Tales With My Lama: Manjushri
The Manjushri statue on my desk. This statue was given to me by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche.
Pastor David has been a student of His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche for over 15 years and within the ‘Tales With My Lama’ series of articles, he explores his spiritual relationship with Rinpoche, sharing anecdotes, stories, observations and little Dharma nuggets. It is all told to inspire others for their own spiritual relationship with their teachers.
I have a gilded statue of Manjushri that sits on a small altar on my desk. I had just offered incense when I was inspired to write this piece. This statue is a 9-inch Nepali crafted figurine that became a part of my shrine a little over 14 years ago. What makes this statue significant is that it was a gift from His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche and was the first Buddha statue I have ever owned.
I still remember that day. I was with Rinpoche and Rinpoche felt inspired to talk spontaneously about Manjushri and the benefits of his practice. Towards the end of his teaching, Rinpoche turned to me and said that I should make Manjushri or any form of Manjushri the focus of my daily practice. At that time, although I was not really familiar with all the deities in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon, I knew about Lama Tsongkhapa and Manjushri.
The Manjushri statue on my desk. Click to enlarge.
Rinpoche then asked me to pick between Lama Tsongkhapa and Manjushri. I hesitated for a moment as I really like both. In the end, I chose Manjushri and to my surprise, Rinpoche picked up a beautiful statue of Manjushri from his own shrine and handed it to me amidst recitations of benediction. Rinpoche first placed Manjushri on my head before laying the beautiful statue into my receiving hands, with a white khata scarf. I was overjoyed!
That was the manner in which Rinpoche gave me my main practice. Rinpoche intuitively knew the Buddha-deity that I should focus on and it matched perfectly the deity that I was interested in. This is also one good example of Rinpoche’s boundless generosity, that he would even offer his own personal worship items that moments before, were on his own shrine. This is no other person who would give such lavish gifts of a priceless Buddha statue.
Furthermore, Rinpoche has never seen Buddha statues as priceless works of art meant only to be collected for oneself alone. Rinpoche keeps Buddha statues as potential gifts for people he meets as a blessing or to kick-start their spiritual practice just like how I received Manjushri. It does not matter to Rinpoche if the statue is expensive or not. He is ever willing to give the statue away if it would benefit that person.
Pastor David
For more interesting information:
- Dream Manjushri
- All About Manjushri
- Wonderful Wu Tai Shan – Manjushri’s Holy Place
- A Concert of Names of Manjushri
- Orange Manjushri – a Meditation by the 5th Dalai Lama
- Mount Wu Tai – the Earthly Abode of Lord Manjushri
- 4-Armed Manjushri at KFR
- Manjushri Lion’s Roar
- The Many Forms of Manjushri
- How Wrathful Manjushri Helps Us to Heal
- Manjushri Mantra Stones
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Rejoice Pastor David for having received one of Rinpoche personal treasure a beautiful statue of Manjushri. I do agree with Pastor David that Rinpoche is very generous with whatever he has as long as he feels that he is benefiting the person. We are very fortunate to have such a great Guru as an example for our own practice. Tsem Rinpoche’s generosity is not only to the students. Many times he has sent statues, thangkas, books to people he has not met before. Sometimes Tsem Rinpoche will give away his personal items to people if he thinks it will benefit that person. Thank you very much Pastor David for your light and profound sharing of Rinpoche’s kindness and generousity ????
Rejoice Pastor David for having received one of Rinpoche personal treasure a beautiful statue of Manjushri. Looks stunning indeed. Many of us have received many beautiful gifts from Rinpoche to start of with our spiritual practice. That’s Rinpoche’s limitless generosity nature and we are considered very fortunate to have meet Rinpoche .
Thank you Pastor David for sharing your beautiful statue with us.
Tsem Rinpoche is a very kind, compassionate and generous lama. Giving Dharma to people is always his priority because Dharma is the best solution to solve our problems in life. I have read many stories about how Tsem Rinpoche always gives presents to people to help them embark on their spiritual journey.
Sometimes Tsem Rinpoche will give away his personal items to people if he thinks it will benefit that person. He has no attachment to things, all he wants is to bring happiness to people and liberate them from their sufferings. It is very rare to find a person who is so generous and never wants anything in return.
Tsem Rinpoche’s generosity is not only to the students. Many times he has sent statues, thangkas, books to people he has not met before. He has also sponsored statues to the monasteries or people who want to establish a new Dharma center. Tsem Rinpoche has also rescued many animals, he gave them a safe home so they don’t have to suffer. Tsem Rinpoche’s kindness is for all sentient beings, not just limited to people.
Thank you for sharing your experience with Rinpoche with us Pastor David. I rejoice for you that it had helped with your spiritual path. I do agree with you that Rinpoche is very generous with whatever he has as long as he feels that he is benefiting the person. We are very lucky to have such a great Guru as an example for our own practice.