Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju Bosatsu)

Accession Number
2006/2.10

Title
Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju Bosatsu)

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
17th century

Medium & Support
ink and color on paper

Dimensions
44 11/16 in. x 10 1/4 in. ( 113.5 cm x 26 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing

Label copy
Recent Acquisitions Part II
March 31-August 5, 2012
Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju Bosatsu)
Japan
Edo Period (1615–1868)
17th century
Hanging scroll, ink, and color on paper
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing, 2006/2.10

Subject matter
One of the most popular bodhisattvas in Japan, Monju (Sanskrit Mañjuśrī) was venerated as the bodhisattva of wisdom. Believed to be a disciple of the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni), Monju represented the enlightened mind and the teachings of the Buddha. Monju’s iconography speaks to his close association with wisdom and Buddhist teachings: the vajra sword represents cutting through the ignorance and illusions of the unenlightened mind, while the scroll is the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Japanese: Hannya-kyō; Sanskrit: Prajñāpāramitā sūtra). Monju’s typical mount of a lion, included in this image as a smaller attribute is symbolic of Buddhism’s ability to overcome obstacles through the strength of its voice. Monju is also directly associated with Yuima (Sanskrit: Vimalakīrti), a layman with a deep understanding of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. The sutra Yuima-kyō tells of a debate between Monju and Yuima where the latter demonstrates his greater understanding of Buddhism’s teachings.

Physical Description
This hanging scroll depicts Monju (Sanskrit: Mañjuśrī), the bodhisattva of wisdom, seated on a lotus pedestal, holding his typical attributes of a vajra sword and a scroll. His typical lion mount is depicted underneath the base of lotus surrounded by peonies.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Japanese Buddhism
bodhisattvas
hanging scrolls
ink

2 Related Resources

"Japan", Gender, etc.
(Part of: body, physicality and form; mod/contemporary religious imagery (Asia Galleries Winter 2022 DRAFT))

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved