The Royal Prince of Buddha's Realm

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