Manjushri
Manjushree is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gentle glory'. In Sanskrit, "shree" means 'glorious' or 'honorable'. His name signifies one who embodies enlightened wisdom. He confers mastery of the Dharma, wisdom, and eloquence and teaches the path of a bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition.
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Commentary
Manjushree is the Bodhisattva who holds the flaming sword [Skt. Khadga] of enlightenment, by his left hand in a warning( Tarjani) hand gesture ( Mudra) in his left hand representing his realization of wisdom to cut through ignorance & wrong view. His right hand depicted in teaching (Jnana Mudra) holds the stem of a Blue Lotus (Utpala) flower upon which rests the Book (Pustaka) of Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom. The blue lotus is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. This represents the lotus that he obtained from the middle of the lake in the Kathmandu Valley out of which grew a lotus bearing a Blue Flame which represents wisdom. Manjushree sits upon a moon disc upon a lotus with an elongated stem arising from a lake. He wears a gold diadem fitted with precious jewels. He wears a silk scarf fastened at the waist and over this, a softly glowing green scarf decorated with golden motifs. His head is silhouetted against a nimbus. The lotus he is sitting on has an elongated stem and arises from a lake representing his recovery of the blue flame of transcendent wisdom and the teaching he originated. The white sash is the attire of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism.
According to legend, Manjushree founded the Nepalese civilization. In ancient times, way before Buddha Shakyamuni the Kathmandu Valley was a vast lake. The Buddha Vipashyin came to Nepal to meditate on the hill above the lake. Wishing to give the rough mountain people an object of worship, Vipashyin threw a lotus seed into the lake. When this lotus bloomed, a blue flame of wisdom light shone from the center of its thousand petals. This light was called the Swayambhunath Dharmadhatu, the Self-Sprung Infinite Field of Light, and the flame of the enlightened mind of the primal Buddha, Vajradhara burned at its center. The light of Vajradhara also emanated in the colors of the rainbow and in each of the five colors appeared one of the Five Buddhas - Vairochana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. Then Manjushri went to Nagarkot Peak on the edge of the lake, and after having pondered in Samadhi how best the lake may be drained, with his keen-edged sword of wisdom he cut three Gorges. After the lake had been drained and the Valley bottom made suitable for cultivation Manjushree founded the city of Patan which was originally called Manjupattan. He taught the people many things. Manjushree manifests himself in the form of Yamantaka, known also as Vajrabhairava in order to overcome the lord of Death, Yama.
The Book (Pustaka) represents Transcendent Wisdom which came to be embodied by the Dyani {Pancha} Buddha Families. The book symbolically contains Buddhist teaching that had been lost to mankind & which was revealed to Manjushree. The book is commonly mistaken for the Prajna Paramita which was written by many hands between 100 & 200 CE realizing the Boddhisattva Principle. The book of Manjushree alludes to Wisdom and the emanation of the Five Transcendent Buddha Families. These are Vairochana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha & Amoghasiddhi. Wisdom Energy is a power that can extinguish the Five Negative afflictions. Each family heads wisdom and energy to overcome these Five hindrances to enlightenment which are greed, hatred, delusion, jealousy & pride.
Silver Plated
The Manjushri has a full Silver plated finish, Sliver plating process involves the application of a thin layer of genuine silver onto the surface of the Manjushri, creating a stunning and lustrous appearance. Skilled artisans handle the silver plating, ensuring even coverage and a flawless finish. The silver plating adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the Manjushri, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal.
WHAT'S THE SILVER PLATING PROCESS?
Silver plating is valued for its durability and ability to resist tarnishing, allowing the Manjushri to maintain its radiant shine for an extended period. The silver-plated finish also offers versatility, complementing various design styles and adding a touch of refinement to any setting.
By choosing the Manjushri with a silver plated finish, you can enjoy the timeless beauty and allure of silver, creating an exquisite and eye-catching piece that is sure to captivate.
The silver plating process steps are relatively straightforward, although they differ depending on what type you're doing — barrel or rack plating. The basic strategy, however, goes like this:
Inspection: Before electroplating, you should always check the part for imperfections — like cold shuts or sharp edges — and amend these issues before starting the process. Otherwise, the quality of the substrate will decrease, and this may cause problems for your customers.
Pre-treatment: Complete any necessary treatments before plating onto your metal part. You should also do an under-plating of copper, nickel or both metals. Additionally, you can add a silver strike or an anti-tarnish coating if there's a particular effect you want to achieve. If you plate a layer of nickel or copper with a 0.0005-inch thickness, the silver should also be 0.0005 inches for a total of 0.0010 inches.
Electroplating: Silver plating involves submerging the substrate into a bath of silver ions. After passing an electric current through the solution, the ions deposit onto the part's surface, coating it in your chosen metal — in this case, silver.
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Metal Wall Hangings : Brief Introduction
Tibetan Buddhist culture is rich in symbolism and art, and metal or wooden wall hangings are essential to this tradition. These wall hangings, also known as paubhas, are typically made in painting form, painted on a cotton canvas with natural color. they are also made in wood, brass, or clay, and feature intricate designs and vibrant colors. They depict various aspects of Buddhism, such as deities, Buddhist teachings, and spiritual stories. Many of these wall hangings are adorned with semi-precious stones, such as turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli, which add to their beauty and symbolic significance.
The art of creating these metal or wooden wall hangings is considered a sacred tradition in Tibetan Buddhist culture, and it is often passed down from generation to generation. The creation process can take many months or even years, as each detail is carefully crafted and the colors are meticulously applied. These wall hangings are considered to be sacred objects and are used for meditation, worship, and offerings.
One of the most common themes depicted in Tibetan wall hangings is the mandala, a geometric representation of the universe. Mandalas are often intricate, symmetrical designs that are meant to represent the balance and harmony of the universe. They can also depict important Buddhist teachings and spiritual stories, and they serve as a focus for meditation and spiritual contemplation. Other popular themes in Tibetan wall hangings include Buddhist deities such as the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and protectors, as well as important Buddhist symbols like the lotus flower, the wheel of life, and the eight auspicious symbols.
The use of color in Tibetan wall hangings is also significant, as each color is associated with a specific emotion, quality, or spiritual aspect. For example, gold is associated with wisdom and compassion, red symbolizes passion and power, and blue represents serenity and peace. The use of semi-precious stones in these wall hangings is also significant, as each stone is believed to have spiritual properties and can bring positive energy to the environment.
In conclusion, Tibetan metal or wooden wall hangings are a rich and important part of Tibetan Buddhist culture. They serve as sacred objects for meditation, worship, and offerings, and their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and semi-precious stone settings make them both beautiful and significant. These wall hangings are a testament to the beauty and significance of Tibetan Buddhist culture and continue to be valued and revered to this day.
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