Manjusri : Mural in Abeyadana

Abeyadana Chedi was built around 17th Buddhist Century by Abeyadana, the Chief Queen Consort of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The paintings found in the Chedi are similar to the Pala Style of Art which tend to belong to Mahayana Buddhism

The visible influence of Pala Art is the use of hot tone colors such as red, yellow, black, and gold while the cool tone colors such as green is rarely seen. The clockwise walkway inside leaves some traces of Buddha Images that used to be installed there. The frames that used to be the Buddha Image spots are flanked by the painting of Mahayana’s Bodhisattva dressed similar to the Pala Style of Art such as wearing high crown (Jada headgear), wearing the ‘S’ shape sashes, and wearing striated brocades.

The Bodhisattva seems to be Manjushri holding lotus in one hand and sword in the othe to symbolize the immediate termination of ignorance (by the sword) and replace it with wisdom (represented by lotus).