The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c11.s2: 2. Akṣayamati
The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c11.s2
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2. Akṣayamati
c11.s2.1
Colour—Yellow Symbol—Sword or Jar
c11.s2.2
The second Bodhisattva is Akṣayamati (Indestructible mind) and his name is widely known in the Buddhist ritualistic literature. Akṣayamati is described thrice in the Niṣpannayogāvalī.
c11.s2.3
In the Mañjuvajra Maṇḍala Akṣayamati is described as:
c11.s2.4
Akṣayamatiḥ suvarṇavarṇo vāmamuṣṭim hṛdyavasthāpya savyena varadamudraḥ.
NSP, p. 50.
“Akṣayamati is of golden complexion, and shows the clenched left hand against the chest, and exhibits the Varada mudrā in the right.”
c11.s2.5
In the Dharmadhātuvāgīśvara Maṇḍala, he is described somewhat differently as:
c11.s2.6
Akṣayamatiḥ pītaḥ savyena khaḍgam vāmenaabhayakamalaṃ bibharti.
NSP, p 58.
“Akṣayamati is yellow in colour and flourishes the sword in the right hand, while he exhibits in the left hand the Abhaya mudrā and the Kamala.”
c11.s2.7
A third description of this Bodhisattva occurs in the Durgatipariśodhana Maṇḍala and he is described in the following words:
c11.s2.8
Akṣayamatiḥ sito hastābhyāṃ jñānāmṛtakalaśadhārī
NSP, p. 67.
“Akṣayamati is white in colour and with his two hands holds the bowl containing the nectar of knowledge.”
c11.s2.9
A Chinese statuette¹ depicts him in the form of the Dhyāni Buddha Amoghasiddhi with the right hand raised against the chest in the Abhayamudrā and the left resting on the lap. Fig. 49 is a Nepalese drawing of the deity. Fig. 50 illustrates a Chinese specimen.
c11.s2.10
¹ Clark: TLP, II, p. 132.
Linked texts (1)
- Niṣpannayogāvalī — Abhayākaragupta, Sanskrit