Page 108 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols
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addressed as ‘Manjugosha’ with ‘Manju’ meaning ‘soft’ indicat-
ing that his continuum has become softened by his wisdom
which cuts through distress-causing hindrances to liberation
from cyclic liberation (Samsara), and the non-afflictive obstruc-
tions to infinite knowledge or Omniscience. ‘Gosha’ means
‘chanting’ or ‘intonation’ referring to his possessing a Buddha’s
perfect vocalisation abilities.
According to Chinese Buddhism, he was informed by Sakya-
muni Buddha that it was his duty and responsibility to seek the
instruction and salvation of the Chinese people by making his
abode at the Wu-tai Shan in the Shansi province, and there to
cause the Wheel of Dharma to turn incessantly.
Manjusri’s popularity in the northern Buddhist countries
stretches from Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, China, Mongolia, Korea
to Japan. Millions of Chinese Buddhists daily recite “Namo
Wen-shu-Shih-Li P’usa” to seek his blessings. He is the most
popular Bodhisattva among the Buddhists of Tibet and Nepal
where even young children constantly repeat his mantra, ‘Om-
ara-pa-chana-dhih’ which is a prayer for developing wisdom.
Holy books compiled by lamas often begin with the mantra
‘Namo Guru Manjugoshaya’ as a mark of respect to Manjusri for
he is indeed ‘the lamp of wisdom and supernatural power’ who
is the destroyer of falsehood and ignorance from the minds of all
beings.
e illustration of Manjusri is an useful aid to those who would
like to visualise him during their prayers or meditational prac-
