The Bodhisattva Monju

The bodhisattva (enlightened being) known in Japanese as Monju Bosatsu (or Manjushri in Sanskrit) is a Buddhist deity who represents wisdom. Paintings of Monju often show him riding a lion and holding a sacred scripture (sutra) in the form of a book or scroll. Here he holds in his left hand a lotus, a symbol of purity, which is surmounted by a book. In his right hand is a weapon to protect against ignorance and evil. Monju is often depicted with the bodhisattva Fugen, who rides an elephant and represents teaching, meditation, and practice of the Buddha. Together they are attendants to the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, but each bodhisattva is also individually worshipped.