Statue of Manjusri (Monju) at Senkoji in Onomichi, Japan
Mañjuśrī (文殊 Ch. Wen Shu, Jp. Monju, TibetanJambeyang), also written Manjushri, is a bodhisattva. A disciple of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, he represents wisdom, intelligence and realization, and after Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin) is probably the most popular bodhisattva.
Manjusri is originally male, but is often depicted with feminine features in Japan, possibly due to cross-fertilization with Benzaiten. In Japan, he (or she) is typically presented riding a lion, holding a raised sword in his right hand and holding a scroll in his left hand (see image). In the trinity with Shakyamuni and Samantabhadra, he is usually depicted sitting on Shakyamuni's left side.
A flaming sword, held in his left, represents his realisation of wisdom, that cuts through all wrong views. The Scripture in his hand represents the Prajnaparamita-Sutras, which explain the wisdom that he has realized.
Manchu
According to legend, Jurchen leader and founder of the Qing DynastyNurhaci believed himself to be a reincarnation of Manjusri. He thus banned the name "Jurchen" and renamed his race the Manchus.
Manjushri's sword of discriminating wisdom is tipped with flames to show that it severs all notions of duality.
According to one Manjushri sadhana, we repeat the DHIH as often as possible in the one, same breath while visualizing a golden-orange DHIH on our tongue from which millions of other DHIHs spring, to be swallowed and fill the body purifying all negative energy and stains, especially the shadow of ignorance.
As Yamantaka, Manjusri assumes a fierce blue-fl bull-headed form to defeat Yama, god of death: Once, a holy man, practicing meditation in a cave, was the unintentional witness of the slaughter of a stolen bull by two thieves.
Manjushri's youth signifies that his wisdom is not acquired based on experience or long years of study, but is immanent and ever available.
Manjushri exhibits penetrating brilliance or intellect, with insight into the essence of existence in general or insight into the heart of some particular mode of expression.
Manjushri's concern with ethics is exemplified by Dylan in his many songs about contemporary injustices, whether of persons wrongfully imprisoned, or "masters of war" not held accountable for true crimes.
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