Manjushri is one of the most prominent Bodhisattvas in the Mahayana Sutras who manifested as a student of Buddha Shakyamuni in ancient times. His practice cultivates wisdom which lights the darkness of our ignorance. This ignorance is the cause of our suffering and the root of all the pain that we experience in our current rebirth. As such, it is often said that enlightenment is impossible without Manjushri.