Bodhisattva (bosatsu)
Nikkō Bosatsu
日光菩薩
Nikkō Bosatsu is a bodhisattva who, together with Yakushi Nyorai and Gakkō Bosatsu, makes up the Yakushi Triad. Its work is associated with the light of the sun, and it is depicted as a deity who helps Yakushi's teaching and salvation. In the Golden Hall of Yakushi-ji, too, a Yakushi Triad with Nikkō and Gakkō is enshrined.
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
Nikkō Bosatsu, attending Yakushi Nyorai
Nikkō Bosatsu is a bodhisattva who, together with Yakushi Nyorai and Gakkō Bosatsu, makes up the Yakushi Triad. Its work is associated with the light of the sun, and it is depicted as a deity who helps Yakushi's teaching and salvation. In the Golden Hall of Yakushi-ji, too, a Yakushi Triad with Nikkō and Gakkō is enshrined.
Source: 奈良薬師寺・飛不動尊 正宝院
Faith in the triad that saves from illness and the hardships of life
The vows of Yakushi Nyorai are directed not only at illness but also at poverty and at lacking food and clothing. Nikkō and Gakkō, as its attendants, stand in a position to support Yakushi's salvation. Looking at the connections within the triad also shows the role of the bodhisattvas named after light.
Source: 新薬師寺・奈良薬師寺
The light of the sun and a link to the 19th day
Shōhōin explains the work of Nikkō Bosatsu as illuminating worldly passions with the light of the sun and leading people to the wisdom of the Buddha, and lists it as the buddha of the 19th day among the Thirty-Day Hidden Buddhas. This is an assignment that Shōhōin introduces, and it does not indicate a festival day common to all temples.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん ろぼじゅた 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：日光菩薩」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 奈良薬師寺「金堂」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 新薬師寺「十二の願い」（2026-10-15 確認）