Himalayan Art Resources

Buddhist Deity: Akshobhya Buddha Main Page (阿閦佛)

Akshobhya Masterworks

- Art History

- Iconography

- Religious Context


Videos:
- Akshobhya Buddha
- Shakyamuni & Akshobhya: A Confusion About the Vajra Scepter

Akshobhya, Buddha (Tibetan: mi kyu pa, sang gye): a principal buddha within Vajrayana Buddhism associated with the eastern quarter of a mandala, a minor buddha within the sutra tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, residing in the Abhirati buddhafield.

Akshobhya, meaning unshakeable, is one of many Buddhas found in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. He is described in the Mahayana Sutras of Northern Buddhism and in the Tantra literature. Although a relatively minor figure in the Sutras Akshobhya is of major importance in the Tantras occupying a central role in Vajrayana Buddhism at all levels. He is easily recognized in paintings by having a buddha-like form, blue body colour and the left hand supporting an upright vajra scepter. There are no other Buddhist figures that have this same iconographic appearance. Tantric depictions of Buddhas are commonly shown with jewel ornaments and a crown.

Database Search: All Images | Painting | Sculpture | Mandala

Jeff Watt 9-99 [updated 10-2008, 7-2013, 5-2017, 1-2020]

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).