Buddha Akshobhya Mantra – Om Akshobhya Hum

What are the meaning and benefits of Buddha Akshobhya Mantra – Om Akshobhya Hum?

Introduction

Akshobhya (Immovable One) is one of the five Dhyani Buddhas, along with Ratnasambhava, Vairocana, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi.

He originates from the blue seed mantra “Hum” and when He became a Buddha and reached enlightenment, Akshobhya was given charge over the eastern paradise, called The Ultimate Joy (Pure Land Abhirati).

His consort is Lochana (Lochana is said to be similar in nature to Lord Vairochana) and He is normally accompanied by two elephants.

Akshobhya Buddha is mentioned in a few Mahayana sutras, but mostly He is known from the Vimalakirti Nirdesa (the sutra that teaches the meaning of nondualism).

Furthermore, He appears in the “Scripture of the Buddha-land of Akshobhya,” which dates from 147 AD and is the oldest known Pure Land sacred text.

Although a relatively minor figure in the Buddhist Sutras, He is of major importance in the Tantras, occupying a central role in Vajrayana Buddhism (Diamond Vehicle) at all levels. He also manifests as Buddha Mitrugpa.

The Buddha Mitrugpa’s powerful mantra practice is said to be extremely potent for “rescuing” those individuals who have fallen into the lower realms of existence.

Moreover, He established the enlightened intention that all sentient beings could purify and dissolve any degree of nonvirtue.

Even the extreme nonvirtue of violence, hatred, and killing can be purified through relying on Akshobhya as the focus of meditation, invoking His blessings of purification, and acknowledging and abandoning nonvirtuous actions.

Bardo Thodol (Tibetan Book of the Dead) mentions that Akshobhya is manifesting himself to the dead in Bardo (after-death state) on the 2nd day, after the Buddha Vairocana (the personification of the dharmakaya).

“On the second day will shine a white light of a completely purified element of Water… He is accompanied by two bodhisattvas Maitreya and Kshitigarbha, and the two Bodhisattvas, Pushpa and Lasya.” – Bardo Thodol

In Buddhist iconography, He is usually depicted in blue color His characteristics include three robes, the bell, and staff, along with a prayer wheel, jewel, lotus, and sword.

The Vajra family, to which He belongs, is linked with the element of water.

Buddha Akshobhya mantra lyrics:

”Namo bhagavate Akshobhaya, tathagatayarhate samyaksambuddhyaya.
Tadyatha: Om kamkani kamkani.
Rochani rochani. Trotani trotani.
Trasani trasani. Pratihana pratihana.
Sarva karma paramparanime sarva sattvanancha svaha.”

ALSO READ: Ardas Bhaee Mantra – translation & meaning

Chanting Mitrugpa mantra – Om Akshobhya Hum mantra benefits:

This Buddhist mantra is considered a powerful remedy for dissolving negative karma, somewhat similar to the Vajrasattva mantra.

Moreover, chanting the mantra with sincere intention can liberate the practitioner from the fear of inauspicious rebirth, plus even violence, hatred, and killing can be purified through practicing this mantra and invoking Buddha Akshobhya’s blessings of purification.

He explicitly promised that the merit generated by chanting 108,000 of His Dharani would assure the release from lower states of existence and reincarnation in spiritually auspicious circumstances.

Note

An experienced Buddha Akshobhya practitioner in strict retreat can chant one-hundred-thousand long mantras in about 30 days.

Image source – O Brasil que poucos conhecem/Shutterstock

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