Commentaries

Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls (7)

The inscription in praise of Prince Shotoku:

The biography states,

Prince Ajwa, son of King Seong Myong of the country of Paikche, bowed and said, "Homage to greatly compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, world savior. For forty-nine years you spread the wondrous teaching to the east in Japan, transmitting the lamp and preaching the dharma."

Further,

Saint Ilra of the country of Silla bowed and said, "Homage to the great Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, world savior, the king of millet-scattered islands who transmits the lamp to the east."

The biography: a biography of Prince Shotoku.

Paikche is the country in which Prince Shotoku was born in his previous life.

King Seong Myong was the king of Paikche when Prince Shotoku dwelled there.

Prince Ajwa bowed and said: Ajwa was King Seong Myong's son. The king, longing to see Prince Shotoku and grieved by his death, had a statue of him cast in gilt bronze. Hearing that Prince Shotoku had been born in Japan and was dwelling here, he sent his son Ajwa as an imperial envoy to bring that golden image of Avalokitesvara, world savior, to this country. At that time Prince Ajwa prostrated himself and said: Homage to greatly compassionate bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, world savior. You spread the wondrous teaching to the east in Japan: Prince Shotoku is transmitting the Buddha's teaching and propagating it in this country of Japan.

For forty-nine years: Ajwa states that Prince Shotoku will reside in Japan for forty-nine years. The golden statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is enshrined in the main hall of Tenno-ji temple.

Transmitting the lamp: The Buddha's teaching is likened to a lamp. Preaching: Ajwa says that Prince Shotoku will preach and spread the Buddha's teaching.

Moreover, a venerable monk named Ilra came to Japan from Silla out of reverence for Prince Shotoku. Bowing to the Prince, he said, "Homage to the great Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, world savior." Thus he paid homage, stating that Prince Shotoku was Avalokitesvara, world savior.

Transmits the lamp to the east: Ilra states that Prince Shotoku is transmitting the lamp of the Buddha's teaching to Japan.

King of millet-scattered islands alludes to the extreme smallness of this country. Ilra states that Prince Shotoku has become ruler of a country so small it is like grains of millet scattered in the sea.