. central divinities 93
Baisajyaguru: Essentially an exoteric divinity, this buddha was incor-̣
porated into the Esoteric Buddhist pantheon during the early Tang.
However, the primary sūtras associated with his cult are not Esoteric
Buddhist scriptures. Baisajyaguru is the primary healer in Mahāyāna ̣
Buddhism, and a number of ritual texts evolved around his cult dur-
ing the mid-Tang with the rise of Zhenyan Buddhism.^6 His entourage
of Twelve Yaksa Generals, who control the Zodiac, adds an Esoteric ̣
Buddhist dimension as well as placing him in an astrological context.
(^6) Cf. T. 922; 926.
Figure 2. Dharmadhātu Mandala central assembly with group of Five Dhyāni
Buddhas. Illustration from traditional iconographical manual. Based on a
Japanese line-drawing of the Heian period.