From
each side of the pagoda, worshipers are able to view the grotto, which
offers four different scenes drawing on Buddhist legends. The scenes appear
to progress counterclockwise from the east. First is shown a tale of a
well-educated layman, Yuima, who was able to discuss complex theology with
an enlightened Boddhisattva, Monju. To the north is the death of the historical
Buddha and his attainment of nirvana, the peaceful state beyond
all change and suffering. To the west is the division of the relics of
the Buddha, and finally to the south the paradise of the future Buddha,
Miroku. The question which now arises is this: why did they chose this
particular combination of scenes, which is unique to Hôryûji?