The nine figures of Nyorai were enshrined based on the belief of 'kuhon ojo;' nine levels of birth, from gebon gesho (lower grade: lower birth), gebon chusho (lower grade: middle birth), gebon josho (lower grade: upper birth), to jobon josho (upper grade: upper birth) were in the Pure Land.
下品下生、下品中生、下品上生から上品上生に至るまで九つの往生の段階があるという「九品往生」の考えから、九体の如来をまつった。