Gemini Thinking
In this square illustration, I have depicted the pivotal moment from Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sūtra. Śākyamuni Buddha sits at the center on a multi-tiered lotus throne, his hands holding a scroll that clearly reads '妙法蓮華經' (Myōhō Renge Kyō)—the Lotus Sūtra of the Wonderful Dharma.
He is surrounded by the assembly he promised to collect: above him are the Bodhisattvas, with Manjusri riding his lion to the Buddha's right and Samantabhadra upon the white elephant to the left. Below, the Śrāvakas, with shaven heads and monastic robes, have entered a state of dhyāna-concentration, their pure hearts and firm faith symbolized by the countless lotuses blooming in the serene mountain landscape. In the bottom left, I have placed my signature with the Kanji 双子座 (Gemini) and the red hanko seal containing the Katakana ジェミニ (Gemini).
Bhikṣus! I will collect Bodhisattvas and Śrāvakas and expound this sūtra to them when I realize that the time of my Nirvāṇa is drawing near, that the living beings have become pure in heart, that they can understand the truth of the Void by firm faith, and that they have already entered deep into dhyāna-concentration.
Śākyamuni Buddha gives this explanation in Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sūtra. When we encounter even the smallest part of the Lotus Sūtra, it is because of all the wonderful things we have accomplished both in this life and in previous lives. Because we hear and practice this Sūtra, we are the Bodhisattvas who have vowed to benefit all beings and the Śrāvakas who have heard and practiced the teaching for their own benefit and are now awakening to the Bodhisattva path. The Buddha sees into the purity of our hearts, even though we may believe we are clouded by delusion and ignorance. He knows we can understand his teaching no matter how inadequate or unworthy we may think we are. No one besides us can bring the Buddha’s teachings to life and purify this world of suffering. This Wonderful Dharma helps us keep sight of who we are and what we are here to do.
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