Manjusri
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Bodhisattva Manjusri (Wenshu Pusa) as depicted in Tibetan Buddhism. |
Mañjuśrī (
Ch: 文殊
Wenshu or 文殊師利
Wenshushili;
Jp:
Monju;
Tib:
Jampelyang), also written
Manjushri, is the
bodhisattva of keen awareness in Buddhism. A disciple of the historical Buddha
Shakyamuni, he represents wisdom, intelligence and realisation, and is one of the most popular Bodhisattvas following
Avalokitesvara (
Ch:
Guan Yin).
Together with Shakyamuni and fellow disciple
Samantabhadra he forms the Shakyamuni
trinity (
Jp:
Sanzon Shaka). Manjusri is one of the
Eight Wisdom Bodhisattvas and one of the Japanese
Thirteen Buddhas. In Tibetan Buddhism he sometimes is depicted in a trinity with
Avalokiteshvara and
Vajrapani.
Manjusri is mentioned in many
Mahayana sutras, particularly the
Prajnaparamita Sutras. The
Lotus Sutra assigns him a
paradise called Vimala, which according to the
Avatamsaka Sutra is located in the east. His consort in some traditions is
Saraswati. He is also sometimes called
Manjughosha.
Within
Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri is a tantric meditational deity or
Yidam, and considered a fully enlightened
Buddha.
Chanting the Manjusri Mantra
"Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih" is believed to enhance wisdom and improve one's skills in debating, memory, writing, explaining etc.
"Dhih" is the seed syllable of the mantra and is chanted with greater emphasis.
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Statue of Manjusri (Monju) at Senkoji in Onomichi, Japan |
A male
Bodhisattva he is depicted wielding a flaming sword in his right hand representing his realisation of wisdom which cuts through ignorance and wrong views. The scripture supported by the flower held in his left hand is the
Prajnaparamita, representing his attainment of ultimate realisation and Enlightenment. Variations upon his traditional form as Manjusri include Guhya-Manjusri, Guhya-Manjuvajra, and Manjuswari, most of which are Tantric forms associated with Tibetan Buddhism. The two former appearances are generally accompanied by a
shakti deity embracing the main figure, symbolising union of from and spirit, matter and energy, and so forth.
According to legend
Nurhaci, a military leader of the
Jurchen tribes and founder of what became the Chinese imperial
Qing Dynasty, believed himself to be a reincarnation of Manjusri. He therefore is said to have renamed his tribe the
Manchu.
See also
YamantakaKathmandu valley was once a pond. It is believed that Manjushree cut off a gorge at a place called Chovar and drained away the pond to establish an inhabitable land. Newars of Kathmandu valley adhere to both Buddhism and Hinduism. The Buddhists of the valley revere him as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The Hindu system has a similar deity called Saraswati. Hence, in valley both are revered in the same manner.
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The Bodhisattva Ideal - Buddhism and the Aesthetics of Selflessness
