Manjushri Statue, Miniature, 3 cm

This small statue depicts Manjushri, Jamphelyang in Tibetan, the bodhisattva of wisdom. It is handcrafted from brass in Nepal. Seated in the lotus posture, he raises the sword of wisdom above his head with his right hand, while his left holds before his heart the stem of a lotus that opens at his shoulder. To learn how to give a statue a fitting place, read our article The Tibetan Home Altar.

The figure fits in the palm of your hand and also finds a place on a desk or a narrow shelf. It accompanies you in study and work as a quiet reminder of clarity and insight.

Manjushri, Jamphelyang in Tibetan, is the bodhisattva of wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism. He embodies the insight that sees things as they are. In Tibet he is especially revered by students and scholars, and many recite his mantra Om A Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih before studying.

His attributes carry this meaning. The raised sword in his right hand stands for the wisdom that cuts through ignorance and confusion. His left hand holds before his heart the stem of a lotus. According to tradition, it bears the book of perfect wisdom (Prajnaparamita). Crown and jewellery mark him as a bodhisattva, and the lotus posture stands for the collected, calm mind.

Place the statue somewhere clean and raised, for example on your home altar, a shelf or the desk where you study or work. Its size also makes it suitable for a small travel altar. Before the statue you can recite Manjushri's mantra or pause for a moment before an exam or a demanding task.

We sell our statues unconsecrated. Even a small statue can be consecrated by monks or lamas at a Buddhist centre.

Material

brass

Making

by hand in Nepal

Height

approx. 3 cm

Width

approx. 2 cm

Depth

approx. 1 cm

Weight

approx. 10 g

Figure

in lotus posture on a lotus base

Attributes

sword and lotus

Base

solid, cannot be opened

As each piece is made by hand, slight variations are possible.

Remove dust with a soft, dry brush or cloth. Avoid water and harsh cleaning products. Brass darkens slightly over time, which is part of the material. Lift the figure by its base, not by the raised sword. As the image of a bodhisattva, by Tibetan custom it belongs not on the floor but in a clean, raised place.