The origin of the conceptual art piece "Gold Mountain Has a Mine"
Located in Silicon Valley, a hub of high-tech industries, the San Francisco Dojo is steeped in a unique culture of innovation, diversity, change, and a pursuit of equality. Therefore, a more abstract and egalitarian approach was adopted in the design of “Gold Mountain Has Mines.”
The design concept uses the pronunciation of Chinese characters—first tone, second tone, third tone, and fourth tone—to represent Chinese characters.
The first tone is 1, the second tone is 2, and so on.
Therefore, “Gold Mountain Has Mines” uses this abstract and creative code “1-1-3-4” to represent the meaning of these four characters. The preserved “bricks” are then used in a modern art style to present a fresh and imaginative design.
Three-column fountain
This represents diligently cultivating the three trainings of morality, concentration, and wisdom, and eliminating the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance.
The three low fountains emerging from the cracks in the rocks at the bottom of the pool are like our greed, anger, and ignorance, constantly surfacing from the depths of our hearts.
These three low fountains, gently controlled to flow back into the pool, symbolize how we, through diligently cultivating the three trainings of morality, concentration, and wisdom, dissolve the three afflictions of greed, anger, and ignorance, thus putting into practice the concept of “improving one’s character.”
Three stone pillars with flowing water
The three Dharma Seals—”Impermanence,” “Non-self,” and “Nirvana”—represent the three marks of existence in Buddhism.
When we look out from the indoor passageway to the courtyard, the three central stone pillars with flowing water stand steadily before us, like the three Dharma Seals, constantly reminding us of the true meaning of Buddhism.
The carvings on the left and right pillars symbolize our reverence for the three Dharma Seals, while the water flowing gently down the irregular surface of the pillars creates a sense of impermanence and gradual dissolution of the self.
The central pillar is uncarved, and the water flows calmly and steadily, allowing us to gradually experience the true meaning of Buddhism and strive diligently towards the path of Buddhahood.
A large tree and two stone chairs
This represents the compassion and wisdom inherent in Zen practice.
Master Sheng Yen’s teachings:
“Zen practice is Buddhism, and the content of Buddhism is compassion and wisdom. Pure and true compassion and wisdom must be cultivated through proper practice and complete enlightenment.”
On either side of the only maple tree in the courtyard are two stone benches, one for compassion and the other for wisdom, providing a good place for quiet meditation. The vibrant life force of the maple tree is like the lively spirit embodied in Zen. If one can truly experience pure compassion and wisdom through Zen practice, that is the essence of “building a Pure Land on Earth.”
