Manjusri, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in Chinese Buddhism, is associated with enlightened wisdom and doctrine and is seen standing on the left of Gautama Buddha’s retinue. In this portrait by Xia Jing Shan, Manjusri is depicted holding scrolls to show that he is an embodiment of wisdom, which is quite different from the usual depiction of the bodhisattva with a sword in hand to cut down ignorance and duality. He is riding on a blue lion, with the lion's fierce roars serving as a reminder to sentient beings of the wisdom of Buddhism. Bodhipakkhiya dhamma (or the 37 factors of enlightenment) is mentioned in the inscription on the painting. The factors are qualities conducive to Enlightenment preached by all sects of Buddhism, the culmination of all Buddhist doctrines, and the essence of Buddhism’s fundamental forms and methods.
Xia’s unique approach with color is observed with this painting, seen with the intense and vibrant mineral pigments of stone green hues used to depict the mystical beast, which forms a contrast with the bodhisattva illustrated with light colors. Golden outlines are added on the blue lion’s fur and the bodhisattva, which gives the bodhisattva an enhanced sense of nobility.
简中｜文殊菩萨
Paintings
Xia Jing Shan
color on paper
138X74
2012
題跋：三十七道品是整個佛法的架構，學佛的人若能把握三十七道品是有大福德的人，維摩品佛國品曰：三十七道品是菩薩淨土。壬辰春月於京都雲峰山莊夏荊山熏沐敬書。南無大智文殊師利菩薩。世上唯有佛語是真實的，真語的，不妄語的，是最經得起考驗的，如來智慧德就是我們真心的妙用。印記：佛像肖印、荊山藏畫、聖像妙法廣結善緣、夏氏、荊山、佛光普照、夏氏荊山藏畫、夏氏聖像萬法、夏荊山佛學典藏之寶、南無阿彌陀佛
BO-00055-Li
