Yasha - Yasha

Yaksha is a transliteration of Sanskrit yaka and Pali yakkha, a half-god, half-demon known since ancient India. Originally it meant one who is as fast as light and one who is worshipped, and it seems that they were seen as sacred supernatural beings. They are often identified with evil demons. Later in Buddhism, they were placed as one of the eight guardians of Buddhism, as attendants of the god Kubera (Bishamonten). Because of their combined character of generosity in bestowing blessings on people and ferocity in killing, their faith is often accompanied by strong prayers and rituals of appeasement. Yaksha women (yakshini yakii) are also said to be kind as earth mother goddesses, but also cruel.

[Katama Kazuyoshi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

サンスクリット語のヤクシャyaka、パーリ語のヤッカyakkhaの音写で、インド古代から知られる半神半鬼。もとは光のように速い者、祀(まつ)られる者を意味し、神聖な超自然的存在とみられたらしい。しばしば悪鬼羅刹(らせつ)とも同一視される。のちに仏教では、クベーラ神(毘沙門天(びしゃもんてん))の従者として、仏法を守護する八部衆(はちぶしゅう)の一つに位置づけられた。人に恩恵を与える寛大さと殺害する凶暴さとをあわせもつ性格から、その信仰には強い祈願と慰撫(いぶ)の儀礼を伴う場合が多い。なお夜叉女(やしゃにょ)(ヤクシニーyakiī)も地母(じぼ)神としての優しさと同時に残忍さをもつといわれている。

［片山一良］

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