The Bodhisattva of Wisdom – Lord Manjushri
Manjushri (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Four-Armed Chenrezig, Manjushri, Vajrapani and Dorje Shugden.
This thangka depicts the “Three Protectors”, known in Tibetan as the Rigsum Gonpo. This enlightened trinity refers to Manjushri, Chenrezig, and Vajrapani. They symbolically represent the wisdom, compassion and skilful means of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future respectively. They also represent the body, speech and mind of all the Buddhas.
In Tibet, the great Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo is said to have constructed four temples dedicated to this sacred trinity around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. This bears testament to the importance of these three great enlightened beings who have emanated as Bodhisattvas since ancient times.
Manjushri, or Jampal Yang in Tibetan, literally means “Gentle-voiced” and he has the appearance of a youthful 16-year-old prince. He is one of the most popular Bodhisattvas in the Buddhist pantheon and his earthly abode is in the Wu Tai Shan Mountains of China. He is widely known to be the patron Bodhisattva of Wisdom. He holds aloft a fiery wisdom-sword that cuts through all obscurations in his right hand. With his left hand he holds the stem of an immaculate lotus that supports a text on the “Perfection of Wisdom” in one hundred thousand stanzas which is symbolic of the highest form of wisdom – the correct view of emptiness. Hence, by relying of Manjushri we are able to develop powerful memory, a flair for the arts, some measure of clairvoyance and deep insight into the Buddha’s teachings.
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the “All-Seeing Lord”. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM. His most commonly depicted form has four arms that represent the “Four Immeasurables” of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and perfect equanimity. With two of his hands folded at his heart, he holds a blue wish-granting gem, symbolising the great compassion of all Buddhas. With his other right hand, he holds aloft a mala of 108 beads, representing his ability to guide all beings on the path to liberation. With his other left hand he holds aloft the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by samsara and he has great compassion. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who are angersome as his practice lessens anger and also for those who suffer from depression.
Vajrapani, known as Chagna Dorje in Tibetan, literally means ‘Holder of the Vajra’ and he represents the Buddha’s power or skilful means. He is in peaceful aspect with his right hand holding a five-pointed vajra at his heart and his left pressing down on his moon disk seat. He is blue in colour and sits in a relaxed meditation posture. He wears the six ornaments of a Bodhisattva representing the Six Perfections. Vajrapani also is known as the Lord of Secrets and that means he bestows practitioners with a special aptitude to practise Tantra. He is well-known to pacify inner and outer Maras. Inner maras are delusions and the self-grasping mind while outer maras refer to malevolent spirits and obstructing beings.
Dorje Shugden is the emanation of Manjushri and he has taken the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard Lama Tsongkhapa’s special teachings. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering wisdom sword. He rides a snow lion which represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles and create conducive conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish.
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First of all I bow to you guruji and thank you for sharing ❤ such a beautiful information …guruji I’m very sorry that I copied and pasted this for my self .
Forgive me my sin of stealing .
This beautiful thangka of Manjushri, Four-Armed Chenrezig, Vajrapani and Dorje Shugden depicts the “Three Protectors”, as known in Tibetan which represent the wisdom, compassion and skilful.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.