Exploring the Sacred Landscape: An Account of Mañjuśrī and Wutai Shan in the Vṛhat Svayambhū Purāṇa

Mañjuśrī is portrayed as the founder of the Kathmandu Valley in the Svayaṃbhū Purāṇa, where he is shown playing a vital role in founding the Nepalese Buddhist tradition. The Vṛhat Svayambhū Purāṇa describes in detail the visit of Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī to Kathmandu Valley from Wutai Shan (Pañca-śīrśa parvat) with his two consorts, Varadā and Mokṣadā, and accounts of his draining of the water in the lake and the establishment of the Kathmandu Valley with many sacred places. This study will explore an account of Mañjuśrī and Wutai Shan in the Vṛhat Svayambhū Purāṇa, examining it in both the Sanskrit and Newari languages. It will trace the origins and development of the Mañjuśrī cult in Nepal and discuss the significance of Wutai Shan to this cult.