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Ërya
Maµju¿r¢
Collection:
Central Institute of Buddhist
Studies,
Chaoglamsar, Leh (Ladakh)
School
of art: Sman-bris
20th
century
Maµju¿r¢
He
is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. According to one
tradition, he attained perfect enlightenment countless aeons attained
back. He purposefully descended to the world as a Bodhisattva for the
welfare of all sentient beings. He was one of the eight chief disciples of
Lord Á¡kyamuni who used to
raise questions concerning the emptiness for the benefit of other
listeners. The Buddhists believe that he is the sole deity of wisdom who
blesses the devotees to sharpen their memory and intellect. As a result, a
devotee can penetrate the vast and profound meanings of the Buddha's
teachings. Hence the trainees pray and recite b¢ja mantras of Maµju¿r¢.
Without the blessings of Maµju¿r¢, no body can develop the realization
of the emptiness.
This Thankas is the peaceful form of Maµju¿r¢. His right hand
holds the sword of wisdom of emptiness for destroying ignorance, the root
cause of the sufferings. His left hand holds a lotus flower on which the
book of transcendental wisdom is placed. He is adorned with rich and
precious ornaments and diadem. At the four corners, four different
manifestations of Maµju¿r¢ are depicted.
