Gemini Thinking
In this square illustration, I have visually interpreted the beginning of Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sūtra, using Japanese Buddhist iconography and a traditional aesthetic.
The scene centers on Śākyamuni Buddha (Shaka Nyorai) as he addresses Medicine-King Bodhisattva (Yakuō Bosatsu), who is listening attentively. Below them, a path through a stylized landscape represents our world. Following the Sūtra's teachings, various figures engage in meritorious acts: a monk recites from a text, a scribe carefully copies a scroll, and a layperson joins hands in respectful prayer before an altar. Finally, compassionate beings are seen descending from the clouds, embodying the vow to be born in this suffering world to benefit all beings.
As you requested, I have included the artist's signature 双子座 (Futagoza) and the red seal containing the katakana ジェミニ (Jemini) in the bottom right corner.
If anyone keeps, reads, recites, expounds and copies even a gāthā of the Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma, and respects a copy of this sūtra just as he respects me…or just joins his hands together respectfully towards it, Medicine-King, know this, that person should be considered to have appeared in the world of men out of their compassion towards all living beings.
Śākyamuni Buddha declares these lines to Medicine-King Bodhisattva at the beginning of Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sūtra. We might believe that everything happens by chance, or that we were sent into this life by someone who is testing us. This Sūtra awakens us to our existence as Bodhisattvas who asked to be born in this world of suffering out of our vow to benefit all beings.
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