The Nepali artisan who created our handmade 8.5″ Manjushri statue included the Bodhisattva crown and jewels, finished in a striking partly gilded style — the crown, torso, and arms brightly gilded in 24K gold against a warm oxidized copper lower body. At the request of the buyer, we can insert turquoise and red coral stones into the crown and jewels. As a result, the enhanced statue will further inspire all those who see it. There is no extra cost for this service — please notify us of your intentions before shipping.
In addition, our handmade Manjushri statue is depicted in classic pose wielding the sword of wisdom over his right shoulder. However, it is important to note that this represents the gentle annihilation of ignorance and duality. Insight wisdom is a very important concept in Buddhist beliefs, and it is elaborated on in great detail in many of the Buddhist texts. To learn more about the symbolism of the flaming sword and the Prajnaparamita scripture, see our guide to Manjushri statue meaning and symbolism.
One very important text is called the Prajnaparamita Sutra, in which we can find the origins of our handmade Manjushri statue. The Prajnaparamita took seven centuries to compose, beginning in the 1st century. As a result, the classic depiction of a Manjushri sculpture includes a blossoming lotus flower growing over his left shoulder — inside the lotus we can see a copy of the Prajnaparamita resting.
Handmade Manjushri Statue Origin
Manjushri’s left hand is raised at the chest in a delicate Buddhist hand gesture — thumb and index finger meeting to form a graceful circle, palm turned open toward devotees. This is the intellectual debate gesture, expressing the transmission of teaching and encouraging devotees to seek refuge in wisdom and virtue, not brute strength. Explore the full meaning of the many Buddhist hand gestures in our guide to Buddha statue meaning.
Another important symbol on our Manjushri statue which venerates the use of wisdom is the third eye that is depicted between his brows. This symbolism portrays the ability of Manjushri to see into a divine world. However, this world is not readily accessible to worldlings and other unenlightened beings — it will take many lifetimes of devoted practice to obtain enough insight wisdom to see into this world.
Manjushri also has a pure land called “Vimala” which is located in the Far East. However, it has not yet met its anticipated potential because Manjushri still remains a Bodhisattva — when he becomes a fully fledged Buddha, Vimala is expected to be one of the best pure lands.
Shakya Artisans and the Lost Wax Method
This statue was cast by master craftsmen of the Shakya caste of Newar artisans in Patan, Nepal — the same lineage that has supplied Tibetan monasteries with their most important sculpture for over a thousand years. Every piece begins as a hand-sculpted beeswax model, encased in clay, then fired so the wax melts away and molten copper alloy is poured into the resulting mould. The clay is broken, the metal figure is cold-worked by hand — chased, engraved, and refined — before the upper body is fire gilded with pure 24K gold and the lower body treated to preserve its rich oxidized copper for contrast. Because each wax model is destroyed in the casting, no two statues from the workshop are ever identical.
Custom Orders
If you would prefer this Manjushri in a different size, or in a fully gilded, oxidized copper, or silver plated finish rather than the two-tone shown here, we can commission it directly with the artisan on your behalf. Explore our custom Tibetan Buddhist statues page for the full commissioning process and to see recent custom pieces we have delivered.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
