Hall of Treasure

The Hall of Treasure is designed in the image of a prayer wheel. A popular sight across Tibet, China, prayer wheels are prized by Buddhist devotees for the mantras (sacred texts) they contain. Each turn of a prayer wheel is akin to the recital of the mantras a hundred times over.

By committing to extensive recitals, they are able to more quickly purify negative karma and accumulate merit with the Buddha, clearing their path to enlightenment. This makes the prayer wheels an integral part of their lives.

It’s why the facade of each niche is dedicated to a prayer wheel. Recreated with transparent glass, each fully rotatable prayer wheel reveals a kaleidoscope of mantras that help each soul more swiftly reach the crescendo in his or her pursuit of enlightenment.

More prayer wheels abound on the central tower. Crowned by four identical monuments of Amitābha Buddha, who is the very representation of enlightenment, it serves as an invitation for the souls to recite their mantras.

Overhead, a ceiling feature mimics the cause and effect of a prayer wheel being turned. A series of arced light strips emanates from the centre like ripples spreading across a pond, carrying mantras into the rest of the memorial hall.

The journey of each soul culminates with a treasure trove, which dominates the scenery inside each niche. Piled high with gold ingots, it’s not a mere expression of wealth, but a sacred symbol of the spiritual abundance a soul achieves from the recital of mantras.