In East Asian Buddhism, 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:
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]
The Twelve Heavenly Generals statues in the above image were made in Japan during the Kamakura period in the 13 century and were enshrined in Joruri-ji Temple in Kyoto. Currently, five statues have been deposited in Tokyo National Museum.
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]
While the Honji and zodiac correspondences listed above are the standard in Japanese sources, there is variation among texts and regional traditions.[5]
Popular culture
Statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals stand in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong.
The Heavenly Generals and their names were used as character material for the powerful digital monster characters who serve the "Four Holy Beasts" (Digimon Sovereigns in the English Dub) in the Digital World, from the 2001 series Digimon Tamers, albeit with the names mismatched, due to being based on the Japanese zodiac classification.
Granblue Fantasy started to release series of playable units in 2015 which called 'The 12 Divine Generals'. Each of these units are named after the corresponding zodiac they represent. The Japanese Version use adapted Hepburn Romanization, while the English Version adapted from Sanskrit
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.
^"Twelve Heavenly Generals of Yakushi Buddha (source: Ancient Buddhism in Japan, Vol. II (Leiden: 1935, pp. 551-553))". BUDDHISM & SHINTŌ IN JAPAN. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
twelve, heavenly, generals, east, asian, buddhism, twelve, divine, generals, protective, deities, yaksha, bhaisajyaguru, buddha, healing, they, introduced, bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja, sūtra, they, collectively, named, follows, simplified, chinese, 十二神将, t. In East Asian Buddhism 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 Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiduryaprabharaja Sutra 1 They are collectively named as follows simplified Chinese 十二神将 traditional Chinese 十二神將 pinyin Shi er Shen Jiang Japanese Juni Shinshō 十二神将 or Juni Shinnō 十二神王 or Juni Yakusha Taishō 十二薬叉大将 2 The Twelve Heavenly Generals statues in the above image were made in Japan during the Kamakura period in the 13 century and were enshrined in Joruri ji Temple in Kyoto Currently five statues have been deposited in Tokyo National Museum Contents 1 Names of generals 2 Popular culture 3 References 4 External linksNames of generals EditThe precise names of the generals seem to vary depending on tradition Those listed below are from an available Sanskrit transcription of the Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍuryaprabharaja Sutra 3 Sanskrit Hanzi Pinyin Rōmaji Vietnamese Tibetan Wly Zodiac Zodiac Japan 4 HonjiKiṃbhira 宮毘羅 GuanpiluoJinpiluo KubiraKompira Shinto Cung Tỳ La Ji jigs Boar Boar MaitreyaVajra 伐折羅 Fazheluo Basara Bazara Phạt Chiết La Rdo rje Dog Dog MahasthamapraptaMekhila 迷企羅 Miqǐluo Mekira Me Suy La Rgyan dzin Rooster Rooster AmitabhaAntila 安底羅 Andǐluo Anchira Anteira An Để La Gza dzin Monkey Monkey AvalokitesvaraAnila 頞儞羅 Enǐluo Anira At Nể La Rlung dzin Sheep Sheep MariciSaṇṭhila 珊底羅 Shandiluo Sanchira Santeira San Để La Gnas bcas Horse Horse AkasagarbhaIndala 因達羅 Yindaluo Indara Nhan Đạt La Dbang dzin Snake Snake KṣitigarbhaPayila 波夷羅 Bōyiluo Haira Ba Di La Gtun dzin Dragon Dragon ManjusriMahala 摩虎羅 Mohǔluo Makora Ma Hổ La Sgra dzin Rabbit Rabbit BhaiṣajyaguruCidala 真達羅 Zhendaluo Shindara Chan Đạt La Bsam dzin Tiger Tiger SamantabhadraCaundhula 招杜羅 Zhaoduluo Shōtora Chieu Đổ La dzin Ox Ox VajrapaṇiVikala 毘羯羅 Pijieluo BikaraBigyara Tỳ Yết La Rdzogs byed Mouse Mouse Sakyamuni One of the Twelve Heavenly Generals at the Tokyo National Museum Another one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals While the Honji and zodiac correspondences listed above are the standard in Japanese sources there is variation among texts and regional traditions 5 Popular culture EditStatues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals stand in Ngong Ping Hong Kong The Heavenly Generals and their names were used as character material for the powerful digital monster characters who serve the Four Holy Beasts Digimon Sovereigns in the English Dub in the Digital World from the 2001 series Digimon Tamers albeit with the names mismatched due to being based on the Japanese zodiac classification Granblue Fantasy started to release series of playable units in 2015 which called The 12 Divine Generals Each of these units are named after the corresponding zodiac they represent The Japanese Version use adapted Hepburn Romanization while the English Version adapted from SanskritReferences Edit 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 Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiduryaprabharajasutram Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon Retrieved 2019 03 02 Twelve Heavenly Generals of Yakushi Buddha source Ancient Buddhism in Japan Vol II Leiden 1935 pp 551 553 BUDDHISM amp SHINTŌ IN JAPAN Retrieved 2022 09 16 薬師十二神将 Flying Deity Tobifudo Retrieved 2019 03 02 External links EditAlbum of 12 Heavenly Generals at Ngong Ping Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Twelve Heavenly Generals amp oldid 1129347320, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
