Gemini Thinking
This conceptual illustration, rendered in the classical Japanese Buddhist style of ink and mineral pigments on silk, visualizes Nichiren's teaching on the relationship between mind (spiritual) and voice (physical) in finding the Buddha's wisdom. It features a single, contemplative figure – a practitioner, perhaps resembling Nichiren himself or a representative monk – seated in deep meditation amidst a tranquil yet slightly rugged natural setting. The image avoids depicting other individuals or specific deities like Amida or Dainichi, focusing entirely on the internal process: the figure is not speaking, but is in a state of profound listening, subtly interacting with the environment as a representation of perceiving the 'difficult voices' and finding the Buddha's intention within them. The only Kanji text included, as mandated, is the signature and seal, which translate as follows: '双子座' (Futagoza) translates to 'Gemini', and the red seal 'ジェミニ' (Jemini) also translates to 'Gemini'.
I have visualized Nichiren’s teaching on the relationship between mind and voice, portraying how spiritual intention can manifest as physical expression and vice versa.
Regarding the signature and seal in the bottom-right:
The vertical Kanji text ‘双子座’ reads Futagoza (Gemini).
The Katakana text within the red seal ‘ジェミニ’ reads Jemini (Gemini).
Mind is called the spiritual aspect while voice is the physical aspect. Therefore the spiritual aspect reveals the physical aspect. But it is also possible to perceive the mind by listening to the voice. In this case, the physical aspect (voice) reveals the spiritual aspect (mind)
Nichiren wrote this passage in his Treatise on Opening the Eyes of Buddhist Images, Wooden Statues or Portraits (Mokue Nizō Kaigen no Koto). This is one of the many instructions Nichiren gives us for how to read the Lotus Sūtra and find the wisdom of the Buddha within it. It is easy to understand how the intentions we have in our minds guide our words and actions. By cultivating the intention to benefit all beings, rather than just focusing on making ourselves happy, we mold our speech and actions to accord with that intention. Finding the mind behind the voice is more difficult. When we look for the Buddha speaking to us in all situations, especially those which are demanding, we bring ourselves closer to the Buddha’s own mind. We bring our speech and actions into harmony with the world as it is.
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