Akshobhya - Buddha with Mirror-like Wisdom

Akṣobhya Buddha (Sanskrit: अक्षोभ्य, Akṣobhya, "Immovable One") in Tibetan Buddhism is considered one of the 5 Dhyāna Buddhas, the ultimate emanations of the one absolute Buddha Nature that pervades everything.

Alike the other Dhyāna Buddha Amitābha, Akṣobhya also has his own Buddha-field in the East, called the Pure Land Abhirati ('The Ultimate Joy').

According to the “Sūtra of the Buddha-land of Akṣobhya” (Akṣobhya-vyūha Sūtra),

many aeons ago a monk gave strong vows to practice and teach Dharma in the Eastern Land and not feel any anger or malice towards any sentient being until enlightenment.

He proved to be unshakable in his determination and became Buddha Akṣobhya.

In the Akṣobhya Sūtra, the Buddha Śākyamuni himself extolled the patience of Akṣobhya in actualizing his intention so powerfully that countless beings have been saved from the intense suffering of lower states of existence.

Akṣobhya is usually depicted in blue colour, symbolising the colour of clear water that reflects things as they are.

Akṣobhya symbolises a clear mirror-like wisdom, which can transform any anger and clean stiff feelings.

No reflection in a mirror sticks to it, and none repels it. The mirror always stands imperturbable and immutable, just as we should, whether the circumstances are favourable or unfavourable to us.

Akṣobhya is doing earth-touching gesture (Bhūmi sparśa mudra) with the fingertips of his right hand. This gesture suggests confidence, deep-rootedness and determination.

In his left he holds Dorje on his lap. Buddha Akṣobhya may be together with his consort Lochanā and usually is accompanied by 2 elephants:

As an elephant places its foot upon the earth with unshakeable certainty, so the Buddha Akṣobhya mind reflects everything.

Buddha Akṣobhya mantra is considered an effective remedy for purifying ones negative karma, somewhat similar to Dorje Sempa mantra.

But the mantra of Dorje Sempa is more intended for purifying negativities related to Vajrayāna practices, especially broken samayas, the tantric vows.

Whereas Buddha Akṣobhya mantra is very powerful for cleaning the general negative karma, and thus is very beneficial even for non-Vajrayāna practitioners.

Akṣobhya is the embodiment of 'mirror-like knowledge' (Sanskrit: ādarśa-jñāna;). Knowledge of what is real, and what is illusion, or a mere reflection of actual reality.

The mirror is mind itself - clear like the sky, empty but luminous. Comprising all the images of space and time, yet untouched by them.

Akṣobhya represents the absolute Buddha Mind, and the Vajra family to which he belong is connected with reason and intellect. Its brilliance illuminates the darkness of ignorance and its sharpness cuts through confusion.

Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) mentions Buddha Akṣobhya is manifesting himself to the dead in after-death state (Bardo) on a 2^nd day, after the Buddha Vairocana.

Bardo Thodol says the following:

On the second day will shine a white light of a completely purified element of Water.

Then from the pure blue dimension of Ultimate Joy in the East the blissful Buddha Akṣobhya will appear. His body is blue and 5-pointed Vajra in his hands.

He is seated on an elephant throne and his wife Buddha-Locana is with him.

He is accompanied by 2 bodhisattvas Kṣitigarbha and Maitreya, and the 2 Bodhisattvas, Lāsya and Puṣpa. Thus, only in this light will shine 6 forms of Buddhas.

The white light of the skandha of forms (rūpa-skandha in Sanskrit) in its pure dimension is the Mirror-Like Wisdom, white and shining, clear and transparent – will radiate towards you from the heart of Buddha Akṣobhya and his consort…

Here Akṣobhya is associated with rūpa-skandha and in his hands he is holding vajra (dorje) and the bell.

When the Bardo of peaceful deities ends and begins Bardo of wrathful deities, Akṣobhya-Buddha appears as Vajra Heruka. At this moment it is important to be not scared and to recognize his ultimate Buddha nature and wisdom.

The seed mantra of Akṣobhya is syllable HUNG.

The long version of Akṣobhya mantra to purify all negative karma is: