Monju Bosatsu (Japanese Manjushri)

[Positive Change]

Monju Iconography in Japan

Monju comes in many forms throughout Asia. In Japan, Monju is often portrayed with the Sutra of Wisdom in the left hand, a sword in the right hand to cut through illusion (to shed light on the unenlightened mind, to disperse the clouds of ignorance), and sitting atop a roaring lion, which symbolizes the voice of Buddhist Law and the power of Buddhism to overcome all obstacles. This riding-lion form is also known as the Kishi Monju Bosatsu in Japan. Monju is frequently represented with five curls or knots (chignons) of hair, indicating the five-terraced mountain (Ch. = Wutaishan, Jp. = Godaisan) in China where Monju is venerated, or the Fivefold Wisdom of Dainichi Buddha, which corresponds to the five kinds of wisdom important to the Shingon sect, which in turn relates to the five elements of earth, water, fire, air (wind), and space (ether). Indeed, in Japan's Esoteric sects, Monju appears in both the Womb World Mandala (Jp. = Taiz?kai) and the Diamond World Mandala (Jp. = Kong?kai).

Monju is counted among the 16 Great Bodhisattva and the 13 Deities of the Shingon School. In the latter grouping, Monju presides over the funeral service held on the 21st day after one's death. Other forms of Monju are based on the number of syllables (one, five, six, or eight) in the specific mantra being chanted to Monju. The single-sound mantra, for example, is said to protect against nightmares and natural disasters. There are other forms as well, those based on the number of hair knots (one, five, six, or eight), with each providing protection against different dangers.

Japanese Monk Gyoki
Gy?ki (+668-749) descended from from Korean immigrants.

Images of Monju were introduced into Japan by Chinese monks who, during a voyage to Wutaishan, learned that Manjusri was reincarnated in the person of the Japanese monk Gyoki, and so went to Nara in 736. One of these Chinese monks, Bodhisena (+704-760), succeeded Gyoki as director of the Buddhist community of the Todai-ji Temple (Nara) in 751 or 752. In turn, another monk named Ennin (Tendai sect) travelled to China to Mount Wutai in the year 840, during a journey that lasted nine years from 838 to 847, and brought back scriptures and images of Monju Bodhisattva.

[Positive Change]

More images of Monju Bosatsu... It is interesting to note the similarities even though coming from culturally different backgrounds.

[thaimonk]

Can anyone help? I would like to order a statue of this Japanese Manjushri. Where Can I order?

[Ensapa]

the Japanese/Chinese/Korean representation of Manjushri is interesting as he is depicted riding a shishi/lion which actually, looks like a snow lion and the Japanese Manjushri here is even more interesting as he has 4 other messengers. the lion and the messengers really does reminiscent of Dorje Shugden.

Four Companions, Shikenzoku
In artwork, Monju is sometimes accompanied by four attendants (Shikenzoku ), and this form is known as the Monju Goson ? (lit. = Monju Quintet). The composition of the four attendants sometimes differs. For example, the administrators of the Kishi Monju Quintet in Iwate Prefecture list one of the four as Daiseija-nin ?, replacing the more common Saish? R?nin.

Zenzai D?ji ? (Skt. = Sudhana ?re??hid?raka), a youth who took a pilgrimage to 53 places wherein he met 55 saints (as described in the Kegonky? Sutra ).
King of Khotan (Jp. = Utenn? or ; Skt. = King Udayana)
Elderly Saish? R?nin or Saish? R?jin ?; sometimes given as Daiseija-nin ?
Monk Buddhapari (Jp. = Butsudahari or Butsudahari Sanz? ?; Skt. = Buddhap?li Tri-pi?aka)

In addition, he also has 8 great youths counted in his entourage. Aint that familiar?

Eight Great Youths, Hachidai D?ji ?
Text Courtesy of JAANUS. Literally "Eight Great Youths." Eight attendants of either Monju Bosatsu or, more commonly, Fud? My?-?. The eight attendants of Monju (Monju Hachidai D?ji ) are mentioned in several texts, and they appear in the Monju-in of the Taiz?kai Mandara . Their names are:

K?m? ?? (Skt: Jaliniplabha)
H?kan ?? (Skt: Ratnamukuta)
Mukuk? ?? (Skt: Vimalaprabha)
Keishini (Skt: Kesini)
Ubakeishini ?? (Skt: Upakesini)
Shittara (Skt: Citra)
Jie ?? (Skt: Vasumati)
Ch?sh? ?? (Skt: Akarsani)

[Big Uncle]

@Positive Change and @Thaimonk.

