A list that was inserted at the end of a sutra or
on a piece of paper placed inside a statue, or sometimes written on the body of
the statue itself, to show who had taken part in its composition or constitution.
Kechien 結縁 refers to participation in Buddhist practices such as copying
sutras, attending services for the dead, receiving classes in Buddhist teachings,
and most frequently, contributing money towards the making of a temple, Buddhist
statue, painting, or artifact. A person joining in such activities is known as
a kechiensha 結縁者. From the Kamakura period onwards it was believed that
there was virtue in even the smallest contribution, and often a group of kechiensha
would combine their contributions to make a small Buddhist statue. Koumyou
交名 is the term used for the list of participant's names, or for adding one's name
to a list kechiensha. |