Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Basara Taishō
伐折羅大将
A general listed as one of the Twelve Divine Generals of Yakushi. The Twelve Divine Generals are twelve generals who protect Yakushi Nyorai and the people who believe in its teachings.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Basara Taishō
A general listed as one of the Twelve Divine Generals of Yakushi. Its alternative name is recorded as 和耆羅, its assigned zodiac sign as the Dog, and its honjibutsu as Seishi Bosatsu. It is said to be also read Bazara.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing its form and traditions
Its attribute is said to be a treasure sword and its body color white. There are several spellings, such as 跋折羅, and it is explained that because its wrathful expression is extremely striking, the word is also used to mean an outstandingly strange appearance.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Protecting Yakushi Nyorai and those who believe in its teachings
The Twelve Divine Generals are twelve generals who protect the world of Yakushi Nyorai and its believers. Shin-Yakushi-ji explains that each of them leads seven thousand followers. Their fearsome faces and weapons are handed down not as a way to frighten people but as forms showing the strong work of protecting the Buddha's teaching.
Source: 新薬師寺
Peace sought within Yakushi faith
In Yakushi faith, in which people pray for salvation from illness and disaster, the Twelve Divine Generals carry out its protection. There is also faith that links them with the twelve zodiac signs, but the deity names and zodiac assignments differ by source and temple. The individual assignments and attributes on this page are one example from the Butsuzō Zui lineage introduced by Shōhōin, not a correspondence table common to all temples.
Source: 新薬師寺・飛不動尊 正宝院・奈良薬師寺
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん ばさら そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：伐折羅大将」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：薬師十二神将」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 新薬師寺「十二神将」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 奈良薬師寺「金堂」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 国立台湾大学図書館／CBETA「薬師琉璃光如来本願功徳経（玄奘訳・大正蔵 T0450）」（2026-10-16 確認）