Gemini Thinking
This illustration depicts Śākyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) as he expounds the Dharma on Vulture Peak, surrounded by his close disciples. The swirling emanations from his heart symbolize the "inconceivable supernatural powers" described in the Lotus Sūtra—a visual metaphor for the profound, transformative wisdom that can appear miraculous to those still struggling to understand the nature of reality. The specific artist signature/stamp 双子座 (Futagoza, "Gemini") and the hanko with the katakana ジェミニ (Jemini) can be found in the lower right corner.
The supernatural powers
Employed by that Buddha
For the expounding of the Dharma
Will be inconceivable.
Śākyamuni Buddha sings this verse in Chapter Six of the Lotus Sūtra after predicting the future Buddhahood of his disciple Subhūti. Anything we do not understand can seem supernatural. Things we find common in our modern world would seem magical to those who lived in the Buddha’s time. It is only through our greater understanding that we can create our modern wonders. It should not then surprise us that with the Buddha’s mind, which he reminds us that we too can reach, the things we can accomplish will seem magical to those mired in delusion.
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