- 著者
-
小林 信彦
Nobuhiko Kobayashi
桃山学院大学文学部(元)
- 雑誌
- 桃山学院大学人間科学 = HUMAN SCIENCES REVIEW, St. Andrew's University (ISSN:09170227)
- 巻号頁・発行日
- no.33, pp.1-47, 2007-06-08
According to the Buddhist tradition, a buddha called Bhaisajyaguru has resolved that he would make everyone a buddha. But the world where people live is full of obstacles to their progress toward buddhahood. He devotes himself to remove such obstacles as sicknesses, famines, disasters, wars, and wicked governments. Thus he works hard to help people prepare for the ultimate goal. Among the manifold activities of Bhaisajyaguru, the Chinese are interested only in medicine. Called Yaoshi (藥師) in Chinese, this fo (佛) is worshipped as the almighty physician in China. Unlike Bhaisajyaguru, Yaoshi is capable of preventing the sick from dying and he is even able to revive the dead. It is just like the Chinese, who yearn for eternal life, to expect him to carry out the function of resuscitation. It is most characteristic of the Japanese Yakusi (藥師) to hold a medicine pot in the palm of his left hand. As the most reliable physician, he shares a basic function with his Chinese counterpart. Making a sharp contrast with Yaoshi, however, Yakusi does not demand repentance. The Japanese implore him for relief without repenting, and their wishes are granted at once. Since the mythological age, the Japanese have worshipped Ohonamuti (大己貴) and Sukunahikona (少彦名) , who are kami (神) competent in medicine. Like other kami, they do not care whether their devotees feel repentant, and they grant wishes if only implored. Naturalized in Japan, Yakusi is identified with them. Fostered in Japanese culture, he is a Japanese object of worship, quite independent of Yaoshi.