I found a similar one Monju Bosatsu (as displayed by Positive Change) in the Tokyo National Museum website. It is beautiful and exquisite and so it is a real museum piece that may be one of a kind. Perhaps, we can look at replicas of this old statue. Anyway, I can't seem to embed the image from the website and so I leave a link to the site here:-

http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100434/006?word=&d_lang=en&s_lang=en&class=3&title=&c_e=&region=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=25&num=8&mode=detail&century=

Here's the description from the museum site:-

Important Cultural Property
By K?en
5 statues
(Some of the works of theManjushri (Monju Bosatsu) on a lion, and standing statues of attendants )
Wood, colored, beaded eyes
Manjushri: total H193.7, statue H46.1, king of Khotan: statue H69.5, Sudhana: statue H46.2, Taish? R
Kamakura period/Bunnei 10 (1273)
Formerly kept in K?fuku-ji Temple
Tokyo National Museum
C-1854

According to a note, which says that these images were created by Buddhist sculptor Koen, written on the head of the lion on which Monju (Manjusri) Bodhisattva sits and documents that are owned separately, from the images, by Daitokyu Kinen Bunko and others, it is clear that these images were created in 1273 by Koen (1207 - ?), a sculptor of Buddhist images, who was a successor to Tankei. The person who made the votive offering for the creation of these images was Gyogen, a priest of Kofukuji and these five images were enshrined as the principal images of worship at Kangakuin, which was established at Kofukuji Temple in 1285, twelve years after the creation.

This group of images is called Godaisan Monju or Tokai Monju and based on the icons that emerged from the Godaisan Faith, faith in the holy mountain (Godaisan) of Monju Bodhisattva, in China. However, the representation of crossing the sea is unique to Japan. In these images, it is represented by sea waves, which are engraved on the upper surface of the pedestal frame. The five topknots on the head of Monju Bodhisattva and its boy-like appearance correspond to the description of "child-like appearance" written in sutras and show that the wisdom of Monju is as pure as that of a child. The child image among followers is called Zenzai Doshi. In the Kegon Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra), he is described as a child who visited 53 virtuous wisdoms and practiced and completed all austerities required to become a Bodhisattva.

[icy]

Thaimonk, find a good artisan and duplicate these statues because they are extremely rare.  It is possible to duplicate I am sure.  We can learn from the Japanese to be good 'copycats'.

[christine V]

Dear Positive Change,

Thank you for sharing about Manjushri in Japan.
The photos that you posted
In the middle known as Kishi Monju ? atop shishi lion and served by Four Attendants (Shikenzoku). Wood, Central Monju H = 70.6 cm, 12th century. Ch?sonji Temple (Iwate Prefecture) surrounded by Zenzai D?ji ? 56.5cm, Utenn? /??? 75.7cm, Butsudahari ? 69.9cm, Daiseija-nin ? 74.8cm.
This is Supposedly the oldest extant statues of Monju & the Four.
Source : See Iwate Cultural Heritage for details. Photo scanned from Japanese magazine ??, No. 35, 2002

Other than that Manjushri in Japan (Monju) is also known as :-
- Monju is a deity of the kitchen or dining halls in Japan's Tendai ?? sect and known as S?gy? Monju ?
- the deity of meditation halls in some Zen temples, wherein the diety is known as Sh?s? Monju ?

Monju in Japan was associated with a Japanese monk Gy?ki ??.  Gy?ki (+668-749) descended from from Korean immigrants. Among the Japanese's people he became known as the Bodhisattva Gy?ki (Gy?ki Bosatsu). He became the first person in Japan to be awarded the title of Dai-sojo ; the Great Priest.
Gyoki (668-749 AD) was born in Osaka with Korean background and took Buddhist vows at age 15. 
He quit the job in 704 at age 36 to propagate Buddhism for salvation of the suffering people and to practice philanthropy, making a pilgrimage mostly in Osaka and Nara areas. Not only did he give a hand to the sick, the poor and many others in distress, he also contributed to social welfare building roads, bridges, irrigation reservoirs and other civil engineering, and helped construct a number of temples.
Back at the time, Emperor Shomu (701-756) was reigning Japan and he had a plan to construct a great Buddha statue in Nara. The project was so huge that state funds alone were not enough to cover the total cost. The emperor asked Priest Gyoki to help raise funds. Accepting the emperor's request, Priest Gyoki immediately began fund-raising campaigns. Thanks to his fame and philanthropic activities, enough alms were collected soon afterward, and in 752 casting the Great Buddha statue we see today at Todaiji was completed. Unfortunately, he had passed away just before the consecrating ceremony for the statue took place.
Source : http://ww2.coastal.edu/rgreen/gyoki.htm

[samayakeeper]

the Japanese/Chinese/Korean representation of Manjushri is interesting as he is depicted riding a shishi/lion which actually, looks like a snow lion and the Japanese Manjushri here is even more interesting as he has 4 other messengers. the lion and the messengers really does reminiscent of Dorje Shugden.

