A FINE AND RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI Tibet, 14th/ 15th ct. H. 17,5 cm This classical bronze sculpture shows the "Bodhisattva of Wisdom" Manjushri, the embodiment of the infinite wisdom of Buddha. His attributes are a sword and a book. The book he holds on the lotus branch in his left hand represents Prajnaparamita, the Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom. It contains Buddha's most profound explanation of the ultimate nature of reality. The fully blossomed lotus, the seed stand and the bud, give an indication of the three times: Present, Past and Future. To meditate on Manjushri is to engage with the all-pervading insight as gained by the Buddha. The sword he wields with his right arm raised cuts through the veils of false ideas. It distinguishes between absolute and relative truth, how things seem to exist in a dependent way to us, and in an independent way, actually exist. Manjushri's sword offers protection from the fears that emanate from the karmic cycle of existence of the six realms of the wheel of life, and lead to unhappy states due to actions, according to cause and effect. The sword of knowledge also offers protection against complacency and indifference towards others, which are contrary to the motivation to achieve the welfare of those through compassion (bodhicitta). The palm of his left hand and the soles of his feet are adorned with mandala symbols, in keeping with his dignity as a cakravartin ('accomplished one'). He is enthroned in the diamond seat - with legs crossed - on a lunar photo, symbol of relative truth. He wears the triple crown, in front of his high tied-up hairstyle, and the sixfold adornment of the virtues: Rings on arms and legs - devotion, belt - morality, ear ornaments - patience, necklace - fortitude, crown - immersion, ash and brahma string - insight (prajña). The upper part of the body is unclothed, the hips and legs are covered with a richly punched dhoti. Bronze, copper inlays, dhoti decorated with ribbons and plastered flowers, remains of iconographic painting, turquoise; original closure plate with punched eightfold mandala. Old Bavarian private collection, acquired on 4.4.1968 from Schoettle Ostasiatica in Stuttgart (DM 950.-) Published: Cover illustration Schoettle Catalogue 1 Tibetica and no. 177, pp. 186-87 (no. 3144). Very minor wear, re-sealed