Zen Stone No.9

31*40cm

Mixmedia Print

Zen Stone - Unveiling the One Vehicle: A Lotus Sutra Reflection

This entire artwork, through its minimalist abstract language, transcends the confines of figuration to directly touch the deepest part of the viewer's heart, guiding us to realize the truth revealed in the Lotus Sutra: that Buddha-nature is equal for all, all sentient beings can attain Buddhahood, and ultimately return to the pure and complete One Vehicle of Buddhahood.

Within the painting, four abstract forms, either stacked or connected, are like the skillful means (upaya) expounded by the Buddha for sentient beings of different capacities, all ultimately leading to the One Vehicle.

The olive green background symbolizes the vast and boundless land of Buddha-nature, embracing all phenomena, akin to the Buddha's great compassion that offers all beings the possibility of attaining Buddhahood. The black oval at the top of the canvas, with its mottled and layered black and white textures, is like the saha world (realm of endurance) teeming with sentient beings' vexations, full of attachments and ignorance. Yet, within it, a bright, pure white circular light appears, like the manifestation of Buddha's wisdom, illuminating the darkness even amidst vexations, guiding sentient beings towards light.

The two smooth white and beige ovals below, pure and unblemished, can be seen as the skillful means declared by the Buddha for the three vehicles of Śrāvakās (Hearers), Pratyekabuddhas (Solitary Buddhas), and Bodhisattvas. White symbolizes the purity and liberation of the Śrāvaka vehicle, while beige represents the solitary awakening and wisdom of the Pratyekabuddha vehicle. Though distinct, they all point towards the same ultimate goal—ultimate Buddhahood. This is the visual metaphor of the Lotus Sutra's "uniting the three and returning to the One," where all Hinayana practices ultimately converge into the great path of the One Buddha Vehicle.

The abstract form at the very bottom, resembling an archway, contains a deep black space within, filled with white textures similar to plant roots or living cells, growing upwards. This symbolizes that all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature, like a treasure buried deep underground, waiting to be unearthed. The archway itself is like the gate leading to ultimate Nirvana. The vibrant life within the gate hints at the boundless Dharma joy and wisdom that emerge after enlightenment, echoing the Buddha's grand vision in the Lotus Sutra that "all sentient beings shall attain Buddhahood," where everyone can emerge from delusion and ultimately achieve Buddhahood.