Twelve Heavenly Generals
Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (center) accompanied by one of the 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 names of the generals are:[2]
| Sanskrit | kanji | romanized Japanese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumbhīra | 宮毘羅 金毘羅 | Kubira Kompira (Shinto) | Guānpíluò Jīnpeíluò |
| Vajra | 伐折羅 | Basara, Bazara | Fázhéluò |
| Mihira | 迷企羅 | Mekira, Meikira | Míqǐluò |
| Aṇḍīra | 安底羅 | Anchira, Anteira | Āndǐluò |
| Anila | 頞儞羅 | Anira Majira | Ènǐluò |
| Śāṇḍilya | 珊底羅 | Sanchira, Santeira | Shāndìluò |
| Indra | 因達羅 帝釈天 | Indara | Yīndàluò Dìshìtiān |
| Pajra | 波夷羅 | Haira | Bōyìluò |
| Mahoraga | 摩虎羅 摩睺羅伽 | Makora Makura | Mòhǔluò Mòhóuluòjiā |
| Kinnara | 真達羅 | Shintara, Kimnara Shindūra | Zhēndàluò |
| Catura | 招杜羅 | Shōtora Shatora | Zhāodùluò |
| Vikarāla | 毘羯羅 | Bikara Bigyara | Píjiéluò |
The goddess Marici, protector of warriors and protector against fire is sometimes worshipped as one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals.[2]
Popular culture
General Catura at Ngong Ping
- Statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals stand in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong. They are near the Statue of Big Buddha.
- In the anime Digimon Tamers, the twelve devas are named after the Twelve Heavenly Generals and their appearance is based on the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The same is true for the Shikigami in the manga and anime series Ghost Sweeper Mikami.
- In the anime Tokyo Ravens, the Twelve Divine Generals were named after these Twelve Heavenly Generals, referring to people with extraordinary abilities.
- This is the same with the anime Arata Kangatari, referring to the people with the most powerful Hayagamis of Amawakuni.
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.
- 1 2 3 Mark Schumacher. "12 Divine Generals of Yakushi Buddha". A to Z Photo Dictionary: Japanese Buddhist Statuary. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
External links
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