Yakuo-ji (Minami, Tokushima)

Yakuo-ji or Yakuō-ji (Yakuo Temple) (Japanese: 薬王寺) is a Koyasan Shingon temple in Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Temple # 23 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. The main image is of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaiṣajyaguru: "King of Medicine Master and Lapis Lazuli Light").

History

• The temple was constructed during Emperor Shōmu's reign.
• In the Bunji (文治) era, the temple was destroyed by fire.
• Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇) (1288 – 1339) ordered the temple to be rebuilt.
• The main hall was rebuilt in 1908.^[1][2]

Cultural properties

The sculpture of Kōbō-Daishi and the Star Mandala (Navagraha) in the temple were designated tangible cultural property of Minami by the Minami Board of Education on November 27, 2015.^[3]

References

1. Miyata, Taisen (2006). The 88 Temples of Shikoku Island, Japan. Koyasan Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles.
2. Miyazaki, Tateki (2004). Shikoku henro hitori aruki dōgyō-ninin. Matsuyama.
3. "薬王寺の宝物を町文化財に 美波町教委、合併後初の指定【徳島ニュース】- 徳島新聞社".

Sources

• 四国八十八箇所霊場会編 『先達教典』 2006年

External links

• 薬王寺
• 第23番札所 医王山 無量寿院 薬王寺（四国八十八ヶ所霊場会公式）