Four Companions, Shikenzoku
In artwork, Monju is sometimes accompanied by four attendants (Shikenzoku ), and this form is known as the Monju Goson ? (lit. = Monju Quintet). The composition of the four attendants sometimes differs. For example, the administrators of the Kishi Monju Quintet in Iwate Prefecture list one of the four as Daiseija-nin ?, replacing the more common Saish? R?nin.

Zenzai D?ji ? (Skt. = Sudhana ?re??hid?raka), a youth who took a pilgrimage to 53 places wherein he met 55 saints (as described in the Kegonky? Sutra ).
King of Khotan (Jp. = Utenn? or ; Skt. = King Udayana)
Elderly Saish? R?nin or Saish? R?jin ?; sometimes given as Daiseija-nin ?
Monk Buddhapari (Jp. = Butsudahari or Butsudahari Sanz? ?; Skt. = Buddhap?li Tri-pi?aka)

In addition, he also has 8 great youths counted in his entourage. Aint that familiar?

Eight Great Youths, Hachidai D?ji ?
Text Courtesy of JAANUS. Literally "Eight Great Youths." Eight attendants of either Monju Bosatsu or, more commonly, Fud? My?-?. The eight attendants of Monju (Monju Hachidai D?ji ) are mentioned in several texts, and they appear in the Monju-in of the Taiz?kai Mandara . Their names are:

K?m? ?? (Skt: Jaliniplabha)
H?kan ?? (Skt: Ratnamukuta)
Mukuk? ?? (Skt: Vimalaprabha)
Keishini (Skt: Kesini)
Ubakeishini ?? (Skt: Upakesini)
Shittara (Skt: Citra)
Jie ?? (Skt: Vasumati)
Ch?sh? ?? (Skt: Akarsani)

Yes, interesting and familiar but not surprising since they are one. These images shown here are very well done, old they may be. I am quite sure they may be replicated like the ones found here:

https://www.google.com.my/search?q=monju+bosatsu+statue&rlz=1C1RNKB_enMY485MY486&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rGOGUZmZIdHKrAfcmIDwDw&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=699

[Q]

Thank you for this post and the history behind Monju Bosatsu.

I was aware that Manjushri is very well loved in China (WuTai Shan) and also well known in Tibetan tradition of Buddhism... It's actually my first time knowing about Manjushri in the Japanese tradition. I know that Kuan Yin/Chenrezig has a Japanese version in Japanese Buddhism, however have not heard of Manjushri before.

Apparently, Monju Bodhisattva is very famous even in modern times... especially to students who will pay homage to Manju Bodhisattva in order to pass examinations.

The pictures are excellent. I Googled for some explanation on the iconography to see if it was similar to the Tibetan tradition, thought i'd share the results here:
Description Of Form
Mañjusri Bodhisattva (Monju) holds in his left hand a sutra by which he dispenses wisdom to people, and in his right hand holds a sword for cutting off delusion. He sometimes rides on a lion, which is called the king of a hundred animals, and this expresses how he lives grandly with a powerful and correct wisdom.

Purpose and Vow
There is an old saying that the wisdom of Mañjusri (Monju) lies in putting together three heads, which are better than one. The figure of Mañjusrii (Monju) Bodhisattva is greatly endowed with wisdom, and in his right hand he holds the scriptures that confer that wisdom, while he also holds a sword that can cut off delusion. Bodhisattva refers to a living person who seeks enlightenment. In reality, the Bodhisattva practices Buddhism in society and is a buddha that acts on behalf of the Nyorai in saving people. Mañjusri (Monju) Bodhisattva cuts off the mistaken ideas of the world as well as evil thoughts and actions, corrects the ignorance and delusions of people, dispenses true wisdom, and delivers joy to human society.

