Manjushri is revered as the embodiment of wisdom, an essential quality forattaining Buddhahood. According to Buddhist tradition, Manjushri was once theking of Kamjung Sangpo, who renounced his kingdom and worldly desires toembark on the path of enlightenment. Through receiving the bodhisattva vows,he cultivated the awakening mind and eventually attained completeenlightenment, becoming the Lord of Wisdom that we know today.
The sword in his righthand represents the knowledge that cuts through ignorance, clearing the mindsof unenlightened beings. in his left hand, he holds a sutra, representing thesacred teachings that instill wisdom and ignite the journey toward omniscience.
Surrounding Manjushri are flowers, symbolizing his purity. just as a floweremerges untainted from the mud, Manjushri is free from the faults he oncecarried as an ordinary being. He is often depicted in a triad with Avalokiteshvaraand Vajrapani, known as Rigsum Gonpo, embodying the essential qualities forenlightenment:compassion,wisdom,and power.