Mañjuśrī

Manjushri, translated into Chinese as Wondrous Virtues, Wondrous Auspicious One, Wondrous Bliss, or  Dharma Prince,  is also referred to as Manjusri Bodhisattva Childlike Naivety  Child-like Manjusri Bodhisattva and is one of the four great Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism.

Both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism revere Manjushri as the Dharma Master of Prajnaparamita wisdom, closely associated with Prajnaparamita Sutra. Also, Manjushri is sometimes regarded as one who had accomplished Buddhahood long ago, as according to the Foremost Shrangama Samadhi Sutra (Volume 2), in a past life distant eons before, he was a Tathagata known as Dragon Seed Superior Tathagata, who had attained supreme enlightenment in the southern Equal World. And having lived for 4.4 million years, he entered Nirvana and became the current Manjushri   Dharma Prince, a great sage contemporaneous with the Buddha.

The Manjushri Mahaparinirvana Sutra recounts that this bodhisattva was born into a Brahmin family in a Brahman clan, in the Doro settlement of Śrāvastī. At his birth, his home transformed into a lotus flower, and he emerged out of his mother’s right side. Later, he became a monk and studied under Shakyamuni Buddha.

Generally known as Manjusri Bodhisattva, he, along with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, follows Shakyamuni Buddha, representing Buddhist wisdom and virtues, respectively. The lion He rides symbolizes the power of his Dharma teachings. Besides, Tibetan Buddhism features a vast array of scriptures and rituals dedicated to Manjushri, reflecting the profound and transcendental reach of his teachings.

Manjushri manifests in various forms, including Yellow Manjushri, White Manjushri, and Black Manjushri, each appearing according to circumstances.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri's wisdom functions are generally categorized into seven types: broad wisdom, profound wisdom, discerning wisdom, agile wisdom, writing wisdom, debating wisdom, and public speaking wisdom.

Broad wisdom refers to the ability to understand all dharma and commentaries’ teachings without hindrance. Profound wisdom is the insight into the ultimate truth of all things, also known as the wisdom of emptiness. Discerning wisdom allows for the perception of subtle and profound nuances, making fine distinctions in the details of Buddhist texts.

 Agile wisdom is the sharp intellect that can swiftly resolve doubts or refute erroneous viewpoints and apply these insights in diverse situations.

Writing wisdom represents the skill of articulate expression through written words—a quality often separate from oral skills and thus highly valued.

Debating wisdom involves the ability to construct logical arguments on specific propositions, a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhist intellectual tradition concerning debates about sutra. Lastly, public speaking wisdom pertains to the mastery of effective communication and oratory, an essential attribute for dharma teachers and mages.Of these seven types of wisdom, the first four are considered self-benefiting, while the latter three are aimed at benefiting others.

While practicing the Dharma of Yellow Manjushri can lead to the cultivation of all seven types, developing profound wisdom is considered paramount, and through this practice, one can gain the wisdom to understand emptiness, dispelling attachments to and delusions about superficial appearances, uncovering illusions, and attaining inner freedom and ease.

Moreover, in Tibetan Buddhism, the practices associated with Yellow Manjushri comprise various methods, such as those of the Action Tantra, Highest Yoga Tantra, and both internal and secret practices, and it is said that with a pure lineage of teachings and dedicated retreat practice, significant improvements in wisdom can be achieved within months.

And according to tradition, those born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to have a special connection with Manjushri Bodhisattva as their guiding Buddha.

This artwork exemplifies a classic Red Thangka painting from the Neo-Meythang (Regong) School, featuring the deity Yellow Manjushri Bodhisattva who is depicted with a single face, two arms, and a luminous body of Jambunadasuvarna, and in his right hand, he holds a sword raised skyward, symbolizing the sword of wisdom that cuts through all attachments, afflictions, and enThangkalements.

His left hand cradles an Utpala or green lotus at his chest extending to his left shoulder, which flower bears a sutra vessel representing Prajnaparamita Sutra, signifying that all wisdom originates from these sacred teachings. At the top the venerable Atiśa represents the source of the Dharma lineage, encircled by lotus blossoms that symbolize the purity of Buddhist teachings and the perfection of practice and realization. Flanking the central figure are two auxiliary deities: Avalokiteśvara, embodying compassion, and Vajrapani, representing strength and power. Together, they are revered as the "Three Masters of Compassion, kindness and Wisdom."