Water Carrier
Water Carrier; 流水; (Skt Jalavahana; Jpn Rusui); A physician described in the Golden Light Sutra as being a previous incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha. According to that sutra, Water Carrier lived countless kalpas ago in the Middle Day of the Law of a Buddha called Treasure Excellence. Water Carrier's handsome and dignified appearance distinguished him, and he possessed wisdom and expertise in a number of areas and skills, including his knowledge of Buddhist teachings, writing, and mathematics. According to the sutra, an epidemic broke out and spread throughout his country. To save the people, he asked his father, Water Holder, also a skilled physician but too old to provide treatment, to teach him his secret medical practices. After receiving instruction from his father, Water Carrier visited the towns and villages, saving all the people from the ravages of the epidemic.
See also Water Holder.
