Page 106 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

C IX

en-hu-hih-i ’usa

anjusri odhisattva

Manjusri, the personification of Transcendental Wisdom, is the

first Bodhisattva mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, and one of

the two most prominent and important Bodhisattvas of Maha-

yana Buddhism. His wisdom is perfect and is symbolised by the

sword, he holds in his right hand signifying his intellect which

pierces the deepest recesses of Buddhist thought and cutting

doubts which cannot otherwise be solved. His name frequently

appears in various sutras and in the Lotus Sutra, or e Lotus of

the Good Law, it was mentioned that he had trained and disci-

plined many bodhisattvas.

In the Mahayana, Wisdom and Compassion are regarded as

equally important, but with greater emphasis on Wisdom. Man-

jusri, the Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, is therefore con-

sidered as the foremost Bodhisattva in early Mahayana. Later

Mahayana laid greater stress on the practise of Compassion so

that Avalokitesvara, the Lord of Compassion (Karuna), who is

known to the Chinese as Kuan Shih Yin P’usa, soon emerged as

the supreme Bodhisattva.

Manjusri, meaning ‘Gentle Glory’ or ‘Sweet Splendour’, is often

regarded as the ‘prince royal’ of the Buddha’s realm. He is also

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