Bodhisattva Monju standing on a lion

Monju (Manjusri in Sanskrit) characteristically rests on the back of a stylized lion, his accompanying animal and manner of transport. The original attributes of this bodhisattva are a sword and a scroll, which symbolize the victory of knowledge and education over ignorance. Monju from the National Gallery Prague holds a lotus bud in his right hand (but it could also be a sword fragment, as the attribute was partly broken) and a scroll in his left hand. The bodhisattva’s face is crowned with a thick hairdo with five topknots gokei – symbols of the five types of wisdom. The hairdo with topknots bears a metal crown tenkandai. The bodhisattva’s chest is adorned with lavish jewellery jōraku symbolizing Buddhist virtue and bliss.