Twelve Heavenly Generals
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In some Buddhist denominations, the Twelve Heavenly Generals or Twelve Divine Generals are the protective deities, or yaksha, of Bhaisajyaguru, the buddha of healing. They are introduced in the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja Sūtra.[1] They are collectively named as follows:
- simplified Chinese: 十二神将; traditional Chinese: 十二神將; pinyin: shí èr shén jiāng
- Japanese: Jūni Shinshō (十二神将) or Jūni Shinnō (十二神王) or Jūni Yakusha Taishō (十二薬叉大将)[2]
Contents |
[edit] Names of Generals
The names of the generals are:[2]
| Sanskrit | Japanese (kanji) |
Japanese (romanized) |
Chinese (Pinyin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumbhīra | 宮毘羅 金毘羅 |
Kubira Konpira (Shinto deity) |
Guan1pi2luo4, Jin1pei2luo4 |
| Vajra | 伐折羅 | Basara, Bazara | Fa2zhe2luo4 |
| Mihira | 迷企羅 | Mekira, Meikira | Mi2qi3luo4 |
| Aṇḍīra | 安底羅 | Anteira Anchira |
An1di4luo4 |
| Anila | 頞儞羅 | Anira | E4ni2luo4 |
| Śāṇḍilya | 珊底羅 | Santeira, Sanchira | Shan1di4luo4 |
| Indra | 因達羅 帝釈天 |
Indara, Indatsura | Yin1da4luo4, Di4shi4tian1 |
| Pajra | 波夷羅 | Haira | Bo1yi4luo4 |
| Mahoraga | 摩虎羅 摩睺羅伽 |
Makora, Makura | Mo4hu3luo4, Mo4hou2luo2jia1 |
| Kinnara | 真達羅 | Shintara, Kimnara | Zhen1da4luo4 |
| Catura | 招杜羅 | Shōtora Shatora |
Zhao1du4luo4 |
| Vikarāla | 毘羯羅 | Bikara Bigyara |
Pi2jie2luo4 |
The goddess Marichi, protector of warriors and protector against fire is sometimes worshipped as one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals.[2]
[edit] In popular culture
Statues of 12 Heavenly Generals are put up at Ngong Ping, Hong Kong. It is near the Status of Big Buddha.
[edit] See also
- The Glossary of Japanese Buddhism for an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture.
- View Album of 12 Heavenly Generals at Ngong Ping
[edit] References
- ^ Mary Neighbour Parent (2001). "JAANUS - Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System". Japanese Architectural and Art Historical Terminology (online ed.). http://www.aisf.or.jp/%7Ejaanus/. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ a b c Mark Schumacher. "12 Divine Generals of Yakushi Buddha". A to Z Photo Dictionary: Japanese Buddhist Statuary. http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-generals.shtml. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
