MANJUSHREE

Mañju?r? (?????????) is a bodhisattva associated with transcendent wisdom (Skt. prajñ?) in Mah?y?na Buddhism. In Esoteric Buddhism he is also taken as a meditational deity. The Sanskrit name Mañju?r? can be translated as "Gentle Glory".Mañju?r? is also known by the fuller Sanskrit name of Mañju?r?kum?rabh?ta.According to Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that Mañju?r? saw a lotus flower in the center of the lake and cut a gorge at Chovar to allow the lake to drain. The place where the lotus flower settled became Swayambhunath Stupa and the valley thus became habitable.