Toh 2701Mañjuvajra Who Increases Intelligence

THE MAÑJUVAJRA SUTRA ON THE INCREASE OF WISDOM

Background

The Mañjuvajra Sutra on the Increase of Wisdom (Mañjushrivajraprajnavardhana) is a sutra belonging to the Prajnaparamita collection in the Northern Mahayana canonical tradition, preserved in the Tibetan Buddhist canon under the number Toh 2701. This sutra centers on the figure of Mañjushri, the bodhisattva of transcendent wisdom, and on methods for developing the power of wisdom through the unsurpassed bodhisattva path.

In the Mahayana, Manjushri symbolizes Prajnaparamita, the Perfection of Wisdom, the highest teachings on shunyata, emptiness, and tathata, suchness. In the Northern tradition, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, Manjushri is often manifested as Mañjuvajra, Vajra Manjushri, a form in which wisdom and power are completely united. The title "Increase of Wisdom" (prajnavardhana) describes the process of enhancing the capacity for profound understanding of the nature of mind and phenomena.

Main Contents

Although the complete text of the sutra has not been provided in full, according to the context of the Prajnaparamita collection and the Tibetan tradition, this sutra very likely presents methods of practice on the bodhisattva path directed toward the opening of absolute wisdom. These teachings include:

First, the contemplative practice of shunyata, emptiness, is not absolute nothingness, but the emptiness of fixed and unchanging characteristics. Wisdom develops when the practitioner realizes that all dharmas lack self-nature (anatman) and have no independent essence.

Second, the sutra emphasizes the role of bodhisattva mind, loving concern for all sentient beings (maitri, karuna, mudita, upeksha). Wisdom is not separate from compassion and the resolve to liberate all beings.

Third, the image of Mañjuvajra expresses the unity of wisdom (prajna) and skillful means (upaya).