Manjushri with Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka

Description

Manjushri with Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka is handpainted on cotton canvas by a Thangka artist from Nepal. The size of this thangka is 75 x 54cm and its weight is 0.1kg. Manjushree is embodied as enlightened wisdom.

Manjushri is depicted in the center of the thangka. Chenrezig and Vajrapani are presented at the bottom left and bottom right corner of the thangka. Vajrasattva is presented at the top of the Manjushri in the thangka. Shakyamuni Buddha and Medicine Buddha are presented at the top right and top left corner of the Manjushri in the thangka.

Iconography of Manjushri

Manjushri is depicted in the center of the thangka. Manjushree is the Bodhisattva who holds the flaming sword of enlightenment, in his left hand in a warning hand gesture in the left hand representing his realization of wisdom to cut through ignorance & wrong view. His right hand depicted in teaching holds the stem of a Blue Lotus flower upon which rests the Book (Pustaka) of Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom.

Manjushri Mantra

The Manjushri mantra is Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih.

Iconography of Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva is presented at the top of the Manjushri in the thangka. Vajrasattva is pure white in color and is sometimes known as the Prince of Purity. His name means “Adamantine Being”, or more poetically “Embodying Reality”.

He is a member of the Vajra family of Aksobhya which also includes Vajrapani. He is depicted as a young man in the prime of life, with all the silks and jewels of a wealthy prince.

In his right hand, he delicately balances a vajra at his heart. In his left hand, he holds a bell at his waist. The vajra represents Reality, and Compassion; while the bell represents Wisdom.

Vajrasattva is said to have originated from the seed syllable Hum and is generally invoked for the removal of obscuration of Kleshavarana and Jneya Avarana.

His hundred-syllable mantra is very efficacious in purifying our defilements through confession practice. It is said if confession is done with the four opponent powers, then non-virtuous actions or obscurations will be purified.

The first opponent’s power is the force of reliance. This means looking upon the visualized image of Vajrasattva as the embodiment of one refuge. The second opponent power is the sincere regret for the non-virtuous action done by oneself.

The third opponent’s power is desisting from evil deeds. The fourth opponent’s power is to apply the power of good deeds; especially regarding this case, practicing the meditation and recitation of Vajrasattva without parting from Bodhicitta while remaining in the state of emptiness.

Vajrasattva is a very popular tutelary deity for Nepalese Vajracharya. He is worshipped very often by Nepalese Buddhists through the Guru Mandala ritual.

In some mandalas Vajrasattva represents the Adi Buddha or the Primordial Principle of Buddhahood in others, he changes places with Aksobhya in the East.

In Shingon Buddhism it is Vajrasattva that passes on the initiation of the Dharmakāya Buddha Mahāvairocana to Nagarjuna, thereby creating the Vajrayana lineage.

Vajrasattva Mantra

The Vajrasattva mantra is Om Vajrasattva hum.

Iconography of Chenrezig

Chenrezig is presented at the left-down corner of the Manjushri in the thangka. Chenrezig Tibetan Art is visualized in many forms with various numbers of faces and arms, and various colors and ornaments. He sits on a lotus and the flat disc of the moon with another moon disk behind him, reflecting his total purity.

Two of his four arms are joined in the prayer position holding the wish-fulfilling gem. In his other left hand, he holds a lotus flower and in his other right hand, there is a crystal mala which he is using to count the repetitions of his mantra.

Chenrezig Mantra

The Chenrezig mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum.

Iconography of Vajrapani

Vajrapani is presented at the right-down corner of the Manjushri in the thangka. Vajrapaṇi is one of the earliest bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and guide of the Buddha and rose to symbolize the Buddha’s power.

Vajrapani is pictured dancing wildly within a halo of flames which represents transformation. He holds a vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand which emphasizes the power to cut through the darkness of delusion. Vajrapani looks wrathful, but as a representation of the enlightened mind. He is completely free from hatred.

Vajrapani Mantra

The Vajrapani mantra is om vajrapani hum phat.

Iconography of Shakyamuni

Shakyamuni Buddha is presented at the top right corner of the Manjushri in the thangka. His left hand is in his lap holding a begging bowl while the right arm is extended across the leg with the fingers touching the earth.

His skin is golden in color, the eyes partially closed and the hair piled with a gold ornament adorning the top of the head.

A dot (bindi or “urna”) between the eyebrows and the earlobes is elongated and pierced. The shoulders are covered with an orange and red robe wrapped around the torso and legs and tied at the waist with a green sash.

Shakyamuni Buddha Manra

The Shakyamuni Buddha mantra is Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha.

Iconography of Medicine Buddha

Medicine Buddha is presented at the top left corner of the Manjushri in the thangka. Medicine Buddha is the popular term for Bhaisajyaguru and refers to healing blue light transmitted by his representation and conception. Bhaisajyaguru means “Master of Blue Light”.

His healing energy is transmitted through a blue light wavelength called Vaydurya light. Medicine Buddha radiates this healing energy. Think of the light as internal chakra energy.

Medicine Buddha Mantra

The Medicine Buddha mantra is tayatha om bekandze bekandze maha bekandze radza samudgate Soha.