The Perfect Disciples: Maitreya and Manjushri
Maitreya and Manjushri (Main figures)
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(Top to bottom): Maitreya, Manjushri and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Maitreya (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Jampa (Tibetan); Ajita (Sanskrit)
Maitreya’s name literally means ‘Great Love’ in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. He is said to currently be a crowned bodhisattva residing in Tushita pure realm, awaiting his time to take rebirth on earth to become the future Buddha. Once reborn, he will sit under a sacred tree and achieve complete and perfect Enlightenment like his predecessor, Buddha Shakyamuni. By that time, Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings will have disappeared and the world will be engulfed in a dark age as it is devoid of true Dharma.
Maitreya is considered part of a group of Bodhisattvas known as the Eight Great Bodhisattva Disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, who is portrayed in the palace above him. Maitreya’s iconography depicts him sitting with his feet on the floor, holding a Dharma Wheel and water flask. In this particular depiction, he sits in conversation with Manjushri, both of whom are known for propagating the teachings of their Guru, the Buddha Shakyamuni. Maitreya’s practice is said to develop high consciousness through the development of compassion and loving-kindness.
Deity: Manjushri (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Jampelyang (Tibetan)
Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. In his right hand, he holds a flaming wisdom sword which cuts away the roots of ignorance from our lives and in his left hand, he holds the stem of a lotus on top of which rests a Perfection of Wisdom text. This text is symbolic of his practice granting wisdom, insight and merit. Manjushri is frequently featured in Sutras because he is known to have asked important spiritual questions, which Lord Buddha answered by giving extremely beneficial teachings. The orange colour of his skin represents the growth and proliferation of wisdom, clarity, merits, memory, eloquence, knowledge and the arts in practitioners. He is also called the Lord of Awakened Speech, which reveals his special ability to purify the negative karma of one’s speech and the development of a powerful ability to influence others positively into the Dharma.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Manjushri is a great Buddha and a bodhisattva who represents wisdom residing in Tushita pure realm. While according to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on earth in the future. Maitreya will be a successor to the present Sakyamuni Buddha. This beautiful painting depicts the two most important bodhisattvas in Tibetan Buddhism and Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. Maitreya,and Manjushri represent the two chief qualities of the enlightened state. Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings.