Bob Schwartz

Refining Gold

Gold refining is one of the most common metaphors in Buddhist teaching.

The Upakkilesa Sutta (Defilements, Corruptions, Impurities) names five metals that contaminate gold: iron, copper, tin, lead, and silver. Contaminated gold is brittle and dull. These are matched to the five hindrances: sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and doubt. Once they are removed, the mind becomes pliant and radiant.

Some might say that Trump appears to have an unhealthy obsession with gold.

Maybe it is not unhealthy. Maybe it is not what it appears to be. Maybe Trump is aware, maybe unconsciously, of his impurities and corruption. Maybe, as Buddhism teaches, he is looking for a way to remove those impurities. Maybe the gold is a constant reminder to him of his need for refining so that his mind will become pliant, radiant and compassionate.