Bhaiṣajyaguru

Bhaiṣajyaguru is is the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahāyāna Buddhism, and as such he is one of the foremost Mahāyāna Buddhas. In China, he is often referred to as the master therapist, or as the physician Buddha.

Bhaiṣajyaguru possesses a paradise called Śudarṣana 東方淨瑠璃世界, located in the eastern part of the universe, in which he welcomes anyone to be cured of any malady. Bhaiṣajyaguru's veneration is very popular in China. His statue can often be seen in a trinity of Buddhas, the other two being the founder Śākyamuni and Amitābha. Bhaiṣajyaguru's worship was started by the Tiāntái 天臺 school of Buddhism (see p38 and p92 of the rule book). From China, Bhaiṣajyaguru's worship was brought to Korea and ultimately to Japan. In this latter country, Bhaiṣajyaguru has become extremely popular as the god of healers.

When not in a trinity with Śākyamuni and Amitabha, Bhaiṣajyaguru may be depicted at the centre of his own trinity, flanked by his two serving bodhisattvas, Candraprabha 月光菩薩 to his left, and Sūryaprabha 日光菩薩 to his right. This trinity may itself be accompanied by the Twelve Heavenly Generals 十二神將, who are twelve protective yaksha who have vowed to protect the faithful from illnesses.

Chinese name: 藥師如來 (Yàoshī rúlái)— or more rarely a Sinicised version of the Sanskrit name: 偝殺爾耶虞嚕 (Bèishā’ěryéyúlū)