Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī in the Buddhist literature of Kathmandu Valley
Item abstract only
Author
Shakya, Miroj See all items with this value
Date
2011
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies
Committee
Guruge, Ananda W. P.
Long, J. Bruce
Lancaster, Lewis R.
Abstract
Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī is renowned as the prince of the Buddhist Dharma, because of his profound wisdom. Mañjuśrī is depicted as holding a flaming sword of wisdom in his right hand and the stem of a lotus flower surmounted by the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in his left hand. All the attributes of Mañjuśrī point to the wisdom that he personifies. Mañjuśrī is mentioned in many of the philosophical discourses attributed to the Buddha Śākyamuni in the Mahāyāna Sūtras. Because of his deeds, he is an immensely popular and important Bodhisattva in East and South Asia.
In Newar Buddhism, the texts known as the Nine Dharmas (Nava Vaipulya Sūtras) are still being worshipped in Nepal today. They are not considered as the canon of a particular lineage or sect, but their role is similar to that of a canon in Newar Buddhism. In these Nine Dharmas, Mañjuśrī is depicted in a major and significant role. In early Mahāyāna texts on the Perfection of Wisdom like Astasāhasrikā and Pañcavimsatisāhasrikā , Mañjuśrī's name occurs occasionally, but no prominent role is assigned to him. More specific mention is made of him in the Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in the Prajñāpāramitā literature, in the Saddharmapundarīka Sūtra, and in the Gandavyūha Sūtra (Avatamsaka Sūtra). This thesis will discuss Mañjuśrī's role in these three Sūtras. In Nepal, the cult of Mañjuśrī has influenced Buddhist practices in many different ways. Mañjuśrī is portrayed as the founder of the Kathmandu Valley in the Svayambhū Purāna, where he is shown playing a vital role in initiating the Nepalese Buddhist tradition. The Svayambhū Purāna , which is believed to be one of the most important texts attributed to the Buddha Śākyamuni, focuses on the origin of the Svayambhū Stūpa and the formation of the Kathmandu Valley. My study will focus on these legends of the Svayambhū Purāna associated with Mañjuśrī.
According to the Svayambhū Purāna, the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī hailed from the Five-Peak Mountain in China. On his arrival in Nepal, Mañjuśrī is credited with the draining of the Nagahrada Lake, transforming the Kathmandu Valley into a habitable land, and the spread of the Buddhadharma throughout the Valley.
The problem which needs study and resolution relates to how the various myths and legends pertaining to Mañjuśrī's role in Kathmandu found expression in the Newar Buddhist literature of Nepal. Myths and legends are the basis of the cult of Mañjuśrī with a rich tradition of rituals as an integral part of the Newar Buddhist practice in the Kathmandu Valley. This study will examine the role attributed to Mañjuśrī in the extant Newari and Sanskrit sources.
In Newar Buddhism, the texts known as the Nine Dharmas (Nava Vaipulya Sūtras) are still being worshipped in Nepal today. They are not considered as the canon of a particular lineage or sect, but their role is similar to that of a canon in Newar Buddhism. In these Nine Dharmas, Mañjuśrī is depicted in a major and significant role. In early Mahāyāna texts on the Perfection of Wisdom like Astasāhasrikā and Pañcavimsatisāhasrikā , Mañjuśrī's name occurs occasionally, but no prominent role is assigned to him. More specific mention is made of him in the Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in the Prajñāpāramitā literature, in the Saddharmapundarīka Sūtra, and in the Gandavyūha Sūtra (Avatamsaka Sūtra). This thesis will discuss Mañjuśrī's role in these three Sūtras. In Nepal, the cult of Mañjuśrī has influenced Buddhist practices in many different ways. Mañjuśrī is portrayed as the founder of the Kathmandu Valley in the Svayambhū Purāna, where he is shown playing a vital role in initiating the Nepalese Buddhist tradition. The Svayambhū Purāna , which is believed to be one of the most important texts attributed to the Buddha Śākyamuni, focuses on the origin of the Svayambhū Stūpa and the formation of the Kathmandu Valley. My study will focus on these legends of the Svayambhū Purāna associated with Mañjuśrī.
According to the Svayambhū Purāna, the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī hailed from the Five-Peak Mountain in China. On his arrival in Nepal, Mañjuśrī is credited with the draining of the Nagahrada Lake, transforming the Kathmandu Valley into a habitable land, and the spread of the Buddhadharma throughout the Valley.
The problem which needs study and resolution relates to how the various myths and legends pertaining to Mañjuśrī's role in Kathmandu found expression in the Newar Buddhist literature of Nepal. Myths and legends are the basis of the cult of Mañjuśrī with a rich tradition of rituals as an integral part of the Newar Buddhist practice in the Kathmandu Valley. This study will examine the role attributed to Mañjuśrī in the extant Newari and Sanskrit sources.
Keywords
Religion See all items with this value
Buddhist literature
See all items with this value
See all items with this value
Kathmandu Valley See all items with this value
Mañjuśrī See all items with this value
Sanskrit See all items with this value
Wutai Shan See all items with this value
Degree Granter
University of the West
ISBN
9781124798868