Day 25 covers all of Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, and opens Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas.
Bodhisattva Never-Despising’s practice has always intrigued me. I could imagine myself in another life being this guy:
There lived arrogant bhiksus in the age of the counterfeit of the right teachings of the first Powerful-Voice-King Tathagata, that is, after the end of the age of his right teachings which had come immediately after his extinction. [Those arrogant bhiksus] were powerful. At that time there lived a Bodhisattva called NeverDespising.’ He took the form of a bhiksus.
Great-Power-Obtainer! Why was this bhiksu called NeverDespising? It was because, every time he saw bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas or upasikas, he bowed to them and praised them, saying, ‘I respect you deeply. I do not despise you. Why is that? It is because you will be able to practice the Way of Bodhisattvas and become Buddhas.’
He did not read or recite sutras. He only bowed to the four kinds of devotees. When he saw them in the distance, he went to them on purpose, bowed to them, and praised them, saying, ‘I do not despise you because you can become Buddhas.’
And it is that universal quality of Bodhisattva Never-Despising’s practice that the Missionary Department of Nichiren Shu is tapping into as it seeks ways to honor the upcoming 800th anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s birth in 2021. Here’s the text of an article that appeared in the Aug. 1, 2016, issue of Nichiren Shu News:
The idea for the campaign started from the “Gassho X 800” poster that was created for the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s Birth. The poster was distributed tlo Nichiren Shu temples in Japan in 2014. Members in Japan found the “800” mosaic design striking. and thought it made a great poster for Nichiren Shu, but the design did not work as well outside Japan. Japanese people know who Nichiren Shonin was and understand the history of the era he lived in. Outside Japan, however, few people have that background. Nichiren Shu campaigns in the past have often faced similar problems, as the Buddhist themes and Nichiren Shu content become lost in translation.
The challenge was clear: to create a campaign to convey the spirit of Tangyo Raihai and Nichiren Shonin’s 800th anniversary and capture the interest of people around the world, even if they had never heard of Nichiren Shonin or knew little about Buddhism. The end result is what you see here: a floating seated image of Shakyamuni Buddha created from a mosaic of Nichiren Shu followers from Japan and around the world. The message is simple. Anyone anywhere in the world can relate to it. You and everyone around you are joined together in the spirit of Tangyo Raihai to create the Buddha, here and now. You’re a Buddha.
Rev. Daiei Matsui, Director of the Missionary Department said, ” ‘You’re a Buddha, Bowing to the Buddha in You’ is the basis for a universal concept of values in human relations in all cultures. By spreading this concept, we can overcome religious hostility between cultures and work together for world peace.”
Rev. Kobun Sasaki, Manager of the International Section, said, “We want to promote the logan ‘You’re a Buddha, Bowing to the Buddha in You’ in many ways internationally, including international exchange visits, collaboration and religious dialog. By spreading “You’re a Buddha” through action, we will establish the teachings of Nichiren Shu all over the world.”
A record-setting 19 million overseas visitors came to Japan in 2015, and more are expected each year leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Then, in 2021, we will have the 800th Anniversary celebration. Nichiren Shu temples in Japan have a unique opportunity to reach out to visitors and expose them to Buddhism and Nichiren Shu. “You’re a Buddha” posters and English pamphlets will be distributed widely to temples in Japan. The International Section will also assist major temples with their own English-language guide literature to make sure no opportunity is missed.
“You’re a Buddha” can also work with events anywhere in the world. The artwork is freely available to all Nichiren Shu temples. The International Section will help create special versions of the poster or t-shirt artwork for special events or temple anniversaries. We sincerely hope you can use the materials the Missionary Department has created and welcome your requests.
As my contribution, I took artwork on the Nichiren Shu website in Japan and created this animation: