Thanka Manjushree

Hand painted on canvas

Size: approx. 125 x 75 cm

Majushree

Majushree, god of divine wisdom, whose worship gives mastery of the Dharma memory. However, mental perfection and eloquence are a prerequisite for this. Manjushree is also a form of bodhisatwas and it symbolizes wisdom. In Nepal, he is considered the founder of Nepalese civilization and the creator of the Kathmandu Valley. According to tradition, he was a Chinese saint. His intuition told him about the blue flame (symbol for Adibuddha or Swayambhu) on a lotus in the big lake of Nepal. He went there to offer worship but was unable to reach the water because of it. He cut the south wall of the hills with his sword, causing the water of a lake to flow south. This made the dry valley a fertile Kathmandu valley. He carries the sword of wisdom and light in his right hand and the Prajnaparmita manuscript the “Book of Divine Wisdom” in his left hand on the lotus flower. His left hand is shown in a teaching gesture (Jnan Mudra.). Called Manju Bara, Vajranga and Vagiswara, people believe that worshiping Manjushre will give them wisdom, memory, intelligence, etc.