As mentioned above, he is perceived as the guardian deity of Gion-shoja but he also is perceived as the suijaku (trace manifestation) of Yakushi-nyorai of Joruri-sekai (the realm known as Joruri or Pure Lapis Lazuli in the eastern quarter, Sk: Vaiduryanirbhasa).
前出の通り、祇園精舎の守護神であるとされるが、東方・浄瑠璃世界の薬師如来の垂迹ともされる。