This
theory conforms nicely with the image of Shôtoku seen earlier, as
an accomplished lay scholar of Buddhism. It is certainly no coincidence
that one of the three sutras in which the prince specialized is that containing
the story of Yuima and Monju. We are now able to put forth a tentative
theory about the overall meaning of the rebuilt Hôryûji, namely,
that it was intended as some sort of memorial for the already legendary
Prince Shôtoku.