The Royal Prince of Buddha's Realm

Millions of years ago, there was a wise teacher calledspot with a prosperous and flourishing Buddhist center.
Amala-Surya-Tathagata. The king who rules theWu Tai Shan is seen as the earthly abode of Manjusri
kingdom had a daughter named Da Hui. One daysince the 5th century. This is because there are
Princess Da Hui knelt down beforereports and written texts of His presence on the
Amalas-Surya-Tathagata and asked him to transformmountain, appearing to many monks and travelers. So
her into a man, so that she could achieve towidespread were the stories of His appearances that
Bodhisattvahood.by the middle of the Tang Dynasty, it became an
The teacher replied, "So long as you aspire to be theinternational pilgrimage center. During the Qing Dynasty,
mind of supreme benevolence and accomplishthe famous Emperor Kangxi was a frequent visitor of
wholesome merits, you will be able to turn into a man."the mountain.
Upon hearing this, Da Hui instantly became a man. HeManjusri appeared to various people in a few forms -
thus renounced the world and began his practice.in the form of a child, a beggar, an old man, a glowing
After a long time, he became Manjusri Bodhisattva.cloud or a bright shining light. The earliest known story
Who is Manjusri?of His appearance was to an Indian monk,
Gautama Buddha had two close assistants -Buddhapalita who made a trip to Wu Tai Shan in
Samanthabhadra on His right and Manjusri on His left.676CE in hope of seeing Manjusri. Upon reaching the
Manjusri had attained Buddhahood many times. Atmountain, Buddhapalita prostrated on the ground and
present He bears the title "Spiritual Buddha Whoprayed to Manjusri. When he got up on his feet again,
Joyfully Cares for the Jewels", and in the future (whichhe saw an old man approaching him. The old man
will be thousands of years to come) He will be theasked if Buddhapalita had brought along a certain
'Buddha Universally Revealed". It was stated in thescripture that can help ease the evil committed by
Lotus Sutra that Manjusri had trained and disciplinedBuddhists in China. He had not, and the old man told
many Bodhisattvas. The introductory chapter of Lotushim in order to see Manjusri, he had to return to India
Sutra stated that Gautama Buddha was once aand retrieve the scripture. Happy with gratitude,
disciple of Manjusri before He lived the life in which HeBuddhapalita bowed his head in respect and when he
became a Buddha.looked up, the old man had vanished. When he made
Manjusri - meaning "Gentle and Sweet Glory" is thehis second trip to Wu Tai Shan with the scriptures
most popular Buddha embodying transcendental(689CE) Manjusri revealed Himself to him again and
wisdom (full Sanskrit name is Manjusrikumara). Knownshowed him the mountain with its secrets.
as the royal prince of the Buddha's realm, He appearsSince then Manjusri appeared to many pilgrimages,
in various forms to release beings from their suffering.such as Tao-I who related his experience to emperor
Theravada Buddhism portrays Manjusri as a youthHsuan Tsung. The emperor was impressed and awed
seated upon a pale blue lotus which holds a sun andby the story that he funded the initial construction of
moon disc. The discs signify that He is supported bythe Golden Pavilion monastery on the mountain. The
blissful wisdom and loving compassion. He holds amonastery was completed by the end of the 8th
double-edged sword that severs ignorance in His rightcentury thanks to the efforts of an Indian monk,
hand, and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra to his heartAmoghavajra who received more funds from
in his left. His golden yellow image symbolizes wisdomemperor Tai Tsung. A Japanese monk named Ennin
and knowledge. Manjusri is adorned with 6 types ofstayed for over 2 months on Wu Tai Shan in 840 CE
ornaments (necklaces, anklets etc) which representsand recorded his wonderful experiences with the
his fulfillment of the Six Perfections - Generosity,manifestations of Manjusri.
Morality, Patience, Joyful Energy, Meditation andIn new texts discovered a few years later, it stated
Wisdom.that the Buddha had predicted that Manjusri, the God
Manjusri is often depicted seated on a green lion. Thisof Wisdom would reside at Wu Tai Shan. It is also
indicates that the wild mind, as wild as the king of thebelieved that He appeared during a time of darkness
jungle can only be calmed through meditation. Hisof Buddhism, where ignorance prevailed, thus causing
wisdom has indeed inspired many monks, practitionersendless suffering and wrong propaganda of the
and laymen to overcome all obstacles to attain peaceDharma. Hence by revealing Himself, Manjusri in a way
of mind. Some devotees consider Him the god ofrescued Buddhism from its decline with His Special
science and believe when He preaches the Law,Teaching deemed fitting for the circumstances at that
every demon is conquered and every shred of eviltime.
that might deceive mankind is dispersed.Manjusri will become Maitreya Buddha's teacher in
On hand to attend to Manjusri are the Fivefuture. Maitreya is slated to become the 5th Buddha to
Messengers and the Eight Youths. Each of themdescend upon Earth in this kalpa.
carries a page that sings His praise and virtues. Indeed,Praise for Manjusri
to the Mahayana Buddhists, Manjusri is relied upon to"Wonderful Auspicious" is replete with great kindness.
overcome ignorance and to attain the supremeMother of Enlightened One Throughout the Three
wisdom to be of the highest benefit to all beings.Periods of time.
Research and excavations in various parts of IndiaHis wisdom is beyond measurement.
and China showed that there were not manyHis left hand brandishes a sharp sword that severs all
followers of Manjusri before the 7th century. Figuresafflictions.
and texts recorded more of Gautama Buddha andAnd his right hand holds the blue lotus which reflects
Maitreya Buddha, who is believed to be the nextthe mark of His virtues,
Buddha to descend upon Earth (again, after thousandsA peacock and lion - spirit acts as His carriage.
of years). The famous Hsuan Tsang (7th century)Poisonous dragons and fierce beasts are subdued and
during his journeys noted many images and carvingsbecome pure and cool.
of Gautama and Maitreya Buddha. The only referanceThe Pure Youth with The Five Topknots - This is a
of Manjusri was a single shrine dedicated to Him atprovisional manifestation.
Manthuraa. This lack of details about Manjusri isOriginally, He is the Happy Treasury of the Thus Come
possibly because such figures were not veryOne.
distinguished symbolically at that time. Hsuan TsangHomage to Manjusri Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom,
also recorded more of popular Buddhas andwho dwells in the Golden World of Pure Cool
investigated only famous legends. However by theMountain."
end of the 8th century, there was a healthy ManjusriManjusri is known as 'Wen Pu'sa' in Chinese and
cult in China, thanks to a mountain called Wu Tai Shan'Monju' in Japan. The mantra to chant for Him is "Om
in which Manjusri is said to have appeared beforeArapachana Dhih".
common beings.Do you like this article? offers a free resource of
The Five-Terrace Mountain (Wu Tai Shan)articles regarding Feng Shui, applied Feng Shui,
In the Shanxi Province in China (near the borders ofPhilosophy, Religion & Chinese culture. To read
Hebei), there stands a magnificent mountain known asmore articles such as this one, click here.
'Wu Tai Shan'. This grand and majestic mountain withThis article is written by the editor of
5 flat-topped peaks (which brings the nameFengShuiTimes.com, Suan Tew and is reprinted by
Five-Terrace Mountain) rises about 3000m above seawith permission.
level. Today it is a very popular tourist and pilgrimage