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