Manjushri - Tibetan Buddhist Deity Upholder of the Double-Edged Sword

Manjushri is the bodhisattva of transcendent wisdom. He carries in his right hand the double-edged sword able to cut through illusion and with his left hand a blooming lotus that supports a book, the Prajnaparamita Sutra. In the Buddhist pantheon he is depicted as a youth of sixteen years in order to convey the Buddhist insight that wisdom is not a matter of mere experience or years., but results from the cultivation of intellectual genius, which can penetrate directly to the bedrock of reality. Wisdom is the most honoured virtue in Buddhism, called the Mother of all Buddhas, since only wisdom makes possible the great bliss of total freedom from all suffering that si the goal of all living beings.

The first day of the year is dedicated to Manjushri. He is looked upon by certain sects as the god of Agriculture, by others as the Celestial Architect, and is believed to have inspired with his divine intelligence those who have been active in the propagation of the Buddhist doctrine. He is the god of science, and swings his sword of wisdom with its flaming point to dissipate the darkness among men, to cleave the clouds of ignorance. The Chinese say that when he preaches the Law every demon is subjugated, and every error that might deceive man is dissipated. He is an extremely popular deity in all the Northern Buddhist countries, and one often sees his image in magic paintings, charms, and mandalas.

This description by Nitin Kumar, Executive Editor, Exotic India.

References:

Beer, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1999.

Chakraverty, Anjan. Sacred Buddhist Painting. New Delhi: Roli Books, 1998

Leidy, Denise Patry, and Thurman, Robert A.F. Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment. London: Thames and Hudson, 1997.

Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Tibet. Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1990.

Rhie, Marylin M. & Thurman, Robert A.F. Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet. London: Thames and Hudson, 1996.

Of Related Interest:

Article: The Buddhist Mandala - Sacred Geometry and Art

Sterling Silver Jewelry: Coral Mandala

Thangka Painting: Kalachakra Mandala

Book: Symbols of Art, Religion and Philosophy

Post a Query

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy