Manjushri Notebook

Manjushri is depicted as a male bodhisattva associated with transcendent wisdom in Buddhism. The Sanskrit name can be translated as Gentle Glory. He is wielding a flaming sword in his right hand, representing the realization of transcendent wisdom which cuts down ignorance and duality. The scripture supported by the lotus held in his left hand is a Prajñāpāramitā sūtra, representing his attainment of ultimate realization from the blossoming of wisdom. Mañjuśrī is often depicted as riding on a blue lion, or sitting on the skin of a lion. This represents the use of wisdom to tame the mind, which is compared to riding or subduing a ferocious lion. In Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri is sometimes depicted in a trinity withAvalokiteshvara (Tib. Chenrazig) and Vajrapani (Tib. Channa Dorje). In Nepal, legends say that the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that Mañjuśrī saw a lotus flower in the center of the lake and cut a gorge to allow the lake to drain. The place where the lotus flower settled became the famous Swayambunath Stupa and the valley thus became habitable.