Description

Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is believed to reside on the sacred mountain Wutaishan. White Manjushri corresponds to the form of Manjushri that inhabits Wutaishan’s southern terrace, where he is called Jnanasattva. His peak is made of semiprecious stones and is associated with the realm of the Buddha Ratnasambhava. Here he is depicted as an eight-year-old youth, white, like the autumn moon, with his hair tied into five tufts. The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Prajnaparamita Sutra) is supported by an utpala blossom at his left shoulder. As described in early liturgical texts, below the deity’s lotus throne a pair of elephants plays in the water.

The Tibetan painter’s choices of color create a remarkable effect in this painting. The deep blue of the sky combined with the soft warm orange of the nimbus overlaid with fine lines of gold contrasts with the cool luminous white of the bodhisattva’s body, causing it to shine forth like moonlight, just as he is described in his liturgy.