Bodhisattva Manjushri as Tikshna-Manjushri (Minjie Wenshu)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manjushri holds a sword in his primary right hand and a volume of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (which rests on a small lotus) in his left. Remnants of a bow and arrow can be seen in his secondary hands, and the combination of the four implements identify the sculpture as a Tikshna- Manjushri, a manifestation that refers to the bodhisattva’s quick wit while further elucidating his position as an embodiment of spiritual wisdom. The inscription at the front of the lotus pedestal indicates that it was cast during the reign of the Yongle emperor, who is known to have followed esoteric or Tibetan Buddhist practices and to have sponsored the production of numerous sculptures in a style derived from India and the Himalayas. The soft folds of the clothing are typical of works produced in imperial workshops, as are the delicacy of the details and the rich pink tones of the gilding.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art