Bodhisattva Manjushri and Zanabazar (1635–1723)

Abstract

A series of articles on various aspects of the work by the great Buddhist master Gombodorjiin Zanabazar (1635–1723), allows the reconstruction of the image of the wisdom deity Manjushri. In the Buddhist pantheon Manjushri belongs to the rank of bodhisattvas, the enlightened beings who have set themselves the highest altruistic goal — to help all living beings until they all achieve Buddhahood. The acquisition of knowledge and wisdom is considered the main thing in the practice of Buddhists. Therefore, the cult image of Manjushri is one of the most widespread. The bodhisattva Manjushri also occupies a prominent place in the work of Zanabazar; in this work, there are about a dozen identified images, which are preserved in various museum and private collections in Mongolia, Russia and China. Among these works, there are, indeed, no masterpieces of the highest rank, which include, for example, the Tathagatas of the Five Kinds and the White Tara. Nevertheless, they deserve special attention because they bear the main features of the Zanabazar’s artistic style. For the first time, the article offers an all-encompassing description of all Manjushri images by Zanabazar and his school.