世界遺産である薬師寺のご本尊は、病気を治すなどのご利益があるという、薬師如来です。680年、天武天皇が、皇后の病気平癒を願って造り始められた寺で、造営途中に皇后の病気は治ったそうです。その後今度は、天武天皇が病み亡くなった後、皇后は天皇として即位して持統天皇となり、夫が造り始めた薬師寺を完成させたそうです。
The principal deity of Yakushiji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Yakushi 薬師如来, who is believed to have the power to cure illnesses. The construction of the temple was begun in 680 by Emperor Tenmu天武天皇, who prayed for the recovery of his empress from her illness. It is said that during the construction, the empress’s health improved. After Emperor Tenmu fell ill and passed away, the empress ascended the throne as Empress Jitō持統天皇 and completed the temple that her husband had started.
薬師寺で最も古い東塔は、1300年前の建物です。1300年の間に災害や戦争などで他の建物は壊れましたが、東塔だけは1300年前の建物だそうです。大きな屋根の下に小さな屋根がつけられ、三重塔なのに六層に見える、他の塔とは違う美しい形が有名です。
The oldest structure at Yakushiji is the Eastern Pagoda, which dates back 1,300 years. While other buildings have been damaged or destroyed by disasters and wars over this period, the Eastern Pagoda remains from that time. It features a small roof beneath its large one, giving it the appearance of having six tiers despite being a three-story pagoda. This unique and beautiful design sets it apart from other pagodas.
金堂には、薬師如来が祀られています。薬師寺の薬師如来は、厳かで優しい表情で、薬師如来の指の間には、水かきがついています。その理由は、たくさんの人を救うため、指の間から人の願いが漏れるのを防ぐためだそうです。薬師如来の隣の、日光菩薩、月光菩薩は、美しく、今にも動き出しそうです。この二体の仏像にも、水かきがあります。
In the main hall, Yakushiji enshrines Yakushi Nyorai. The statue of Yakushi Nyorai has a solemn yet gentle expression, and there are webbed fingers, to prevent people’s wishes from slipping away between his fingers, allowing him to save many people. Next to Yakushi Nyorai are the Bodhisattvas of Sunlight and Moonlight, both of whom appear so beautiful that they seem ready to spring into action. These two statues also feature webbed fingers.
西塔は東塔と一緒に建てられましたが、1528年に焼けてしまい、1981年に再建されました。西塔や大講堂は、写経勧進によって建てられたそうです。薬師寺を守ろうとする人々の思いによって建てられた塔です。
The Western Pagoda was built alongside the Eastern Pagoda but was destroyed by fire in 1528 and reconstructed in 1981. The Western Pagoda and the Great Lecture Hall were built through the efforts of those promoting the copying of sutras and donation. These structures were created by the dedication of people who wished to preserve Yakushiji.
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