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Significance of Manjushri

Manjushri is a significant bodhisattva in Buddhism, representing wisdom across various traditions, including Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism. He embodies the aspiration for enlightenment and the benefit of others, frequently depicted with a sword symbolizing profound insight. Manjushri is central to many teachings, including the Lotus Sutra and tantras, and is celebrated for guiding practitioners in understanding Buddhist philosophy. His presence is associated with wisdom in diverse narratives, emphasizing his enduring role in the spiritual journey towards enlightenment.1
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Synonyms: Wisdom, Knowledge, Insight, Enlightenment, Understanding

In Dutch: Manjushri; In German: Manjushri; In Finnish: Manjushri; In Spanish: Manjushri

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Manjushri'

Buddhism Books

Manjushri is a significant Bodhisattva in Buddhism, representing transcendent wisdom and insight. He plays vital roles in teachings, enlightenment attainment, and guidance, often depicted with a sword and book, symbolizing the clarity and power of wisdom.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A specific bodhisattva known for his wisdom who offered a bowl of cakes to satisfy a large assembly of monks without depleting the offering.[1] (2) A bodhisattva who engages with the others on the topic of nonduality and seeks further clarification on the teachings.[2] (3) A powerful bodhisattva residing in the Padmavati universe, noted for his ability to penetrate into the five destinies.[3] (4) A prominent bodhisattva known for wisdom, who desires to see the assembly of the Buddhas.[4] (5) A major bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, often associated with wisdom and knowledge, who played a role in the mythological narratives concerning the compilation of texts.[5]

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) A significant Bodhisattva in Buddhism, symbolizing Transcendent Wisdom, often depicted with a sword and book.[6] (2) The god of Transcendent Wisdom, referred to as Adi-Buddha in the Namasangiti compiled before the tenth century.[7] (3) The Bodhisattva of wisdom, frequently depicted alongside Avalokitesvara in numerous forms.[8] (4) A bodhisattva associated with wisdom, often represented alongside Ts'on-k'a-pa.[9] (5) The bodhisattva representing wisdom, who took on a ferocious form as Yamantaka to defeat Yama.[10]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) A Bodhisattva symbolizing wisdom who asks questions on behalf of others, clarifying complex teachings and aiding comprehension.[11] (2) A Bodhisattva known as Wonderfully Auspicious Bodhisattva, representing wisdom and insight in Buddhist tradition.[12] (3) A Bodhisattva known as the 'wonderful virtue,' who leads the Bodhisattvas and is considered to bring auspiciousness to any place he visits.[13] (4) A Bodhisattva associated with wisdom and realization in Mahayana Buddhism, who plays a role in the attainment of enlightenment.[14]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) The wisdom being revered as a teacher; in this context, he is honored for exemplifying supreme enlightenment and guiding practitioners.[15] (2) The meditation deity of Shantideva, representing wisdom; direct teachings were received from this deity for writing treatises.[16]

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra

(1) A renowned Bodhisattva representing wisdom, known for his divine ability to help sentient beings.[17]

From: Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)鈥擯reface

(1) A Bodhisattva embodying wisdom, often invoked for understanding and insight.[18]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) A Bodhisattva associated with wisdom who speaks on behalf of the Buddha regarding the teachings and practices of Buddhism.[19]

From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)

(1) A prominent Bodhisattva known for wisdom and insight, often depicted as a young man wielding a sword.[20]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The Bodhisattva of wisdom, revered for his teachings and guidance in understanding Buddhist philosophy.[21] (2) An important bodhisattva associated with wisdom and knowledge in Tibetan Buddhism.[22] (3) The Bodhisattva of wisdom, whose vision grol sgom chos gyung experienced, directing him to a specific path of practice.[23] (4) A bodhisattva embodying wisdom and knowledgeable in Buddhist teachings, involved in translations and teachings.[24] (5) A bodhisattva encountered by Dam pa who revealed the existence of a dharani for health.[25]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) A prominent bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism associated with wisdom and insight.[26] (2) A bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism associated with wisdom and the teachings of the Sutra, who represents the aspiration for the benefit of others.[27] (3) A bodhisattva representing wisdom, used in teachings about the aspiration for enlightening oneself and others.[28]