Conceptual Summary
This composition illustrates the pivotal moment from Chapter Twenty of the Lotus Sūtra where the formerly arrogant fourfold assembly recognizes the profound spiritual attainment of Never-Despising Bodhisattva (Sadāparibhūta). Standing serenely on the left beneath ancient pines and drifting gold-flecked clouds, the Bodhisattva is depicted with a warm, luminous halo signifying his "great power of good tranquility" and transcendent eloquence. Rather than displaying dominance over those who once mocked and abused him, he remains in a humble posture of reverence (añjali mudrā), embodying his lifelong practice of honoring the innate Buddha-nature within all beings. Facing him on the right, the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen kneel and bow in deep contrition and newfound faith. The visual transition from left to right bridges wisdom and humility, capturing how unwavering respect dissolves arrogance and awakens genuine receptivity to the Dharma.
Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:
Never-Despising Bodhisattva (Sadāparibhūta / Jōfukyō Bosatsu): Depicted on the left as a humble, clean-shaven monastic figure in earth-toned robes with a radiant halo, hands joined in respectful salutation.
The Four Kinds of Devotees (Fourfold Assembly): Gathered on the right in postures of reverence and repentance, comprising bhikṣus (ordained monks), bhikṣuṇīs (ordained nuns in hooded robes), upāsakas (laymen in traditional robes), and upāsikās (laywomen).
Item 2: Text Translations:
双子座 (Kanji signature): Literally translates to the constellation "Gemini" (composed of 双子 meaning "twins" and 座 meaning "constellation/seat").
ジェミニ (Katakana seal): The phonetic Japanese transliteration for "Gemini" (Jemini).
The arrogant bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇis, upāsakas and upāsikās, that is, the four kinds of devotees who had abused him and caused him to be called Never-Despising, saw that he had obtained great supernatural powers, the power of eloquence, and the great power of good tranquility. Having seen all this, and having heard the Dharma from him, they took faith in him, and followed him.
The Buddha tells this story of Never-Despising Bodhisattva in Chapter Twenty of the Lotus Sūtra. Earlier in the sūtra, when the Buddha came out of his meditation to teach the Wonderful Dharma, five thousand of those gathered to hear him stood up and walked away. The Buddha did not stop them, and described them as arrogant: believing they knew something they did not. The arrogance of those who abused Never-Despising Bodhisattva, whose practice was to declare his respect for all beings, was rooted in their not seeing the Buddha’s wisdom in him and believing that they were superior to him. We can only learn from those we respect, and create misery only for ourselves when we despise.
The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com