Bodhi Stump

I designed and built this small stool as a meditation on Buddhist numerology. The stool has three legs, referencing the Three Treasures of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—the historical figure, his teachings, and the community that follows them. Detailed wooden supports join the three legs, repeating this triangular relationship with three thin wooden struts. Around the edge of the seat, I hand-carved 108 circles. This number carries several meanings: it is a three-digit number, a multiple of three, and the sum of its digits equals nine (3 × 3). Buddhist prayer beads also commonly contain 108 beads. The cushion resting on the seat is made from recycled cotton and dyed with turmeric, in reference to monk’s robes.

2010

Oakland, California USA