Manjushri the Magnificent
Manjushri (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Manjushri Arapachana and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Manjushri Arapachana (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Jamyang Arapatsana (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. 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. The practice and rituals associated with Manjushri Arapachana was first described in the Siddhaikavira Tantra.
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 Bhagawan 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.
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Another beautiful painting of Manjushri Arapachana and Dorje Shugden. Arapachana Manjushri is depicted as a male bodhisattva wielding a flaming sword in his right hand, representing the realization of transcendent wisdom which cuts down ignorance and duality.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.