After lady Murasaki has fallen seriously ill in the chapter of Wakana, she often asks Genji to let her become a priestess, but he won't approve it, so all she can do is to pray for her happiness in the next world by performing a Buddhist service.
「若菜」の大病ののち紫の上の健康は優れず、たびたび出家を願うが、光源氏はこれを許さず、紫の上はせめて仏事によって後世を願う。