goma sticks are offered one by one into the flame. We read aloud each applicant's name and wish as we offer the sticks and pray.
Bhaisajyaguru vowed to remove the illnesses of beings and make body and mind at peace. Looking to that power to free beings from illness, we pray for healing, health, and the averting of calamity.
The 8th is Yakushi's ennichi
The 8th of each month is the ennichi of Bhaisajyaguru. An ennichi is a day of deep connection with a particular buddha, and it has long been said that visiting or receiving prayers on that day brings more merit than usual.
At Byodoji we perform the Yakushi Goma on the 8th, Yakushi's ennichi, praying for the health and well-being of that month.
Bhaisajyaguru's vow and mantra
Bhaisajyaguru is the Buddha who himself vowed to remove the illnesses of beings and make both body and mind at peace.
The Bhaisajyaguru Sutra sets out the Twelve Great Vows he made while still a bodhisattva. The seventh is a vow to save beings who suffer from illness.
Words of the sutra
- Translation
- When I attain awakening in a future life, even if beings are tormented by many illnesses, without rescue or refuge, without physician or medicine, without kin or home, poor and burdened with suffering, may all their illnesses be wholly removed and their body and mind made at peace the moment my name reaches their ears.
- Original text
May it be that, when I attain awakening in a future life, if beings are oppressed by many illnesses, with no rescue and no refuge, no physician and no medicine, no kin and no home, poor and full of suffering, then as soon as my name once reaches their ears, all their illnesses shall be removed and their body and mind made at peace.
- Source
- Seventh Great Vow, Bhaisajyaguru Sutra, trans. Xuanzang (Taisho No. 450)
The work of Bhaisajyaguru
Freedom from illness, ease (jobyo-anraku)
Bhaisajyaguru's root vow to remove illness and grant ease. This is the basis of prayers for recovery.
Peace of body and mind (shinjin-anraku)
Easing not only the body but the suffering of the mind, bringing peace.
Averting calamity, long life (sokusai-enmei)
Removing misfortune and keeping life well and whole.
Mantra of Bhaisajyaguru
on korokoro sendari matōgi sowaka
oṃ huru huru caṇḍāli mātaṅgi svāhā
Widely recited as the heart mantra of Bhaisajyaguru, it is chanted to remove the suffering of illness and to pray for peace of body and mind.
Amulets and talismans for this service
Along with your prayer request, you can receive items matched to the honzon of this service.
Bhaiṣajyaguru wooden tag Small 24cm
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Bhaiṣajyaguru wooden tag large 30 cm
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Bhaiṣajyaguru ofuda 30cm S
Apply for one prayer and one item together.
Items are delivered after the prayer service. You can change the wish and quantity on the application screen.
How the goma unfolds
The Ennichi Yakushi Goma for increasing benefits is performed in the Main Hall as follows.
STEP 1
Making offerings to Bhaisajyaguru
Following the rite handed down from Kōbō Daishi to Byodoji, the officiant quietly makes offerings to Bhaisajyaguru, the principal image.
STEP 2
Entering the goma for increasing benefits
About thirty to forty minutes into the rite, the officiant kindles the wisdom-fire (the fire of the Buddha's wisdom) in the goma hearth. From here the rite moves into the special goma called zoyaku, for increasing benefits.
STEP 3
Reading the prayers and dedicating the merit
When the wisdom-fire has grown to its fullest, the officiant reads aloud each name and wish and dedicates the merit of the Yakushi Goma to each applicant. Amulets and talismans are also blessed at this time.
You may pray for your own peace of body and mind, and also for the recovery of your family and those close to you.
Wishes you can entrust
The Yakushi Goma can hold many prayers for the well-being of body and mind.
Recovery, good health
For those who pray for recovery from illness and the keeping of health.
Successful surgery, recovery
For those facing surgery or treatment, and for the family who pray for their recovery.
Freedom from illness, ease
For those who wish to ease bodily trouble or heaviness of heart and be at peace.
Averting calamity, well-being
For those who wish to keep misfortune at a distance and live in good health.
Cognitive well-being
For those who have begun to worry about forgetfulness, and for families who care for a parent living far away, praying for a sound and clear mind.
Safe childbirth
For expectant mothers and families who pray for a safe delivery. Also accepted at the Jizō Goma on the 24th of each month.
Apply
You can apply at the temple office or online. Names and wishes submitted online are also read aloud and prayed for at the goma at Byodoji. You can attend the service by live stream.
Yakushi Goma
8th of each month, 8:00 p.m. / Now accepting
Performed on the night of Yakushi's ennichi, before Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of medicine and healing.
Select "Yakushi Goma" in the application form. You may also apply for several goma rites, or for prayers over a period (six months or a year).
A year of prayer (annual prayer)
We also accept annual prayers, read aloud at the Yakushi Goma on the 8th of each month for a full year. Choose a period of "12" months in the form.
Choose a Goma by your wish
Compare Byodoji's five monthly Goma rites by wish, including prayers for healing, protection from misfortune, work, and memorial services.
Choose from five Goma rites by your wishDetailed guide to Ganfuji prayers for healing from cancerLearn more about the Medicine Buddha
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about applying for the Yakushi Goma.
Can I apply regardless of my school or denomination?
Yes. Anyone may apply, regardless of school or denomination.
Can I apply for a family member's recovery?
Yes. You may also apply for family members or friends. Please write their name and wish.
Are wishes submitted online also prayed for?
Yes. Each name and wish you submit is read aloud and prayed for one by one at Byodoji's goma. The prayer is the same whether or not you visit.
Can I keep applying every month?
Yes. We accept annual prayers read aloud at the goma on the 8th for a full year. Choose the period in the form.
Can I attend the goma by live stream?
Yes. The goma is live-streamed from 8:00 p.m. on the 8th of each month. From home, you can join your palms before the wisdom-fire and attend.
On the 8th, Yakushi's ennichi.
Bhaisajyaguru is the Buddha who vowed to remove illness and bring peace to body and mind. At the goma on the 8th of each month, we kindle the wisdom-fire and look to his power to remove illness and grant ease.
If you are praying for recovery or good health, for yourself or for your family, please join the goma on the 8th of each month. Besides visiting the temple, you can apply online and attend by live stream.