Manjushree: God of Divine Wisdom Mongolian Thangka
28" x 22" Framed. Painting 18" x 13"
Manjushree, the God of Divine Wisdom whose worship confers mastery of the Dharma, retentive memory, mental perfection, and eloquence. Manjushree is a bodhisattva associated with prajna, insight, in Mahayana Buddhism. His name means Gentle Glory in Sanskrit. Manjushree 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. His left hand is in the teaching mudra.
According to Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that Manjusrī came on a pilgrimage from his earthly abode, Wutaishan, a five-peaked mountain, in China. He saw a lotus flower in the center of the lake, which emitted brilliant radiance. He cut a gorge at Chovar with his flaming sword to allow the lake to drain. The place where the lotus flower settled became the great Swayambhunath Stupa and the valley thus became habitable creating the Katmandu Valley. In Nepal, he is considered the founder of the Nepalese civilization.
Handpainted in Mongolia
