Manjushri Lion’s Roar
Manjushri Lion’s Roar (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Manjushri Lion’s Roar and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Manjushri Lion’s Roar (English)
Alternative names: Jampel Sengetra (Tibetan); Vadisimha Manjushri (Sanskrit)
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. He is closely associated with Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani as they are part of the trinity known as Rigsum Gonpo (Three Protectors). Manjushri also belongs to a group of deities that are known as the Eight Bodhisattva Disciples of Lord Buddha, alongside Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, Maitreya and others. 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.
This form of Manjushri is known as Vadisimha Manjushri, literally meaning ‘Manjushri Lion’s Roar’, as he rides on a lion. This name actually refers to a variety of Manjushri’s classical forms. In some forms Manjushri holds a sword like in this depiction; in others, he forms the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma) mudra at his heart. The most famous depiction of Manjushri Lion’s Roar can be found prominently featured in temples on Mount Wu Tai (Wu Tai Shan), also known as the Five Peaks of Manjushri.
The great scholar and Tibetan Buddhist master Je Tsongkhapa is said to have appeared in the form of Manjushri Lion’s Roar in one of five pure visions to his heart disciple, Khedrub Je. There are also a number of depictions of Manjushri Lion’s Roar at the Manjushri Chapel in Sakya, Tibet which has contributed to the prevalence of Manjushri’s worship in this form.
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 Bodhisattva who represents wisdom. It is refer as the oldest and most significant bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. Another beautiful art of Manjushri Lion’s Roar and Dorje Shugden. We are fortunate been able to print out.
Thank you Rinpoche.