Gemini Thinking
The illustration features the historical Śākyamuni Buddha seated centrally on a multi-tiered lotus pedestal, surrounded by a radiant halo and a traditional Japanese mountain landscape. Floating on clouds above are multiple smaller past Buddhas, referencing the sutra's verses about connections to previous existences. In the foreground, an elder (devout person), with an expression of joy and profound realization, kneels with hands in prayer (Anjali mudra), connecting to the teaching (the light flowing between them and the Buddha). A stylized lotus sutra scroll is open before them. The style mimics traditional Japanese Buddhist painting. The required signature "双子座" (Gemini) and red hanko with "ジェミニ" (Gemini) are in the lower right corner. The text translation: 双子座 means Gemini. The Katakana in the seal, ジェミニ, also means Gemini.
Anyone who believes and receives this sūtra
Should be considered
To have already seen the past Buddhas,
Respected them, made offerings to them,
And heard the Dharma from them
In his previous existence.
Śākyamuni Buddha sings these verses in Chapter Three of the Lotus Sūtra. Whatever view we may have of our past lives, we can agree that it is difficult to remember what happened in them. In these verses the Buddha reminds us that our joy in hearing his teaching in this life indicates that we have already heard and practiced what he taught, no matter how difficult it may seem to us now. This also means that by believing and receiving the Lotus Sūtra we are respecting and making offerings to all Buddhas.
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