The legend holds that the dokku was a drum to which poison was applied, and that when the drum was beaten, all the people hearing the sound would die; in the same way, the teachings of Buddha are to eliminate the three poisons of avarice, anger and ignorance among people.
毒鼓とは、毒薬を塗った太鼓で、それを打ち鳴らすと聞いた人はみんな死んでしまうという伝説であり、それと同じように仏の教えは衆生の貪・瞋・癡の三毒を滅すことができるということを表している。