WEI-SHU-SHI-LI P'USA -- MANJUSRI  


WEI-SHU-SHI-LI P'USA -- MANJUSRI

Manjusri, the personification of Transcendental Wisdom, is the
first Bodhisat va mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, and one of
the two most prominent and important Bodhisat vas of Maha-
yana Buddhism. His wisdom is perfect and is symbolised by the
sword, he holds in his right hand signifying his intel ect which
pierces the deepest recesses of Buddhist thought and cut ing
doubts which cannot otherwise be solved. His name frequently
appears in various sutras and in the Lotus Sutra, or e Lotus of
the Good Law, it was mentioned that he had trained and disci-
plined many bodhisat vas.
In the Mahayana, Wisdom and Compassion are regarded as
equal y important, but with greater emphasis on Wisdom. Man-
jusri, the Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, is therefore con-
sidered as the foremost Bodhisat va in early Mahayana. Later
Mahayana laid greater stress on the practise of Compassion so
that Avalokitesvara, the Lord of Compassion (Karuna), who is
known to the Chinese as Kuan Shih Yin P'usa, soon emerged as
the supreme Bodhisat va.
Manjusri, meaning `Gentle Glory' or `Sweet Splendour', is often
regarded as the `prince royal' of the Buddha's realm. He is also

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