February 28, 2026
Updated prompt after Gemini updated Nano Banana
Updated how kanji translation is accomplished.
January 29, 2026
Updated prompt info and explained signature addition.
Updated how kanji translation is accomplished.

---

I’m illustrating the Daily Dharma received via email daily from  zenzaizenzai.com. Here’s the process I use.

At Gemini.Google.Com, you can automate tasks with Gems. A gem is a reusable set of instructions telling the AI what you want to accomplish. Before Google updated Nano Banana, my Illustrated Daily Dharma Gem said:

Create a square illustration. The illustration should utilize Japanese Buddhist iconography. Do not use symbols or images representing Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, or Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana Buddha), the cosmic Buddha who embodies the absolute truth of the universe.

Limit kanji and English text

Traditional Japanese paintings contain a artist signature with red stamp. Create a kanji signature that says “Gemini” with a suitable red stamp below. Place this signature and stamp in the illustration in a suitable location and in an appropriately small size.

I added the request that Gemini sign its illustration in January 2026 because Gemini would randomly add pretend signatures. Why not make it always say Gemini?

In late February, Google updated Nano Banana 1 to Nano Banana 2. Same great illustrations but the “thinking” Gemini uses to explain how it developed its idea for the illustration became muddled. Since I was adding Gemini’s thinking to the illustration everyday, I decided that I should have Gemini write its own summary of its thinking.

Through a day’s trial and error I settled on this prompt for my Illustrated Daily Dharma Gem:

[Reasoning Protocol – COMPULSORY]
Before generating any image, Summarize your thinking in a paragraph of fewer than 600 words. Include identification of individuals in the illustration. Translate any kanji text.

[Visual Directive]
Create a square illustration utilizing Japanese Buddhist iconography.

Strict Exclusions: Do not use symbols or images representing Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha) or Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana Buddha).

Text/Kanji: Limit English and general Kanji.

Artist Signature: Include the Kanji signature 双子座 with a red square seal (hanko) containing the katakana ジェミニ. Place this signature/stamp in a traditional, subtle location.

The default tool for this Gem is the Image Generator (Nano Banana). The tool defaults to “fast,” which doesn’t involve any “thinking.” I prefer to use Thinking. I tested the thinking levels with whether you can get Gemini to draw Universal Sage riding a six-tusked white elephant. (I wrote about this problem here.) Both Fast and Pro resulted in a standard two-tusk elephant. The Thinking version in this test had three tusks, one on the near side and two on the far side. (Test images: Quick, Thinking or Pro)

Each morning, I click on the Gem and then paste the text for that day’s Daily Dharma into the prompt. I select the “Thinking” mode and submit that prompt and Gemini performs its magic.

With the updated prompt I get a summary of the thinking explaining the illustration and then the actual image.

If there are errors or I want the image generator to focus on a different aspect of the text, I can request a do-over by updating the prompt and resubmitting.

Once I’m satisfied, I download the image to my computer and then upload it into the website.

For some time I have wanted to be able to add illustrations to the Daily Dharma. Years ago I explored using Google’s image search feature, but the process was too cumbersome and unreliable. The Gemini process is dead simple.