Manjushree
Newari Paubha Painting
Handmade natural mineral pigments on canvas
Artist: Sudharshan Suwal
Manjushri is an important deity in Mahayana Buddhism and is known as the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom. The Sanskrit name of Manjushri is "Prajna," which means wisdom and insight, penetrating into all things- fundamental emptiness, universal sameness, seeing into the essence of each phenomenal event, and true nature. Buddhist monasteries' meditation halls, libraries, and study rooms often contain images of Manjushri.
Manjushri is represented as a male Bodhisattva with their right hand wielding a flaming sword, "Vajra Sword of Discriminating Light," that represents the sharpness of Prajna, and his left hand wielding a beautiful blue lotus flower in full bloom. The Vajra Sword of Discriminating Light or Wisdom is believed to cut through ignorance and entanglements of conceptual views. This sword also represents the light of transformation when the sword is in flames. The magnificent Lotus flower is believed to hold the Prajnaparamita Sutra (Great Wisdom Sutra ) and contains the essence of the great Wisdom of the Buddha.
Manjushri is identified as the oldest and most significant Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism literature. In Chinese Buddhism, Manjushri is respected as one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas and is paired with Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. The other three Great Bodhisattvas are Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. In Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri is part of the great trinity Bodhisattva with Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani. Manjushri is believed to manifest many different tantric forms. One manifested form of Manjushri is Yamantaka, who is considered to be the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri.
Manjushri holds a magnificent tale in Nepal. Kathmandu Valley was believed to be a lake and held a beautiful lotus flower in the middle of the lake, according to Swayambhu Purana. It is said that Manjushri cut the gorge at Chobar and allowed the lake to drain. The lotus flower was believed to reside on the top of a mountain, and the mountain became Swayambhunath Stupa, and the valley became habitable.
Manjushri mantra in Sanskrit:
Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi Dhi