Fudõ Myõ-õ (不動明王) the destroyer of the passions, fierce and aggressive, sitting or standing on a rock representing his immovable determination, backed by flames that consume the passions, holding the vajra-sword (kongõken 金剛剣) and a rope (kongõ kensaku 金剛羂索), Fudõ Myõ-õ is a protector of the Buddha Dharma, an aggressive but compassionate tough guy, a no nonsense immovable warrior.

Fudõ Myõ-õ carries in his left hand a rope called a kongõ kensaku (金剛羂索) or vajra pāśa in Sanskrit, by which he catches and binds our evil passions. The kongõ kensaku binds the four delusions, and is represented in three stages with the example of the robber and the rope - 1) the robber is beaten with the kongõ at the end of the rope (kai = the precepts), 2) he is tied with the rope (jõ = concentration), and 3) he is killed by the sword (e = wisdom).

In his right hand Fudõ Myõ-õ carries the vajra-sword (kongõken 金剛剣), the sword of wisdom which slays ignorance and delusion, confusion and foolishness. Fudõ Myõ-õ is the symbol of intelligence, knowledge, and victory over ignorance and error.

Fudõ Myõ-õ is the ideal of enlightened determination who will not back off, who is not averse to confronting delusion, hatred, and greed. Fudõ Myõ-õ is an emanation of the most powerful of emotions, instincts, and feelings, the strength and calm of active, dynamic, fearless mind-awakened willingness to fully act and be.

Fudõ Myõ-õ, as with all the statues and painted images found in Buddhism, is not to be believed in. He is not a god but rather a visual symbol for us to emulate. Not to be worshipped but to be imitated, the resolute and immovable Fudõ Myõ-õ represents those aspects of the universe that encourage and enforce our progress.

In the image of Fudõ Myõ-õ we see the potential for us all to centre our resolutions on personal growth and the destruction of delusion and ignorance. We must strive to kindle in ourselves the same halo of flames which surrounds Fudõ Myõ-õ and burn away our ignorance and greed, our hatred and delusions.

From our study of the image of Fudõ Myõ-õ and his attributes we come to realise fudõshin (不動心) - the immovable mind. Fudõshin doesn’t mean the immobility of a stone or mountain. The mind which is able to move about freely, not disturbed or distracted, not tarrying at any point has fudõshin.

Fudõ Myõ-õ symbolises the mind that does not move, the body that does not unsettle. Not unsettling means not staying with anything. Seeing something and not allowing the mind to to get caught up in it is fudõshin. Fudõ Myõ-õ is the embodiment of immovable wisdom, with a firmness of spirit and determination to destroy evil.

“Simply focus on the Niõ and Fudõ Myõ-õ and practice Niõ zazen.
Initially think of the Niõ as the entrance to understanding the Buddha Dharma and of Fudõ Myõ-õ as the first step in realising.
That’s why the Niõ stand at the gate of temples and Fudõ Myõ-õ is the first of the thirteen Buddha representations.
If you don’t acquire this vital energy you’ll yield to delusion. You need only apply yourself single-mindedly with a strong spirit.”
- Suzuki Shõsan Rõshi