Founder or eminent monk
Genjō Sanzō
玄奘三蔵
Genjō Sanzō (602–664) was a monk of Tang-dynasty China. He traveled to India in search of the original Buddhist texts, and after returning he translated many sutras and treatises. Yakushi-ji passes on his legacy as the founder of the Hossō school, which conveyed the teaching of Yuishiki.
This page introduces Genjō's journey and his work translating sutras. He is known as the model for Sanzō Hōshi in Journey to the West, but the events of the novel are kept distinct from his actual life.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
A long journey in search of the teaching
According to Yakushi-ji's introduction, Genjō traveled to India over 17 years, studied Buddhism, and brought back many sutras. After returning he worked on translating sutras and had a great influence on Buddhism in East Asia.
Source: 法相宗大本山 薬師寺
Conveying the teaching of Yuishiki
“Yuishiki” is a Buddhist teaching that reflects deeply on how we perceive the world and on the workings of the mind. Genjō's learning was handed down to his disciples and became the foundation of the Hossō school.
Source: 法相宗大本山 薬師寺
A brush and a leaf sutra
The statue of Genjō introduced by Yakushi-ji holds a brush in its right hand and a baiyōkyō in its left. A baiyōkyō is a sutra written on the leaves of a plant. On this site, drawing on these objects he holds, he is depicted as one who reads, interprets, and passes on the teaching.
Source: 法相宗大本山 薬師寺
Remembering Genjō on the 5th of each month
Yakushi-ji announces an ennichi service at the Genjō Sanzō-in on the 5th of each month. We introduce it as an occasion to turn one's thoughts to his path of continuing to learn and passing the teaching on to others.
Source: 薬師寺・法相宗大本山 薬師寺