Manjusri Bodhisattva

CHINA, Tibet; Qing dynasty

This thangka was given to Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) on his 70th birthday in 1780 by the Sixth Panchen Lama. The Tibetans regard Emperor Qianlong as a manifestation of Manjusri Bodhisattva. In this center of this colorful thangka, the white-bodied Manjusri sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne. The Bodhisattva wears a golden crown and ornaments. The extended right hand holds a lotus, on top of which rests the sword of wisdom. A long-stemmed lotus supporting a sutra is held in the left hand. The upper register shows Tsongkhapa on the left, and the mahasiddha Dharmavajra on the right.
According to the scriptures, Manjusri was born into the brahmin caste at Sravasti and was said to have spoken when he was delivered from the right side of his mother’s body. Manjusri is described as possessing miraculous powers and whoever hears his name will be liberated from the sufferings of 1,200 million lifetimes. One who makes offerings to Manjusri will be constantly reborn in Buddhist families.