Akshobhya Buddha

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As lord of the heavenly Eastern Paradise, the Celestial Akshobhya Buddha is often regarded as a counterpart to Amitabha Buddha in the Western Paradise. Akshobhya Buddha is said to have begun his existence as a monk who vowed never to feel anger or resentment toward others. When he achieved enlightenment, the monk became Akshobhya Buddha, the embodiment of the eternal, unmovable mind. The chief identifying characteristics of Akshobhya Buddha are his blue skin and the vajra scepter he holds in his lap. His blue skin signifies that the tranquility of his mind is as deep as the ocean and as limitless as the sky. The vajra scepter signifies the indestructability and irresistibility of his resolve to live out the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. This painting would originally have been mounted as a scroll and displayed as a devotional or meditational image within a Mongolian Buddhist temple or monastery.

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