Hall of Lotus Sutra

The Hall of Lotus Sutra carries a designer chic aesthetic that won’t look out of place in the lobby of a luxury hotel, but imbues it with the sublime iconography of Chinese art. The result is a modern yet respectful abode for the departed.

Inspired by the Lotus Sutra - widely regarded as the most important and influential Buddhist scripture - the design of the memorial hall is anchored by a feature ceiling comprising three geometric pendant lamps and a gilded roof rippling with flowing cutouts. The elaborate composition evokes the teachings of the scripture.

In the Lotus Sutra, it’s foretold that every soul has the potential to attain enlightenment. The core tenet is that the Buddha will adapt his teachings to each soul’s aptitude for understanding and capacity for receiving, sowing the idea that there are multiple paths to enlightenment.

The design of each niche traces a soul’s journey towards enlightenment. Its facade and interior brim with accents of gold and bouquets of peonies in full bloom. Peonies, which are also known as the ‘King of Flowers’ in Chinese culture, are symbolic of the fulfilled lives of the departed.

Magpies appear alongside them, signifying a soul’s liberation from his or her body and the start of his or her journey to Sukhavati (the Western Pure Land). They are pointed in the direction of Amitābha Buddha, who presides over Sukhavati and is responsible for guiding each soul towards enlightenment.

His miniature monument is rendered with his 佛光 or Buddha Light, a flame-like mandala that nearly envelops him. A glow diffuses through it, seemingly stoking it to remind each soul that the path to enlightenment is not static but ever unfolding.