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.
• The Juni Shinsho are a group of warriors that protect Nobunaga Oda in the anime and manga Samurai Deeper Kyo.

See also

• The Glossary of Japanese Buddhism for an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture.

References

1. Mary Neighbour Parent (2001). "JAANUS - Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System". Japanese Architectural and Art Historical Terminology (online ed.). Retrieved 2009-04-20.
2. Mark Schumacher. "12 Divine Generals of Yakushi Buddha". A to Z Photo Dictionary: Japanese Buddhist Statuary. Retrieved 2009-06-24.

External links

• Album of 12Heavenly Generals at Ngong Ping