Buddhist Deity: Manjushri, Manjuvajra Namasangiti (3 Faces, 6 Arms)
Namasangiti Main PageManjushri, Manjuvajra (Tibetan: jam pal yang, jam pal dor je): one of many complex forms of the deity Manjushri having arisen from the text of the Manjushri-namasangiti Tantra [TBRC W22003]. There are seven main mandalas with deities and this is the seventh from that group. This form of Namasangiti Manjushri is sometimes mistakenly identified as Manjuvajra Guhyasamaja who embraces a consort with the two main hands.
"Holy Manjuvajra, orange, with three faces and six hands, the main face is orange, the right face blue, left red. The first two hands embrace the self-luminous consort and the two lower right [hands] hold a sword and arrow. The two lower left hold a bow and a blue utpala [flower]." (bod brgyud nang bstan lha tshogs chen mo bzhugs so, 2001. ISBN 7-5420-0816-1).
The Manjushri Namasangiti Tantra was first translated into Tibetan in the 8th century and re-translated during the Sarma (New) period in the 11th century. At that time it was classified as both a Yoga and Anuttarayoga Tantra. The Tantra describes numerous forms of Manjushri, both peaceful, wrathful, and full mandalas with many surrounding retinue deities such as the Dharmadhatu Vagishvara. Monks and lamas from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism memorise the Tantra in early childhood.
Lineage of Teachers: The Perfect Buddha, Holy Manjughosha, Khache Yeshe Dorje, Lobpon Jampal Dragpa, Kepa Palpe Zangpo, Dramze Yeshe Dorje, Sherab Jungne Bepa, Dramze Shepa Dorje, Padmakaravarmin, Shraddhakaravarmin, Lochen Rinchen Zangpo, Lochung Legpai Sherab, Ngog Ge Serwa, Kyangpo Dharma Drag, Triton Kunga Ozer, Khenpo Chokyi Dorje, Kunkhyen Choku Ozer, Pagod Yontan Gyatso, Buton Rinchen Drub, Tugse Rinchen Namgyal, Jamyang Dragpa Gyaltsen (1365-1448), Sharchen Yeshe Gyaltsen (d.1406) [TBRC P3094], etc.
Jeff Watt 8-2005
