The Royal Prince of Buddha's Realm

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