It is said that the small statues coming out of his mouth represent each character of the sutra “Namu Amida Butsu” (I take refuge in Amida Buddha) transforming into an Amida Buddha.

To do this, things are kept easy: a steadfast recitation of “Namu-Amida-Butsu,” which can be roughly translated as, “I entrust myself to the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life.” Upon ...