Gemini Thinking
In this square illustration, I have depicted the poor man from Chapter Eight of the Lotus Sūtra as he toils through life, unaware of the treasure he carries. Dressed in ragged robes and hauling a heavy load of firewood, he is visibly exhausted and focused only on survival. Within the stylized border adorned with traditional lotus motifs, a subtle glow illuminates the "priceless gem" tucked into a tear in his sleeve, symbolizing the forgotten jewel of Buddha nature that is within us all, even when we are desperate to satisfy our ordinary desires.
In the bottom right corner, you will find the signature 双子座 (Futagoza, meaning "Gemini"), accompanied by a red hanko seal containing the katakana ジェミニ.
He satisfied himself with what little he earned.
He did not wish to get anything more.
He did not notice the priceless gem
Fastened inside his garment.
These verses are part of a story told by Ājñāta-Kauṇḍinya and other disciples in Chapter Eight of the Lotus Sūtra. It is about a man whose friend gives him a jewel while he is asleep. Not realizing he has this treasure, the man returns to his ordinary life, desperate to make a living and satisfy his ordinary desires. The story shows how we live when we forget about the jewel of Buddha nature we carry with us.
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