Conceptual Summary
This 1:1 square illustration visualizes Chapter Twenty of the Lotus Sūtra using classical Japanese Buddhist iconography on a texture suggesting silk. The central focus is the historical Śākyamuni Buddha, identifiable by his bhūmisparśa mudrā and lotus pedestal, emphasizing his ever-present wisdom as described in the source text. To his left sits the mahāsattva Great-Power-Obtainer (Mahāsthāmaprāpta), recognizable by the miniature stupa in his crown and palm-forward varada mudrā, receiving the core teaching. In obedience to the Sūtra’s explicit instruction to "keep, read, recite, expound and copy" the Dharma after the Buddha's extinction, surrounding figures are depicted engaged in these actions: one reads a scroll, another prepares a writing brush and paper, and others listen attentively. This collective activity signifies the transmission of the Wonderful Dharma toward ultimate enlightenment.
Iconography & Character Identification
Item 1: Deities/Figures Featured:
Śākyamuni Buddha (釋迦牟尼佛, Shaka Nyorai): The central seated Buddha, performing the earth-touching mudrā (bhūmisparśa).
Great-Power-Obtainer Bodhisattva (大勢至菩薩, Dai-Seishi Bosatsu): The large seated Bodhisattva to the left of the Buddha, identifying by the vase/stupa in his crown.
Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas and Monastics: Nine attendants and smaller surrounding figures engaged in reading, listening, and copying the sutra.
Item 2: Text Translations:
双子座: (Kanji) Futagoza / Gemini (Signifies the Artist/Direction).
ジェミニ: (Katakana in Red Seal) Jemini / Gemini (The Seal Name).
Great-Power-Obtainer, know this! This Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma benefits Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas, and causes them to attain Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. Therefore, they should keep, read, recite, expound and copy this sūtra after my extinction.
The Buddha gives this explanation to Great-Power-Obtainer Bodhisattva in Chapter Twenty of the Lotus Sūtra. In several places in the sūtra, the Buddha asked who would continue to teach this Wonderful Dharma after his extinction and lead all beings to Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi: perfect unsurpassed enlightenment. When he revealed his Ever-Present Existence in Chapter Sixteen, he assured all those receiving his words that his life is not limited to that of the physical body he inhabited. In truth he is leading all beings throughout all time and space to his wisdom, and this Lotus Sūtra he has given us is the embodiment of that wisdom.
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