What's the difference between Manjushri and Samantabhadra?

What's the difference between Manjushri and Samantabhadra?

Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

Speaking of Buddhism, we naturally think of Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, both of which occupy a very important position in Buddhism.

Bodhisattva samantabhadra statue

Although they are all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they also have many similarities and differences. Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also have a lot in common. Now they are respected buddhas and bodhisattvas. The two of them occupy half of Buddhism. Their general characteristics are the same, that is, they are kind-hearted and everything is for the happiness of mankind. They will help mankind solve all kinds of difficulties through practice, and they only devote themselves to world peace and harmony.

Although Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva are mythical figures, we ordinary people may be a little convinced, but people who believe in Buddhism respect these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas very much, which is their belief in their hearts. They also believe in the existence of buddhas and bodhisattvas. We should naturally have respect for these buddhas and bodhisattvas, because they are kind and care for the people.

Of course, there will be many differences. First of all, Manjusri Bodhisattva and Pu Xian symbolize different things. Manjusri Bodhisattva symbolizes wisdom in learning and so on, while Samantabhadra Bodhisattva symbolizes inner goodness. Everything you have done in your life is good. You serve the people wholeheartedly and never get bored. Moreover, their Dojo is different and their mounts are different. The mountain where Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva are located is very famous in Buddhism, representing different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas respectively. Manjusri Bodhisattva's mount is a lion, which means that any demon can be subdued by the strength of the lion, while Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's mount is a white elephant, which means sincerity and hard work. These are some differences between Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

What kind of Buddha is Manjushri?

We know that there are many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, and they have their own characteristics, so they also have their own code names. And bodhisattvas also have various titles of buddhas. So what kind of Buddha is Manjusri Bodhisattva?

Portrait of Manjusri Bodhisattva

Manjusri Bodhisattva occupies a high position in Buddhism. The only thing we are familiar with is the worship of Manjusri Bodhisattva before various exams. It is said that Manjusri Bodhisattva will bless all students to get good grades in the exam. Having said that, I must know something about Manjusri Bodhisattva. Speaking of one-sidedness, Manjusri Bodhisattva mainly represents wisdom, so Manjusri Bodhisattva is called wisdom Buddha. Some people may wonder why Manjusri Bodhisattva is a wisdom Buddha, which is hard for anyone to explain. After all, this is a myth and history. Only by digging up historical records can we understand Manjusri's statement about wisdom. I think there are several aspects that can explain that Manjusri Bodhisattva is a wise Buddha.

First of all, it has something to do with the birth of Manjusri Bodhisattva, because Manjusri Bodhisattva will open his mouth to speak soon after his birth, which is a bit incredible to us, but Manjusri Bodhisattva can speak when he was born, which can fully explain the wisdom and mind Manjusri Bodhisattva has had since childhood. Therefore, it is normal to say that Manjusri Bodhisattva is a wisdom Buddha.

Manjusri Bodhisattva enlightened many Buddhas after becoming a Buddha, and this contribution is indelible. Therefore, after being passed down from generation to generation, Manjusri Bodhisattva is called the Wisdom Buddha, which also proves why many parents now worship Manjusri Bodhisattva before their children take exams. Because Manjushri is in charge of wisdom, parents will come to entrust their wishes to Manjushri. This can also confirm that Manjusri Bodhisattva is a wise Buddha.

Manjusri Bodhisattva Birthday

When it comes to birthdays, we are all familiar with them, but when it comes to the birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva, everyone has another idea. Because a Buddha of Manjusri Bodhisattva can't say the specific date of birth, how can it have a birthday?

Portrait of Manjusri Bodhisattva

This kind of thinking only conforms to our ordinary people's thinking, but we can make it clear by expanding it. Birthday has many meanings, not only the day of birth, but also Manjushri, because Manjushri is a mythical figure in Buddhist history, and none of us can know the real history. However, we remember that Manjusri Bodhisattva's birthday is on the fourth day of April. We can understand this birthday as the day when Manjusri Bodhisattva appeared in Buddhism and was officially named Buddha and Bodhisattva, so people commemorate this day as Manjusri Bodhisattva's birthday.

