Guhya Manjushri – the Secret Form of Wisdom
Guhya Manjushri (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Guhya Manjushri and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Guhya Manjushri (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Jampel Sang Den (Tibetan)
Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. The text that he holds is symbolic of his practice granting wisdom, insight and merit. Both the main figure and the smaller figure above is that of Guhya Manjushri. Guhya Manjushri or Secret Manjushri is a rare form where he has six faces.
The main figure shows that he has six faces in a single level, as per the Mitra Gyatsa by the Indian Mahasiddha Mitra Dzokyi. He has two hands, both holding a lotus that supports Dharma texts. He is yellow-saffron in colour and sits in full lotus position.
The smaller Guhya Manjushri above is from another lineage which depicts him with six faces, five on one level and the sixth on top. This form of Manjushri was originally from Tibet but was transmitted and worshipped within the royal household of the Forbidden City of Imperial China. In fact, this Guhya Manjushri was regarded as the ‘protector’ of the Forbidden City and his worship was particularly emphasised by the emperors of China as the royal court favoured the pursuit of wisdom and the intellect as an important aspect of life and the growth of the empire. Manjushri is a deity the Chinese emperors established strongly and worshipped in their royal courts.
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 identified as the oldest and most significant Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism literature. In Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri is believed to manifests many different tantric forms. Guhya-Manjushri is one the famously manifested forms of Manjushri and is known as the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom. Guhya-Manjushri is a rare form where he has six faces. Here it is depicted with Dorje Shugden paints a thousand words.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.