Manjushri

Description

Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom. His name is a compound of the Sanskrit words Manju meaning charming, beautiful, pleasing and Shri or Sri, meaning glory, brilliance. The combination of both these words conveys the kind of intelligence and wisdom Manjushri represents.Manjushree youthful depicts youthful Bodhisattwa of Transcendent Wisdom.

Manjusri in Sanskrit means “He Who Is Noble and Gentle. Wisdom makes possible for the freedom of all suffering and hence consider the most honored virtue in Buddhism.

Etymology

Manjusri first appears in Buddhist literature in Mahayana sutras, in particular, the Lotus Sutra, the Flower Ornament Sutra, and the Vimalakirti Sutra as well as the Prajna Paramita Sutra. Manjusri’s likeness is often found in Zen meditation halls, and he is an important deity in Tibetan Tantra. Along with wisdom, Manjusri is associated with poetry, oratory, and writing. He is said to have an especially melodious voice.

He is often depicted as a beautiful youth, seated cross-legged on a lotus-flower throne, attired in princely silks and ornaments. In his right hand, raised above his head, he wields the symbol most distinctively his, a flaming sword of wisdom that cuts through the ignorance which binds sentient beings to a cycle of suffering and unhappiness. In his left hand, at his heart, he holds a book, a volume of the Perfection of Wisdom, representing both the source and embodiment of his awakened understanding.