Audio 0004 English
Amitabha Buddha! Hello everyone, welcome to the Eastern Platform of Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada. Here, we venerate Manjushri Bodhisattva, the embodiment of wisdom in the east.
Looking down from the Eastern Platform, the view is expansive, revealing majestic temples nestled amidst scenic landscapes, with tranquil lakes and shadowy pagodas. So, when was the consecration of the wise Manjushri Bodhisattva on the Eastern Platform? What is the exceptional story behind its inception?
On the morning of March 28, 2017, after more than five years of planning and crafting, followed by over a month of sea voyage and twelve hours of unloading, the bronze statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva, donated by Venerable Miaojiang from Wutai Shan in China, was finally unveiled to the public at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada.
The donated Manjushri Bodhisattva statues from Wutai Shan in China are relocated on the Five Platforms at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada: Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform, Wisdom Manjushri on the Southern Platform, Child Manjushri on the Central Platform, Lion Manjushri on the Western Platform, and Pure Manjushri on the Northern Platform. The bronze statue of Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform stands at a net height of 9.99 meters, with a total height of 13 meters including the base. This form of Manjushri is known as the Four-Armed Manjushri. He wears a five-leaved crown and has a boat-shaped aureole behind him, which is a symbol of enlightenment. His first right hand holds a sword symbolizing wisdom that cuts through all ignorance and afflictions, while the second right hand holds an arrow. His first left hand holds a lotus flower with the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra upon it, and the second left hand holds a bow. He is seated in a double lotus posture on a double-tiered inverted lotus pedestal. Below the lotus pedestal is a square base adorned with intertwined dragons and lotus motifs. Four guardian vajra warriors, armoured and fierce-looking, protect the statue.
Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform corresponds to the "A" syllable in the "Oṃ Ā ra pa tsa na dhīḥ" mantra of Manjushri, representing the eastern vajra family. If one speaks of Pure Land incarnations, the Eastern Platform is Manjushri's realm of wisdom, focused on pacification. Practitioners can choose different aspects of practice based on their personal inclinations or the great four endeavours: pacification, increase, bosom, and subjugation, receiving swift blessings.
The Eastern Platform is also known as the abode of wisdom. In various Buddhist scriptures, Manjushri Bodhisattva's wisdom is categorized into seven types: extensive wisdom, profound wisdom, discerning wisdom, swift wisdom, eloquent wisdom, debating wisdom, and lecturing wisdom. Venerating Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform yields extensive merits and benefits. Firstly, it enhances memory, writing skills, eloquence, and the ability to teach, analyze, and understand matters deeply, leading to profound wisdom. Secondly, it nurtures Bodhichitta, compassion, and the wisdom to engage in practices such as generosity, proper conduct, tolerance, diligence, and meditation. It blesses children with intelligence and success in their studies.
This is the story of the Eastern Platform.
Amitabha Buddha! Hello everyone, welcome to the Eastern Platform of Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada. Here, we venerate Manjushri Bodhisattva, the embodiment of wisdom in the east.
Looking down from the Eastern Platform, the view is expansive, revealing majestic temples nestled amidst scenic landscapes, with tranquil lakes and shadowy pagodas. So, when was the consecration of the wise Manjushri Bodhisattva on the Eastern Platform? What is the exceptional story behind its inception?
On the morning of March 28, 2017, after more than five years of planning and crafting, followed by over a month of sea voyage and twelve hours of unloading, the bronze statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva, donated by Venerable Miaojiang from Wutai Shan in China, was finally unveiled to the public at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada.
The donated Manjushri Bodhisattva statues from Wutai Shan in China are relocated on the Five Platforms at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada: Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform, Wisdom Manjushri on the Southern Platform, Child Manjushri on the Central Platform, Lion Manjushri on the Western Platform, and Pure Manjushri on the Northern Platform. The bronze statue of Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform stands at a net height of 9.99 meters, with a total height of 13 meters including the base. This form of Manjushri is known as the Four-Armed Manjushri. He wears a five-leaved crown and has a boat-shaped aureole behind him, which is a symbol of enlightenment. His first right hand holds a sword symbolizing wisdom that cuts through all ignorance and afflictions, while the second right hand holds an arrow. His first left hand holds a lotus flower with the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra upon it, and the second left hand holds a bow. He is seated in a double lotus posture on a double-tiered inverted lotus pedestal. Below the lotus pedestal is a square base adorned with intertwined dragons and lotus motifs. Four guardian vajra warriors, armoured and fierce-looking, protect the statue.
Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform corresponds to the "A" syllable in the "Oṃ Ā ra pa tsa na dhīḥ" mantra of Manjushri, representing the eastern vajra family. If one speaks of Pure Land incarnations, the Eastern Platform is Manjushri's realm of wisdom, focused on pacification. Practitioners can choose different aspects of practice based on their personal inclinations or the great four endeavours: pacification, increase, bosom, and subjugation, receiving swift blessings.
The Eastern Platform is also known as the abode of wisdom. In various Buddhist scriptures, Manjushri Bodhisattva's wisdom is categorized into seven types: extensive wisdom, profound wisdom, discerning wisdom, swift wisdom, eloquent wisdom, debating wisdom, and lecturing wisdom. Venerating Wise Manjushri on the Eastern Platform yields extensive merits and benefits. Firstly, it enhances memory, writing skills, eloquence, and the ability to teach, analyze, and understand matters deeply, leading to profound wisdom. Secondly, it nurtures Bodhichitta, compassion, and the wisdom to engage in practices such as generosity, proper conduct, tolerance, diligence, and meditation. It blesses children with intelligence and success in their studies.
This is the story of the Eastern Platform.