Eliminate the darkness enclosing my mind, give me intelligence so that I may gain
insight.
-Prayer to Manjusri Bodhisattva (qtd. in Kerby, W.R. “Prayer to Manjushri”)
Manjusri is the god of wisdom and courage. In other texts, he is the god who created the
‘nanshoku’ or ‘male homosexual love’ He is also one of the most prominent gods portrayed in
the Mahayana art and literature. He is the representation of the wisdom of prajna which is
closedly related to the Madhyamika School of Buddhism which was founded by the Indian monk
named Nagarjuna in the 2nd century. Though the origins of Manjusri is uncertain, scholars
believes that like Buddha, he came from a wealthy family from India and received an education
appropriate for his status. Manjusri was first mentioned in the pages of the Mahayana literature
most particularly on the chapter of the lotus sutra (verses) and the Vimalakirti Sutra. However,
the most accurate book detailing about Manjusri’s life is the Prajna Paramamita Sutra a Sanskrit
book which literally means the ‘Perfect Wisdom’ in English. By the 4th and 5th centuries, he
became famous throughout India and is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Mahayana
Buddhism. His Sanskrit name means, ‘noble and gentle’ and Manjusri is known to people as the
‘gentle voiced one’ because of his soft spoken tone. Other people regarded to him as the ‘gentle
glory’ because of his very kind attitude towards people despite his status in the society. His
personality, is often described by monks as ‘the one who has attained the true meaning of
wisdom.’ Hence, for the Mahayana Buddhism, in line with Gautama he is one of the most
influential. His name is first stated in the first lines of the Mahayana scriptures
and are as follows:
"He is revered as the chief of the Bodhisattvas. With Fugen, he is depicted as one
of the two bodhisattvas who attend Shakyamuni Buddha. Manjusri is generally shown at the
Buddha's left, riding a lion, and represents the virtues of wisdom and enlightenment. In contrast,
Shakyamuni's right-hand attendant, Bodhisattva Fugen, represents the virtues of truth and
practice. According to the Manjusri Hatsunehan Sutra (Sutra of the Nirvana of Monjushiri),
Manjusri was born to a Brahman family in Shravasti and joined the Buddhist Order,
converting a great number of people." (qtd. in urbandharma ch.3)
layman’s terms, the ‘bodhisattvas’ are gods who work for the enlightment of all mankind. He is
often depicted as a young man holding the Vajra Sword of Discriminating Insight in his right
hand and the Prajna Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) Sutra in his left hand. The sword is
Manjushri's most interesting attribute because the sword cuts through ignorance and man’s
distorted views and cuts away ego and self-created obstacles. Although there are some instances
that his sword is seen with flames; it is because the flame itself represents warmth, light and
transformation of the human mind. People believed that the sword the Vajra sword can give life
and death to anyone. While the ‘Prajna Paramita’ a Sanskrit book collection of Mahayana
verses. In some pictures drawn since the beginning of the 6th century, he is often seen to ride a
wild lion while holding a book on his hand. The lion represents Manjusri’s princely qualities and
courageous nature although other scholars of the Mahayana sect believes that the lion is the
representation of the man’s wild spirit and in order to tame the beast, Manjusri must lower them
down by means of ‘sitting’ on the lion to so that everything in man’s nature will remain in
harmony. Although there are times that he is pictured sitting on a lotus, holding either a jewel or
a scepter. As a deity of knowledge, his prayers is recited at the dawn by monks and students
aiming to have a high score on their exams. Although no one nowadays can prove his real
existence as a god or a human being, Manjusri’s teachings are in a way the key in having the life
we’ve always wanted. Manjusri’s teachings can help us in a way we can actually develop
ourselves into people with deeper insights but with kind personality. By adapting his teachings
we can change the way we perceive about the world and ourselves.
Works Cited:
Karuna, Tri Ratna Priya. “Bodhisattva Manjusri”.http://www.urbandharma.org/ibmc/ibmc1/jusri.html International Buddhism Meditation Center.info, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2014
“Manjusri Bodhisattva”. DharmaFlower.net 2005. <http:// http://dharmaflower.net/_bodhisattva/manjushri.aspx>
Kerby, W.R. “Prayer to Manjushri”. Video and Photo Galleries. 27 Apr.2008 <http:// http://www.city-data.com/forum/buddhism/315754-manjushri.html>
