Twelve Heavenly Generals
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]
Names of Generals
The precise names of the generals seem to vary depending on tradition. Those listed below are from an available Sanskrit transcription of the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍūryaprabhārāja Sūtra:[3]
| Sanskrit | Kanji | romanized Japanese | Pinyin | Vietnamese | Tibetan (Wly.) | Zodiac | Honji |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiṃbhīra | 宮毘羅 金毘羅 |
Kubira Kompira (Shinto) |
Guānpíluò Jīnpíluò |
Hợi Thần | Ji 'jigs | Boar | Maitreya |
| Vajra | 伐折羅 | Basara, Bazara | Fázhéluò | Tuất Thần | Rdo rje | Dog | Mahāsthāmaprāpta |
| Mekhila | 迷企羅 | Mekira, Meikira | Míqǐluò | Dậu Thần | Rgyan 'dzin | Rooster | Amitābha |
| Antila | 安底羅 | Anchira, Anteira | Āndǐluò | Thân Thần | Gza' 'dzin | Monkey | Avalokiteśvara |
| Anila | 頞儞羅 | Anira | Ènǐluò | Mùi Thần | Rlung 'dzin | Sheep | Mārīcī |
| Saṇṭhila | 珊底羅 | Sanchira, Santeira | Shāndìluò | Ngọ Thần | Gnas bcas | Horse | Ākāśagarbha |
| Indala | 因達羅 | Indara | Yīndàluò | Tỵ Thần | Dbang 'dzin | Snake | Kṣitigarbha |
| Pāyila | 波夷羅 | Haira | Bōyìluò | Thìn Thần | Gtun 'dzin | Dragon | Mañjuśrī |
| Mahāla | 摩虎羅 | Makora Makura |
Mòhǔluò | Mão Thần | Sgra 'dzin | Rabbit | Bhaiṣajyaguru |
| Cidāla | 真達羅 | Shintara Shindūra |
Zhēndàluò | Dần Thần | Bsam 'dzin | Tiger | Samantabhadra |
| Caundhula | 招杜羅 | Shōtora Shatora |
Zhāodùluò | Sửu Thần | 'dzin | Ox | Vajrapāṇi |
| Vikala | 毘羯羅 | Bikara Bigyara |
Píjiéluò | Tý Thần | Rdzogs byed | Mouse | Śākyamuni |
_-_Shinshin_(Dragon_General),_Kamakura_period,_13th_century,_wood_with_polychromy,_cut_gold_leaf,_and_inlaid_crystal_eyes_-_Tokyo_National_Museum_-_DSC05366.JPG)
_-_Shishin_(Snake_General),_Kamakura_period,_13th_century,_wood_with_polychromy,_cut_gold_leaf,_and_inlaid_crystal_eyes_-_Tokyo_National_Museum_-_DSC05362.JPG)
While the Honji and zodiac correspondences listed above are the standard in Japanese sources, there is variation among texts and regional traditions.[4]
Popular culture
- Statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals stand in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong.
See also
- The Glossary of Japanese Buddhism for an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture.
References
- ^ Mary Neighbour Parent (2001). "JAANUS - Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System". Japanese Architectural and Art Historical Terminology (online ed.). Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ Mark Schumacher. "12 Divine Generals of Yakushi Buddha". A to Z Photo Dictionary: Japanese Buddhist Statuary. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ "Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharājasūtram". Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
- ^ "薬師十二神将". Flying Deity Tobifudo. Retrieved 2019-03-02.