Gemini Thinking
In this square illustration, I have depicted a priest desperately clinging to scrolls, symbolizing the "writings against the teachings of the Buddha" referenced by Nichiren. Although the priest may be praying or studying with conviction, the smoke rising from the incense burner forms dark, chaotic clouds, indicating a lack of true enlightenment.
Behind him, a scene of "deplorable events" unfolds—lightning strikes, storm winds, and a village in disarray. This illustrates the passage from the Kitō-shō, which states that following incorrect teachings will never result in peace and tranquility, despite one's prayers. In the bottom-right corner, you will find the required kanji signature 双子座 alongside a red hanko seal containing the katakana for Gemini (ジェミニ).
If his writings are against the teachings of the Buddha, no matter how hard one might believe them, one will never attain Buddhahood. No matter how much one prays for peace and tranquility for the country, only deplorable events will take place.
Nichiren wrote this passage in his Treatise on Prayers (Kitō-shō), commenting on the writings of a priest who did not hold the Lotus Sutra as the Buddha’s highest teaching. Because the Lotus Sutra assures the enlightenment of all beings who teach and practice the Wonderful Dharma, it is what brings peace and tranquility to the world.
The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com