Kamakura period
鎌倉時代(1220年）
Zenzai Douji (Sudhana in Sanskrit) went on a pilgrimage, met 53 advisers in search of the truth of Buddhism and eventually became enlightened. The 53 advisers included Bodhisattvas (those who take up a course in their life to move in the direction of Buddha) and great monks, as well as ordinary boys and girls, a waterman, and even a prostitute. Zenzai Douji had a pure heart and regarded them as his advisers and learned important things from each of them. It is said that the ideal spirit of Buddhism was reflected in his attitude.
The image of Zenzai Douji, looking backwards, shows a youngster guiding a party of Bodhisattvas led by Monju Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Wisdom), which connotes that the pure heart of the youngster exorcises evil spirits, devils, and impurities.
善財童子為了尋求佛教真理足足拜訪了53位大師，也最終打開了頓悟之門。53位大師中有菩薩以及大僧，也有普通的少男少女、 船伕、藝妓。善財童子用一顆無比純粹的心向各位大師學到了最為重要的東西。這種態度被認為是在追求佛教真理中最應該有的姿態。
雖然轉身迴顧後方是在給文殊菩薩等大師們做向導的姿勢，但是這也有擁有一顆童真般清�鄂寛聴包椹鏡ご崕衢�汚穢的意思。
