Manjushri Bodhisattva – Monju Bosatsu (Daiza Base is Shishi Lion)

An unsigned Imari, circa Meiji~Taisho Period, Buddhist depiction of Monju Bosatsu or Lord of wisdom, voice of the law. Guardian of people born in the Zodiac Year of the Rabbit (1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011). Monju is the personification of the Buddha's teachings, and hence Monju symbolizes wisdom and the enlightened mind. Monju is considered the wisest of the Bodhisattva, and thus acts as the Expounder of Buddhist Law. In excellent condition, no cracks or pertinent damages observed.

Monju was a disciple of the Historical Buddha, and represents wisdom, intelligence and willpower. In Mahayana traditions throughout Asia, Monju is the personification of the Buddha's teachings, and hence Monju symbolizes wisdom and the enlightened mind. Monju is considered the wisest of the Bodhisattva, and thus acts as the Voice (Expounder) of Buddhist Law. Monju enjoyed vast popularity in Asia for many centuries. But today in China and Japan, Monju's popularity has diminished somewhat among the common folk. Nonetheless, Monju is still counted as one of the most popular of all Mahayana divinities. In Japan, students pay homage to Monju in the hopes of passing school examinations and becoming gifted calligraphers.

Japanese sculptures of Monju often depict the deity sitting atop a roaring lion, which symbolizes the voice of Buddhist Law and the power of Buddhism to overcome all obstacles. Monju typically holds the Sutra of Wisdom in the left hand and a sharp sword in the right, which Monju uses to cut through illusion and shed light on the unenlightened mind. In some artwork, Monju carries a lotus flower and is sitting atop a Shishi (mythical lion).

In Theravada traditions, Monju corresponds to Shariputra, one of the ten disciples of Shaka Buddha (the Historical Buddha). Shariputra was considered one of the wisest of the ten disciples. In Mahayana traditions, Monju Bodhisattva supplants Shariputra, and is thus known as the "begetter of understanding." Monju appears prominently in the Manjusri Parinirvina Sutra, and is considered the father and mother of the Bodhisattva. Monju is often represented in artwork in India, Tibet, China, Japan, and Nepal -- by tradition, Monju founded Nepal upon his arrival from China. Monju's images appear only late in the sixth century AD in Central Asia and on a few Chinese stele associated with Vimalakirti (Japanese Yuima Koji).

Measurements: Height x Width x Depth = 30 x 22 x 12 cm

Shipping and Handling via EMS:
USA, Canada, Australia, Oceania. Middle East = $ 75
Europe, UK, Russia = $ 86