Hall of Bhaisajyaguru
| Hall of Bhaisajyaguru | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 藥師殿 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 药师殿 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Hall of Bhaisajyaguru | ||||||
| |||||||
The Hall of Bhaisajyaguru is the hall to enshrine Bhaisajyaguru, who is also named "Yaoshifo" (药师佛; 藥師佛) for short in Chinese Buddhism.[1][2][3]
He is said to be the hierarch of the Eastern vaiḍūryanirbhāsā.[3] Sitting in the center of the lotus pedestal, the statue of Bhaisajyaguru are usually with kind and solemn deportment, blue body and dark hair.[3] With big ears to his shoulders, he wears the clothes of the Buddha and exposes breast and right arm.[3] On the left of Bhaisajyaguru is Suryaprabha with a sun wheel in his hand, representing light; on the right is Candraprabha, with a moon wheel in his hand, representing coolness.[4] They are called "Bhaisajyaguru Three Honored Gods" (药师三尊; 藥師三尊) or "Eastern Three Saints" (东方三圣; 東方三聖).[4] Many Chinese people believe that enshrining Bhaisajyaguru can cure all diseases, relieve a variety of illness and pain, ward off unluckiness and extend longevity, so since ancient times, people from all walks life worship the Bhaisajyaguru.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Wei Ran (2012-06-01). Buddhist Buildings. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. ISBN 9787112142880.
- ^ Han Xin (2006-04-01). Well-Known Temples of China. Shanghai: The Eastern Publishing Co. Ltd. ISBN 7506024772.
- ^ a b c d Zi Yan 2012, p. 43.
- ^ a b c Zi Yan 2012, p. 44.
Bibliography
[edit]- Zi Yan (2012). "Xiantong Temple in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province". Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
Further reading
[edit]- Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 9787302427056.
- Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 [Illustration of Chinese Buddhist Architecture and Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 9787515401188.