Japanese inscription in medieval India
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Japanese Inscription, Kanheri Caves, Cave no. 90, Maharashtra, Late 13th century CE or later
Inscription records a devotional chant honoring the Lotus Sūtra and Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher born in 1222 CE.
It was likely inscribed by a Japanese pilgrim,… pic.twitter.com/Ww2BUEl4W0
— Satavahana (@SatavahanasIN) February 8, 2026
The Lotus Sutra, on which Nichiren Buddhism is based, was composed in written form in an India language between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD. It was translated into Chinese by Dharmarakṣa's team already in 286 AD and reached Japan by the 6th century (traditionally 538 CE) from Korea.
Selected readings
- "Ace love" (4/4/24) — see the next-to-last comment
- "The Development of Soka Gakkai in India"
- "Nichiren (1222–1282)"
[Thanks to Geoff Wade]
anon said,
February 9, 2026 @ 10:29 am
Where's the source for this information? Need someone to verify. If the inscription was written in classical Chinese, then it could be a Daxia (Tangut), Da Jin (Jin dynasty), Song dynasty from China, Korean from Koryo, Dali from Yunnan, Viet from Ly dynasty. Notice most of these states had strong Buddhist belief, used Chinese characters as medium of writing and closer proximity to India than Japan.
Taegyung said,
February 9, 2026 @ 2:12 pm
As far as I know, "日蓮大菩薩" was venerated exclusively in Japan.
Lucas Christopoulos said,
February 9, 2026 @ 5:11 pm
That calligraphy was supposedly made by Nichiren himself and was (is) kept exclusively among the followers of his sect. They repeat it many times during prayer and ceremonial practices.
jhh said,
February 9, 2026 @ 5:21 pm
How was that calligraphy copied/inscribed? Copying a good copy of that very recognizable calligraphy isn't just the graffiti of a tourist! It looks like a carefully executed bit of craftsmanship.