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Paper short abstract

This paper examines prayer texts in medieval Japanese repentance rituals, focusing on Tōdaiji shunie. It analyses how these liturgical texts reveal ritual development and function as both individual and collective voices, demonstrating their crucial role in ritual efficacy.

Paper long abstract

"Repentance" is one of the central concepts in Buddhism and has been articulated through diverse forms of practice. In the Mahayana context, particularly in China and Japan, ritualised repentance underwent significant transformations, shifting from practices focused on individual transgressions to collective rituals aimed at generating worldly benefits. This paper examines prayer texts within repentance rituals in medieval Japan, investigating how these texts illuminate ritual transformation and development over time. Although repentance rituals are among the oldest Buddhist practices in Japan and are recorded from an early stage of the introduction of Buddhism, additional prayer elements appear in these rituals during the early medieval period.

Unlike sutras or other Buddhist scriptures, these texts, which appear in prayer sections and reflect the intentions and involvement of sponsors and participants, acquire their full ritual efficacy only when enacted, in most cases, through recitation during liturgical performances. Focusing on the Tōdaiji annual repentance ritual known as shunie 修二会 (“liturgical assemblies of the second month”), this paper examines various types of prayer texts to consider their role in the transfer of merit and in shaping ritual practice. Shunie is characterised by a range of performances related to repentance and merit-making, including the recitation of multiple prayers and exorcistic rites. Together, these features suggest that repentance rituals function as fluid practices, reflecting both the changing needs of the community and the intentions of participants.

Through an analysis of different prayer texts and recitations, this paper contributes to the panel by examining the ritualisation of repentance, with particular attention to the relationship between ritual efficacy, liturgical texts, and performance. Despite receiving limited attention in existing scholarship compared to doctrinal texts, these liturgical documents are significant to understanding ritual practice. The making of vows and the vocalisation of prayer are intrinsically intertwined with ritual efficacy. These performances ensure the ritual’s success, convey the sponsors’ intentions to the dedicated deity, and communicate the ritual’s purpose to all participants, functioning as the voice of both individuals and the collective.