Monju Bosatsu is also apparently very well integrated practice into Japanese society and lifestyle. Here's a few occasions where Monju Bosatsu is payed homage to by many Japanese people:

• Monju is a deity of the kitchen or dining halls in Japan's Tendai ?? sect and known as S?gy? Monju ?; also see our site page about Japan's various kitchen deities.
• Monju is the deity of meditation halls in some Zen temples, wherein the diety is known as Sh?s? Monju ?.</li>
  
• Associated with Japanese monk Gy?ki ??
• Associated with Yuima ?? (Skt. = Vimalakirti), an Indian Buddhist layman who is visited by Monju; the two have a conversation, and Yuima displays a superior understanding of Mahayana principles; their conversation was a popular theme in Japanese sculpture and painting. 
• Portrayed sometimes as a youth; represents "eternal youth"
• Served by five messengers (Monju Goshisha ??) and eight young attendants (Hachidai D?ji ); often depicted in art in the Monju Gosonz? ?? (lit. Monju Quintet), composed of Monju and four attendants (Shikenzoku ). Well-known extant statues are housed at Monjuin and Saidaiji (both in Nara).
• Appears in popular art form known as the Shaka Triad (Shaka Sanzon ?), with Historical Buddha positioned in the center, with Monju at left and Fugen at right
• Often depicted with five curls in hair (sometimes with one, three, six, or eight). The five symbolize the five wisdom peaks ?? of China's Mt. Wutaish?n (also known as Q?ngliáng Sh?n ; Jp. Godaisan), Monju's holy mountain in China. It is a popular pilgrimage site even today. Gokei Monju Bosatsu means Monju with Five Topknots (or five chignon). An excellent extant example is located at H?ry?ji Temple in Nara. See here for Chignon details.
• In Japan, often depicted holding the sword of wisdom in right hand (to cut through illusion and shed light on the unenlightened mind) and sitting atop a roaring lion, which symbolizes the voice of Buddhist Law and the power of Buddhism to overcome all obstacles. Monju's left hand often holds a sutra representing the Hannyaky? (Perfection of Wisdom Sutra; Skt = Prajnaparamita S?tra) or a blue lotus. Other artwork shows Monju riding a peacock or sitting on a white lotus.
• Monju's cult was introduced to Japan by Ennin ?? (794-864), a Japanese monk who visited Wutaishan during his travels in China between 838 and 847.
• Appears in both the Womb World Mandala (Jp. = Taiz?kai) and Diamond World Mandala (Jp. = Kong?kai) of Japan's esoteric sects. In the Taiz?kai (Skt. Garbhadh?tu), Monju appears in the Monju-in section holding a lotus surmounted with a three-pronged vajra in left hand, and also in the central Ch?dai Hachiy?-in ?? section holding a sutra in right hand and a lotus surmounted with a five-pronged vajra in the left. In the Kong?kai Mandala (Skt. Vajradhatu), Monju is identified with Kong?ri (Skt. Vajratiksna), one of 16 Great Bodhisattva.
• Appears also in artwork known as the Tokai Monjuz? ?? or Monju Tokai-zu ?? (lit. = Monju Crossing the Sea), in which Monju and entourage are shown on clouds crossing the sea in the direction of Wutaishan. Such a painting (a national treasure) from the Kamakura era is housed at Daigoji in Kyoto.

[Ensapa]

Yes, interesting and familiar but not surprising since they are one. These images shown here are very well done, old they may be. I am quite sure they may be replicated like the ones found here:

https://www.google.com.my/search?q=monju+bosatsu+statue&rlz=1C1RNKB_enMY485MY486&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rGOGUZmZIdHKrAfcmIDwDw&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=699

It is yet another proof that Dorje Shugden is indeed Manjushri and that there is no two ways around it, but it is sad that many people still choose to not see that and instead choose to believe in the lies of the CTA. But yes, the statue is very well done and reminds me a lot of Dorje Shugden no matter what anyone wants to say. To me it just reaffirms the proof that Dorje Shugden is Manjushri and increases my faith in Dorje Shugden even more. Dorje Shugden is indeed Manjushri in protector form!

[Rinchen]

It is just really interesting how Monju Bosatsu and entourage looks like Dorje Shugden together with Namkar Barzin, one of the eight fully ordained monks, one of the nine mothers, and one of the ten youthful and wrathful deities. Like how Monju Bosatsu is riding on a lion, looks like Dorje Shugden riding on a snow lion and so forth.

Through this it shows that the practices of Manjushri is being spread out to many places around the world, the only difference is the name that we have for the Buddha. Once again, through this we can see the similarities to Dorje Shugden, showing that Dorje Shugden is indeed an enlightened protector.