One of Four Sheets of Paper inscribed with Religious Texts, Poems, Charms [mounted on a board]

The Buddhist karmic cycle allows humans to generate merit over the course of their mortal lives, ultimately leading to enlightenment and rebirth in a higher spiritual realm. Written by those involved in the creation of the sculpture, the prayers shown here are devotional vows to observe the Buddhist way. The prayer at top left is signed by a nun named Kenkai. At top right, the three prayers written on a single piece of paper in three different hands are signed by nuns named Shōgan, Shunchi, and Kangyō. The prayers written on the sheet mounted at the bottom are dated to the ninth day of the fifth month of the year 1292. Translation of Kenkai’s prayer (top left): We take refuge in the Honorable Śākyamuni. Our wish for our future lives is that whether reborn in good or evil places, we will never forget our aspiration to achieve Bodhi-wisdom. — Nun Kenkai