The Pure Land where Akshobhya Buddha resides is located in the eastern direction of our world and is known as the Abhirati Pure Land, often translated as the Land of Joy. Describing it this way may almost sound like a story about another world. Some people might even imagine Akshobhya Buddha as a character from a fantasy world.
Long ago, in the Abhirati Pure Land, there was a Buddha known as Great-Eyed Tathagata.
One day, while Great-Eyed Tathagata was teaching the Dharma to an assembly, a monk stood up and asked a question:
"For someone who follows the Bodhisattva path, what is the most important practice when cultivating the Bodhisattva way?"
The Buddha replied:
"Among all Bodhisattva practices, the most important and indispensable is the practice of patience and forbearance. If a Bodhisattva can wear the strong armor of patience, they can overcome adversity and afflictions, especially the disturbance caused by anger."
The monk was deeply inspired by these words. He immediately made a vow:
"From this moment until I attain Buddhahood, I will never give rise to anger toward any living being."
It is often said that what makes a Bodhisattva a Bodhisattva is the moment they first generate Bodhicitta, the aspiration for enlightenment. When this monk made his great vow before Great-Eyed Tathagata, he began the Bodhisattva path.
Because of this vow, he eventually attained the realization of the Buddha Without Anger.
According to the scriptures, the monk made a total of eight great vows before the Buddha, and the first of these was the vow never to harbor anger toward any sentient being.
When the monks in the assembly heard this vow, they were amazed and filled with admiration. They whispered among themselves:
"This monk is truly extraordinary. His vow is so profound. His determination is unwavering. He is truly immovable and free from anger."
Inspired by these words, Great-Eyed Tathagata praised him:
"Monk, you are remarkable. Your determination on the path is firm and unshakable."
The Buddha then gave him a prediction of future enlightenment:
"No matter how much time passes before you become a Buddha, you will never break this vow. Therefore, from this day forward, you may be known as 'Without Anger' (Akshobhya, the Immovable One). Likewise, when you attain Buddhahood in the future, your name will also be 'Without Anger' (Akshobhya)."
This is the origin of the name Akshobhya Buddha, the Buddha who remains unmoved by anger and whose mind cannot be shaken by hatred, adversity, or negative circumstances.
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