The Radiance of Saha: The Zen Legacy Embodied in a Sculptural Artifact

The term "Saha" is derived from the Buddhist concept of the "Saha World," signifying "endurance." Chen Guangzu aims to convey to every individual grappling with life's challenges that suffering is an inherent aspect of human existence, yet there is always a ray of light capable of illuminating the heart.

The design of the "Lotus Light Zen Essence" ornament was inspired by a serendipitous encounter during a rainstorm. While seeking shelter, Chen Guangzu observed monks at Linggu Temple collecting rainwater in celadon dishes, the water's edge shimmering with an amber hue under candlelight. This moment of epiphany led him to ponder, "How wondrous it would be to have sacred texts flowing within light and Buddha statues meditating amidst incense mist?"

1. Buddha Statues: The Persistence from 3D Printing to Traditional Clay Sculpture

The initial phase of the design process focused on the Buddha statue. While the team sought to enhance efficiency through 3D printing, Chen Guangzu embarked on a journey to Suzhou with his belongings. In a village by Lake Tai, he encountered Master Zhou, a custodian of the intangible cultural heritage who steadfastly adhered to the "Seven Techniques of Clay Sculpting." The elderly master imparted the principles of "first, the countenance; second, the posture; and third, the drapery": the right hand of the Buddha must form the Bhumisparsha Mudra, with the angle of the fingertips precisely calibrated to three degrees to manifest the power of "subduing Mara"; the curvature of the left hand in the Dhyana Mudra must conform to ergonomic principles, evoking a sense of tranquility in the observer.

Over the course of three months, Chen Guangzu's fingertips developed calluses. He revised the compassionate expression of the Buddha's face seventeen times, ultimately sculpting a seated Buddha in the posture of "eyes observing the nose, nose observing the heart." The gentle radiance between the eyebrows gradually merged with the works of his grandfather from his childhood memories.

2. Lamp Tray: The Divine Radiance Forged in a 1300°C Kiln

The design of the backlit panel is more intricate. Chen Guangzu sought not a glaring light, but the texture reminiscent of "Buddha's halo." He experimented with glass and acrylic, until he found an elderly artisan in Yixing skilled in creating gradient glazes.

The craftsman layered red and gold glazes onto the porcelain base, which was then fired at 1300°C. The Chinese character for "Buddha" and lotus motifs at the center of the porcelain plate emerged in cinnabar red, gradually diffusing outward into warm gold, with the outermost edge in moonlit white. When electrified, the light spreads from the center outward, akin to the Buddha's radiance emanating from the depths of a temple during the tolling of morning and evening bells.

3. Incense Holder: A Zen-inspired Kinetic Art of Observing Smoke and Cultivating Mindfulness

The placement of the incense holder sparked the most intense debate. While the young designer advocated for a central position directly above, Chen Guangzu insisted on the upper left corner: "Observe the incense burners in Buddhist temples—they are invariably positioned to the left of the Buddha. When the incense smoke rises, it should first guide the worshipper's gaze to the Buddha, then to the smoke, and ultimately to their own heart."

He conducted experiments with reverse-flow incense, observing the white smoke descending from the incense cone, gracefully skimming past the character for "Buddha" and the lotus motif, coalescing into a cascading waterfall within the warm glow of the lamp—this was his envisioned "contemplation of smoke leading to self-realization."

4. Lighting: 2700K Sunrise Temperature

During the color temperature calibration process, the team engaged in heated debates. Some argued for the sophistication of cool white light, while Chen Guangzu, armed with samples, retreated to an inn near Qixia Temple. At four in the morning, he stationed himself outside the temple gate, observing the first rays of dawn gently caressing the prayer flags, their warmth reminiscent of the compassionate gaze of the Bodhisattva.

"2700K, this is the temperature," he declared, pointing to the spectrometer's reading. "This is the light of sunrise illuminating the sacred texts, capable of warming the very soul."

In the autumn of 2020, "Lotus Light and Zen Essence" was officially launched. Its height of 33cm symbolizes the "Thirty-Three Heavens," representing the path of spiritual cultivation; the 30cm length embodies the concept of "completeness"; while the 12cm width subtly corresponds to the "Twelve Nidanas." While some regard it as a decorative piece, Chen Guangzu perceives it as a "digital age meditation chamber" for modern individuals. Overtime office workers, upon illuminating it and observing the smoke gently descending beside the "Buddha" character, may suddenly recall the serene moments of their grandmother chanting Buddhist scriptures during their childhood. Students preparing for exams, by tracing the folds of the Buddha's robe, can hear their own heartbeats gradually stabilize.

This "Lotus Light and Zen Essence," carrying both heritage and innovation, has become a sanctuary of tranquility on countless desks. In an era overwhelmed by the deluge of information, Chen Guangzu and his Suopo Culture have demonstrated through this luminous artifact that the wisdom of millennia-old Buddhism can still illuminate every heart yearning for peace in modern life.