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| Bodhisattva Manjushri in the form of Sita Manjughosa |
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| Thailand; Shrivijayan style (c. 7th - 14th century), late 8th century |
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| Copper alloy |
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| H. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm); W. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm) |
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| Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art |
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| 1979.082 |
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| The lotus held in the left hand of this image of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, has a book and sword resting atop it. These are Manjushri's traditional attributes, the objects that symbolize his character: the book represents Manjushri's role as the embodiment of transcendent wisdom while the sword is the weapon with which he cuts through ignorance. His right hand, which performs the gift-giving gesture (varada mudra), identifies this form of Manjushri as Sita Manjughosa ("White Gift-bestowing"). His conical hairstyle is adorned with both a crown and with five small images of seated Buddhas, which represent the Buddhas of the five directions. The four lions supporting the pedestal, although a standard element in Buddhist thrones, also represent the vehicle (vahana) associated with Manjushri. The pendant half-moon-shaped form on the front of the pedestal represents draped cloth. |
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