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Ashuku Nyorai
Sanskrit = Akshobhya Tathagata
Lord of Eastern Paradise called Abhirati (Sanskrit)
English = Land of Exceeding Great Delight
Typically associated with color blue
One of the Five Tathagata of Wisdom
Right hand typically in Bhumisparsha (Earth-Touching) Mudra
Origin = India
Protects the Eastern Quarter in the Japanese Ryokai Mandara
Clipart courtesy of www.dharmanet.com.br/ashuku.htm
Ashuku is one of four deities guarding Dainichi Nyorai in the Diamond Mandala (Sanskrit = Vajradhatu, Japanese = Kongokai Mandara). The five, with Dainichi in the center surrounded by four protector Nyorai (each representing a compass direction) are especially important to the Shingon Sect of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. See the Godai Nyorai page for details on the five. Ashuku Nyorai is not heavily represented in Japanese artwork outside of Shingon traditions.
At Kakuon-ji Temple in Kamakura, there is a 115-cm-tall wooden statue of Ashuku, reportedly carved in 1322 by a local sculptor named "Inko" (whose years of birth and death are unknown). During the Kamakura Era, there were sculptors whose name began with "in," like Inkei and In'no. Inkei fashioned a sedentary statue of Priest Ken'nichi Koho (enshrined at Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura), while In'no is thought to be the creator of a statue of Priest Sho-in Myogen (enshrined at Engaku-ji Temple, also in Kamakura). Both are considered excellent sculptors of the 14th century, and belong to a school of sculpture called the "In" school. <text courtesy of Kondo Takahiro>
Most temples of Esoteric Buddhism display a mandala depicting Dainichi Nyorai, the main Buddha of the Shingon sect, surrounded by several other Buddhas. Ashuku Nyorai is one of the five deities found in the Kongokai Mandala (Vajra-dhatu in Sanskrit). Ashuku guards the east corner to protect Dainichi Nyorai. Ashuku is enshrined at Kakuonji Temple in Kamakura.
 
Ashuku Nyorai Mantra and Drawing
Mantra courtesy www.dharmanet.com.br/ashuku.htm
Drawing courtesy of www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/bonzisyo/set/kon5.html
BELOW TEXT COURTESY OF:
http://www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/Akshobhya.html
Ashuku = Japanese
Aksobhya = Sanskrit (means "Immovable" or "Unshakable")
Chinese = Ah-Chu-For. Tibetan = Mi Kyu Pa or Sang Gye
Ashuku is mentioned in several Mahayana sutras, the Vimalakirti Nirdesa being the most famous. He is a major deity within Vajrayana Buddhism, residing in the eastern quarter of the mandala, surrounded by numerous forms of the green and white Tara Bosatsu. Ashuku is found throughout all four tantra classifications, most notably in the Anu-yoga class. His consort is Lochana, and they represent the Tathagata family, space, and all encompassing wisdom.
Ashuku Nyorai
Unknown date and location
Photo courtesy of www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/Akshobhya.html
HUM
Sanskrit Seed Sound
SANSKRIT IMAGES with permission From:
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/butuzo/hotoke/hotokes.html
Ashuku Nyorai, Guardian of the East, in the
Kongokai Mandala (Diamond World Mandala)
Photo courtesy of the Mandala Explorer (Japanese language)
LEARN MORE
- Five Satellite Deities of Kongokai Japanese Mandara
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/bonzisyo/set/kon5.html
Japanese language only; above blue drawing from this site
- Dharmanet (Spanish language only)
www.dharmanet.com.br/ashuku.htm
Above clipart and mantra from this site.
- Ashuku Nyorai at Kakuon-ji Temple (Kamakura)
www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/kakuonji.htm
Site covers over 70 temples and shrines in Kamakura area.
By Kondo Takahiro.
- Manjushri.com - Akshobhya Tathagata
www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/Akshobhya.html
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