Research on Shintō shows that the ideals of ōharae (大祓) meaning “great purification” and hojō (放生) meaning “release of wildlife” were influence by the Yakushi Sūtra. However, the original text of the Yakushi Sūtra was included in the Kanchō Sūtra, which mentions the method of preventing national disasters. It also explains the benefits of gonju (禁呪) being the treatment though magic. It is relevant that Yakushi beliefs were accepted in ancient Japan to further Shintō ideologies.
First, there is a record of jugonshi (呪禁師) who came to Japan from Paekche (百済) in 577. Jugonshi were holy men who cured sickness through incantation of the Kanchō Sūtra’s Mantra and Mudrā. Second, there is a record of the priest Toyokuni being invited to aid the Emperor on his sickbed. Buddhism and magic prospered in the ancient Toyokuni region. The Daitōrikuten (大唐六典) names these Buddhist magicians jugonshi.
From this, it can be concluded that Yakushi beliefs were introduced into Japan by the jugonshi from Paekche.
