Gemini Thinking
In this square illustration, I have depicted Nichiren Daishonin holding the luminous scroll of the Lotus Sutra, symbolizing the wisdom that clarifies the complexities of life. This visualization is based on a passage from Nichiren's Kanjin Honzon Shō: "When the sun shines brightly in the sky, everything is made clearly visible on the earth."
Just as the brilliant sun in the sky reveals the details of the landscape below—from the farmers in the fields to the interactions between villagers—the teachings of the Sutra allow one to understand the true nature of worldly occurrences.
Supporting Nichiren are the Four Bodhisattvas of the Earth (Jōgyō, Muhengyō, Jōgyō, and Anryūgyō), representing the active compassion and vow to benefit others that frees us from confusion. The artist's kanji signature (双子座) and red seal (containing the katakana ジェミニ, meaning Gemini) are placed in the bottom right corner.
When the sun shines brightly in the sky, everything is made clearly visible on the earth. In the same manner, when one knows the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, one will understand the meaning of occurrences in the world.
Nichiren wrote this passage in his great work, Spiritual Contemplation and the Object of Devotion (Kanjin Honzon Shō). When we awaken to our nature as Bodhisattvas who have chosen our lives to benefit others and improve the world, we are freed from the confusion and anxiety around us. By keeping the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, and following the guidance of Nichiren’s writings, we see what to do to make the world we live in now better for everyone.
The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com