Bodhisattva Manjushri

Manjushri, the orange Bodhisattva of Wisdom, sits in the posture of royal ease (lalitasana) with his right hand in front of his breast in the gesture of argumentation (vitarkamudra). This hand and the one resting on his knee both hold the stalks of lotus flowers carrying his identifying attributes, a sword and a book. The surrounding figures are engaged in making offerings and veneration. At the top and bottom are small narrative scenes, possibly depicting his previous lives. Based on comparisons to other known sets, this work would likely have been the fifth painting in a set of seven.