Manjushri / Jambiyang Mandala Tibetan Thangka Scroll Painting
  Detailed with 24 Karat Gold
  31.25" x 24.25"

Manjushri - The Bodhisattva of Wisdom

Manjushri embodies the omniscient wisdom of enlightenment - the wisdom that discerns the true nature of reality. He can discriminate between correct and incorrect views and between beneficial and non-beneficial actions to be taken on one's spiritual path. He bestows intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, mastery of the teachings, eloquence and memory. His name means "gentle glory" and he is especially revered in Nepal, where he is said to have enabled the founding of civilization in the Kathmandu Valley. Manjushri is also the patron Bodhisattva of the Kadampa (i.e. Gelugpa) order of Tibetan Buddhism, which is famous for its master scholars, called geshes.

Gestures and Attributes

Manjushri's left hand is in Vitarka Mudra, the gesture of teaching and intellectual discussion. This hand also holds the stem of a lotus flower that supports the Prajnaparamita, or Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The flaming sword in his right hand symbolizes the power of discriminating wisdom to cut through ignorance, the root of all suffering. Manjushri, in this sword-wielding pose, is representative of the courage and exertion needed to realize freedom.

Mandala is a circle which is a device for the Tantric meditation. It is a visual aid for concentration and introversive meditation leading to the attainment of insights and to activation of forces culminating in "Siddhi" supernatural forces. The Mandala is the graphic representation of this process. It is not only theoretical but practical also as an operational scheme involving a clear plan for practical realization of the process within oneself. It thus becomes an instrument (Yantra). There are many types and varieties of Mandalas depending on the nature of the central deity. The most classic pattern of Mandalas is of the Dhyani Buddha. This Thangka depicts Buddha Mandala. The Mandala represents "palace of purity" a magic sphere cleared of spiritual obstacles and unpurified. The square of the "Sacred palace" proper is end used in multiple circles of flame, Vajra, eight centuries (appears only in wrathful deities) lotus, then the inner square to reach to the deity of the Mandala.