Tibet, circa: 19th century
H 8.25 in.(21cm), W 5.5 in.(14cm.), D 3.5 in.(9cm.)
Condition: minor abrasions
Akshobhya
means Unshakable, he is the lord of the Vajra clan who represents the transmutation
of delusion (or hatred) into mirror wisdom (or reality wisdom) and who abides
in Abhirati, one of the Pure Lands described in the Vimalakirti Sutra. This 19th
century bronze is a devotional yidam of great integrity and beauty, and full of
spiritual power. Akshobhya sits upright in full lotus posture on a lotus throne
with the right hand in the bhumisparsa mudra of touching the earth, and the left
hand in meditation position holding the vajra, the adamantine thunderbolt of indestructible
wisdom. His hair is piled in a three-tiered chignon fronted by a five jeweled
crown which terminates on the sides with trailing scarves and coral and turquoise
jeweled earrings. He is adorned with jeweled necklaces, armbands and bracelets
of gold. His upper torso is bare except for a shoulder garment and sacred cord
descending from left to right. Celestial scarves billow outward from his figure,
and the golden hem of his lower garment is embroidered with foliate motifs. Some
traces of gilding illuminate the quiet elegance. On the reverse at the bottom
of the torso is an engraved dhvaja, or banner of victory of Buddhist teaching
over ignorance, a auspicious symbol promising that all spiritual obstacles have
been overcome and that good fortune has arrived.