What does the name Akshobhya mean in Sanskrit?
The Sanskrit word Akshobhya translates to Immovable One. This name defines the figure at the center of a specific group known as the Five Wisdom Buddhas.
Questions about Akshobhya
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When was the text Akshobhyatathāgatasyavyūha Sūtra written?
Scholars date this scripture to the second century CE. It stands among the oldest known Mahayana or Pure Land texts available today.
Where is Akshobhya located within the Diamond Realm?
Akshobhya holds a fixed position in the east within the Diamond Realm. He rules over a Pure Land named Abhirati, which means The Joyous.
Who are the deities associated with Akshobhya?
His consort is a deity named Lochanā and two elephants accompany him in most depictions. A monk once made a vow not to harbor anger until he achieved enlightenment and became the buddha Akshobhya.
How did Akshobhya become a healing Buddha in Japan?
Prior to the advent of Bhaiśajyaguru, Akshobhya was the subject of a minor cult in Japan as a healing Buddha. Japanese Shingon Buddhism venerates both Akshobhya and Bhaiśajyaguru currently.