Shin-Yakushi-ji

Shin-Yakushi-ji 新薬師寺
The Hon-dō at Shin-Yakushi-ji
Basic information
Location	1352 Takabatake-chō, Nara-shi, Nara-ken 630-8301
Affiliation	Kegon sect
Deity	Yakushi Nyorai
Country	Japan
Website	http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~shinyaku/
Architectural description
Founder	Empress Kōmyō
Completed	747

Shin-Yakushi-ji (新薬師寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Kegon sect in Nara, Japan. It was founded in 747 by Empress Kōmyō. Initially a large complete Shichidō garan temple, it suffered from fire damage and deteriorated during the Heian period. The temple was revived during the Kamakura period. Only one building, the present main hall or Hon-dō (本堂), has survived from the 8th century. All other structures date to the Kamakura period.

Shin-Yakushi-ji owns several cultural assets. The Hon-dō, the principal image of Yakushi Nyorai and eleven statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals have been designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the government of Japan as National Treasures.

The shin, atarashi (新) in the name is usually translated as new. In the case of Shin-Yakushi-ji however it is said to have the meaning of miraculous (霊験, arataka na). Yakushi refers to the principal image of the healing Buddha Yakushi Nyorai. Besides the veneration of Yakushi Nyorai, there is no connection to the famous Yakushi-ji which is also located in Nara.

According to records at Tōdai-ji, Shin-Yakushi-ji was founded in March 747 as Kōyaku-ji (香薬寺) by Empress Kōmyō wishing for the recovery of her husband, Emperor Shōmu, who suffered from an eye ailment. She had a large nine bay temple hall (Kon-dō) built and statues of the Seven Buddhas of Healing (七仏薬師, shichibutsu yakushi) enshrined in it. Such statues were thought to be efficacious against the evil spirits of dead political figures.