Acala
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In Vajrayana Buddhism, Ācala or Achala ("The Immovable One" in Sanskrit, 阿遮羅, Zh Āzhēluó, Jp Achara), also known as Āryācalanātha, Ācala-vidyā-rāja and Caṇḍamahāroṣaṇa as well as Fudō myō-ō (不動明王) in Japanese, is the best known of the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm. Acala is also the eighth of the ten stages towards Buddhahood.
Acala is the destroyer of delusion and the protector of Buddhism. His immovability refers to his ability to remain unmoved by carnal temptations. Despite his fearsome appearance, his role is to aid all beings by showing them the teachings of the Buddha, leading them into self-control.
He is seen as a protector and aider towards attaining goals, and temples dedicated to Fudo have a periodic fire ritual in devotion to him.
The Buddha Akshobhya, whose name in Sanskrit also means 'Immovable One', is sometimes merged with Acala. However, Acalanatha is not a Buddha, but one of the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm in Vajrayana as found in the Indo-Tibetan tradition, as well as the Japanese Shingon sect of Buddhism. As Fudō myō-ō, Acala is considered one of the Thirteen Buddhas in Japan.
Iconography
Acala is typically depicted with a sword for subduing demons in his right hand and a rope for catching and binding them in his left hand. He has a fearsome blue visage and is surrounded by flames, representing the purification of the mind. He is often depicted seated or standing on a rock to show his immovability. His hair commonly has seven knots and is draped on his left side, a servant hairstyle in Buddhist iconography. He is frequently depicted with two protruding fangs. One tooth points down, representing his compassion to the world, and one tooth points up, representing his passion for truth.
External links
- Fudo Myo-O, 不動明王 O-Fudo-sama in Japan (http://fudosama.blogspot.com)