Manjusri -- Bodhisattva of Wisdom

About this episode

Roshi Rafe Martin discusses the significance of Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, in Zen Buddhism.

Recorded May 9, 2026. Roshi Rafe Martin reads and comments on Chapter 2 of "A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas." In Japan, the Buddha sits in the Buddha Hall, but Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom, presides over the zendo where he’s often shown seated on a noble and courageous lion -- symbol of our own enlightened Original Nature. Holding a scroll of prajna wisdom or a lotus in one hand and a sword in the other, he may have the shaved head of a monk—showing himself free of all attachments and con...

People in this episode

Host: Roshi Rafe Martin

Topics covered

• Bodhisattva
• Wisdom
• Zen Buddhism
• Spirituality
• Enlightenment

Keywords

• Manjusri
• Bodhisattva
• wisdom
• Zen
• Buddhism
• enlightenment
• spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: A Zen Life of Bodhisattvas

Places: Japan

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