Manjushri: The Bodhisattva of Wisdom
In the rich tapestry of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, Manjushri stands as the radiant embodiment of wisdom.
He has the insight that cuts through delusion and illuminates the path to enlightenment. Manjushri is one of the earliest and most venerated bodhisattvas, mentioned in foundational texts such as the Prajnaparamita Sutras, the Lotus Sutra, and the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra. His youthful image, his sword of knowledge, and his lotus-held scripture have become iconic across Buddhism in different countries.
Who is Manjushri?
Manjushri is typically depicted as a youthful prince, symbolising the ever-fresh nature of wisdom. In his right hand, he wields a flaming sword, which cuts through ignorance, the root of all suffering. His left hand holds a lotus upon which rests a copy of the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, the core Mahāyāna text on emptiness and ultimate reality.
In Tibetan depictions, he often sits on a blue lion, a symbol of fearlessness and the confident roar of awakened wisdom. His youthful form represents clarity and mental sharpness unclouded by time or impurity.
Manjushri manifests in a variety of forms to assist beings on different levels. These include:
White Manjushri: A form emphasising clarity, wisdom, and eloquence.
Black Manjushri: A more wrathful form that removes obstacles and purifies negative karma.
Orange Manjushri: Commonly associated with wisdom and learning.
Each of these forms addresses the diverse mental and karmic conditions of practitioners, acting like different medicines tailored to particular spiritual ailments.
Stories and Legends Across Cultures
Manjushri in Nepal: The Draining of the Kathmandu Valley
Swayambhunath Stupa in Nepal
One of the most beloved stories comes from Nepal, where Manjushri is believed to have played a pivotal role in shaping the sacred geography of the Kathmandu Valley. According to the Swayambhu Purana, one of the oldest Nepalese Buddhist Text chronicling the prehistoric legends of the Nepal Valley (present-day Kathmandu Valley), the valley was once a vast lake. Drawn by visions of a lotus flower atop the lake, Manjushri journeyed from China. Upon arriving, he realised that this place must be made accessible to all beings. He used his flaming sword to cut through the hills at Chovar, draining the lake and revealing the site where the Swayambhunath Stupa now stands. This act made the valley habitable and spiritually potent, and Manjushri became revered as the civilizing force behind the region.
Even today, Manjushri is deeply venerated in the Kathmandu Valley, especially at Swayambhunath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal.
Manjushri in China: The Sacred Mountain of Wutai Shan
Manjushri at Central Peak in Wutai Shan
In Chinese Buddhism, Manjushri is known as Wenshu Pusa (文殊菩萨) and is strongly associated with Wutai Shan (Mount Wutai) in Shanxi Province. This sacred mountain is considered his spiritual abode in the earthly realm and has been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries.
Legend holds that Manjushri appears there in various forms. He would sometimes appear as a monk, a beggar, or even a child, to guide and test the faith of practitioners. Many stories recount visions of Manjushri riding a lion through the mists of Wutai Shan or offering teachings to pilgrims in disguise. Numerous temples on the mountain are dedicated to him, such as the famous pilgrimage of five peaks at Wutai Shan.
These manifestations reflect Manjushri's compassion, appearing to each person in a form they can understand and learn from.
Manjushri in Korea: The Healer in Disguise
Wooden Seated Child Manjusri of Sangwonsa Temple in Korea
In Korean Buddhist tradition, a well-known legend tells of a king who was suffering from an incurable skin disease. A mysterious child appeared, offering a miraculous cure that healed the king completely. The child vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, and it was later revealed through visions and signs that the boy was none other than Manjushri himself.
To honor this manifestation, a statue of Manjushri as a child was enshrined at Sangwonsa Temple, which remains an important pilgrimage site today, the 221st National Treasure of South Korea. This symbolises the belief that wisdom can appear in the most unexpected and humble forms.
This story emphasises Manjushri’s compassionate activity not only as a teacher, but also as a healer, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual suffering alike.
The Power of the Mantra
The most widely practiced mantra associated with Manjushri is:
Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi
ཨོཾ་ཨ་ར་པ་ཙ་ན་དྷཱི༔
Regular recitation of this mantra is said to:
Improve memory and learning capacity.
Sharpen eloquence and clarity in communication.
Support practitioners in understanding the Dharma deeply.
Dispel ignorance and gain wisdom.
In Tibetan monasteries, students often recite this mantra before studying or debating, as it is believed to remove mental fog and open the mind to wisdom.
A particularly powerful seed syllable from this mantra is “DHI”, which is sometimes chanted repeatedly in a concentrated way to invoke the essence of Manjushri’s wisdom.