C IX
en-hu-hih-i ’usa
anjusri odhisattva
Manjusri, the personification of Transcendental Wisdom, is the
first Bodhisattva mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, and one of
the two most prominent and important Bodhisattvas of Maha-
yana Buddhism. His wisdom is perfect and is symbolised by the
sword, he holds in his right hand signifying his intellect which
pierces the deepest recesses of Buddhist thought and cutting
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 bodhisattvas.In the Mahayana, Wisdom and Compassion are regarded as
equally important, but with greater emphasis on Wisdom. Man-
jusri, the Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, is therefore con-
sidered as the foremost Bodhisattva 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 Bodhisattva.Manjusri, meaning ‘Gentle Glory’ or ‘Sweet Splendour’, is often
regarded as the ‘prince royal’ of the Buddha’s realm. He is also