A long time ago there lived a famous holy man called Saint Gyoki (668-749）.
Saint Gyoki was known for his great mercy and was deeply loved by the people.
One day he was on his way to Arima, and he came across a sick person that
had collapsed on the road. "What's wrong?" he asked the sick
man.
"I want to enter the Arima bath to heal myself, but I don't have money
for food. On top of that I can only eat new fish," the sick man replied.
Understanding the man's great troubles, Saint Gyoki went to Nagasu (south
of JR Amagasaski Station) and brought back lots of new fish for the sick
person to eat.
After heartily eating the fish, the sick man said this time, "My skin
hurts so bad, I can't stand it. Please kindly lick my skin with your mercy."
Saint Gyoki without hesitation did as he was told and licked the sick man's
skin.
When this happened, light came out of the sick person's body and Yakushi
Nyorai (a Healing Buddha Master) appeared, "I am the Healing Master
at Onsen Mountain. Your compassionate heart deeply moved me. Go to Arima
from now and help the sick. I will assist you in your work." Having
said that, the Healing Buddha Master disappeared, After Saint Gyoki arrived
at Arima, he built an Onsenji Temple to celebrate Yakushi Nyorai, the Healing
Buddha Master, and he spent his life consoling and encouraging the sick.
Even now the statues of Yakushi Nyorai and Saint Gyoki are enshrined at
the Onsenji Temple. |
