The practice of Manjusri Worship (文殊信仰) at Wutai Shan (or
Mount Wutai五臺山) is based upon Avatamasaka Sutra (華嚴經).
According to Avatamasaka Sutra, which has been translated in 60
volumes during the period of Eastern Jin dynasty, it is believed that
Manjusri resides at Qingliang Shan (or Mount Clear-and-Cool清涼山) to
preach the Dharma. The practice of Manjusri Worship at Wutai Shan
emerged in later ages due to the explanation that Wutai Shan indeed
is the Qingliang Shan in Avatamasaka Sutra. In the light of historical
documentations and academic researches, the majority claims that the
practice of Manjusri Worship has become influential since the Northern
dynasty. However, it could be found in relevant documentations that
the relationship between Wutai Shan and the practice of Manjusri
Worship in fact was not that cohesive as many scholars has concluded.
By that time, Manjusri Worship did not have a dominant position at
Wutai Shan; moreover, the recognition that “Qingliang Shan is Wutai
Shan” had not yet formed before the Sui dynasty.
Jajang (慈藏), a Buddhist master monk during the period of Medieval
Silla, is believed as the one who introduced Manjursi Worship to Mount Odae, Silla. However, the contradiction can be found in existent
historical documentations, and scholars are unable to provide more
convictive evidence to prove that Jajang introduced Manjursi Worship
to Silla, all of which caused the current doubt. Considering the process
of emergence and development of Manjursi Worship at Wutai Shan, the
story that Jajang made a pilgrimage to Wutai Shan during the Tang
dynasty is fictional.
The introduction of Manjusri Worship to Silla should be earlier than
Jajang visited Tang. In other words, the practice of Manjusri Worship
became widespread in Silla, while Buddhist scriptures were brought
back to Silla by gubeopseung (求法僧). In addition, although there are
no clear records on the date of the formation of Manjusri Worship at
Silla’s Mount Odea, it would not be later than the mid-8th century.
During that period, Mount Odae’s Manjusri Worship followed the
trajectory of development of Wutai Shan’s Manjusri Worship in Tang.
Therefore, the formation of Mount Odae’s Manjusri Worship in Silla had
undergone a long time rather than with in a short time. From the
period of Queen Seondeok(善德女王) to the period of King Gyeongdeok
(景德王), the spread of Manjusri Worship was based on the idea of
bulgukto (佛國土) and took Silla’s northern policy as the starting point
in order to maintain a stabilized and peaceful environment at Mount
Odea’s area in Myeongju (溟州).