But there are also Buddhist books recording the birth of Manjusri Bodhisattva. The book says: Manjusri Bodhisattva was born on the fourth day of April, and there are many unconventional phenomena. When she was born, the whole house was like a lotus, and her body was still golden yellow. Besides, she was able to speak soon after she was born. These abnormal functions doomed Manjusri Bodhisattva's extraordinary life. Therefore, the birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva is given more significance on this day. Because of this, Manjusri Bodhisattva not only became the symbol of wisdom Buddha, but also the birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva became an important day in Buddhism.

Now the birthday of Manjusri Bodhisattva has become a big festival for Buddhists. Many Buddhists will commemorate the birth of Manjusri Bodhisattva in various ways on the fourth day of April every year. Although I don't know what effect this has, this kind of behavior is the good hope of Buddhists for Manjushri.

The Story of Manjusri Bodhisattva

As a mythical figure in Buddhism, Manjushri must have many stories about Manjushri. In the past, there were many stories about Manjusri Bodhisattva, all of which were portrayal of Manjusri Bodhisattva.

? Now, a story about Manjusri Bodhisattva happened in the Song Dynasty. An official in the imperial court usually loves and cares about the people and is very kind. One night, the official's wife dreamed that the moonlight shone into her arms at night. Soon, his wife became pregnant and gave birth to a son. This son is different. He could talk when he was born. This feature is the same as when Manjusri Bodhisattva was born. I think this child should have some characteristics of Manjusri Bodhisattva at this time. The child surprised and delighted his parents. Before long, the child asked his parents to prepare meals, saying that Bodhisattva seven buddha would come to his house as a guest, and he did. One of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also said that they were South Indians and came to see this strange little boy. The child had a good chat with seven buddha Bodhisattva. After all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas left, the children told their parents that seven buddha Bodhisattvas had just come to our home to become immortals. The child can't speak Buddhist language since he was a child. He became a monk at the age of fifteen and began to do all kinds of good deeds everywhere. He has all kinds of special functions, not an ordinary monk. Because this child is suspected of reincarnation of Manjusri Bodhisattva. This story of Manjusri Bodhisattva, whether true or false, shows people's infinite good wishes for Manjusri Bodhisattva, and also shows Manjusri Bodhisattva's compassion and kindness.

Manjusri bodhisattva statue

In Buddhism, Manjusri Bodhisattva is also a high-ranking bodhisattva. We know Manjusri Bodhisattva, and we have also seen the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva in the Buddhist holy land, but have we carefully understood what Manjusri Bodhisattva looks like? We all need to know more about the dress and manners of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Of course, these are not difficult to understand, as can be seen from the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva.

Manjusri bodhisattva statue

When I first saw the statue of Manjushri, I felt the kindness and compassion of Manjushri. Look carefully, the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva is surrounded by glittering gold, which I think is a symbol of Manjusri Bodhisattva's status. If you look closely at Manjusri Bodhisattva, you will find five steamed stuffed buns on the top of your head, all of which are symbols of wisdom and talent. They represent five different kinds of wisdom. Then you will see a sword on Manjushri's right hand. This sword is no ordinary sword. The sword in Manjusri Bodhisattva's hand can not only drive away unhappiness, but also bring good luck. Of course, there is another saying that it is a representative of wisdom. Holding the sword of wisdom, you are not afraid to travel all over the world. Manjusri Bodhisattva is like holding a sword in the right hand and a lotus in the left. There is also a scripture on the lotus, which symbolizes that Manjusri Bodhisattva spreads wisdom to mankind and also symbolizes the expression of Manjusri Bodhisattva's own wisdom. Then I saw the mount of Manjusri Bodhisattva, which gave people the intuition that it was very powerful and invincible without it. Eyes give people a sense of seriousness and compassion, which matches the wisdom and compassion of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Finally, the base is the lotus, because the lotus itself is a symbol of purity. This is the overall feature of Manjusri Bodhisattva.