Mañjushri as Mañjughosha – The “Gentle Voice”
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 1
Plinth 2

ABS 174

 Code: ABS 174

  Country: Tibet

  Style: Nepalese School

  Date: 1200 - 1300

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 41 x 68 x 23.1

  Materials: Gilt copper alloy

Mañjushri as Mañjughosha – The “Gentle Voice”

Mañjushri, bodhisattva of wisdom, appears here under his manifestation of Mañjughosha, the “Gentle Voice.” Seated legs crossed in meditation, his hands are joined before his chest in the teaching gesture. Young and handsome, he is adorned with the royal attire of the divine manifestations, his long hair tied in an intricate topknot.

Beautifully gilded, this statue is lavishly ornate with abundant jewellery inset with precious stones. The two flowers originally stemming from the bodhisattva’s hand and blossoming by his shoulders, supporting his attributes, are unfortunately lost, as is the lotus pedestal on which he sat. This large statue was probably manufactured in Tibet during the 13th century by a Newar artist from the Katmandu valley. It was cast in several parts and then assembled.

Formerly this statue was exhibited at the Cranmore Ethnological Museum, Chislehurst, Kent U.K., founded by Harry G. Beasley (1882-1939). There is a possibility that this image was brought to England from Tibet by a member of the Younghusband expedition (1903-1904).