Manjushri Tibetan Buddhist Handmade Brocade Thangka

This Manjushri thangka is 34 inches long and 20 inches wide. The material around the sides of this thangka is made from brocade material. This thangka was handmade in Nepal.

Manjushri was born as a human and became a bodhisattva through enlightenment. He sat and meditated underneath a tree for seven days, and at the end of the seven days he became an enlightened being. His enlightenment was so profound that Samantabhadra became enlightened simply by looking at Manjushri. Manjushri is the bodhisattva of wisdom. In Tibetan Buddhism Manjushri is a tantric meditational deity (yidam). Manjushri is often depicted as an innocent youth in his late teens. Manjushri's youth shows that wisdom does not have to come from age, and that it is always there for those who seek it. Manjushri is the bodhisattva of poetry and language. Manjushri seeks to liberate language so that true meanings will be revealed.

Manjushri's sword symbolizes his ability to cut through ignorance, and find truth. In Nepal, it is believed that the Kathmandu valley was created when Manjushri cut it out with his sword. Manjushri's mantra is "Aom Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhee Dhee Dhee." This mantra is learned by all beginning learners of Buddhism, and it is said to confer wisdom.