Different Mudras of Buddha| Important Points |

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About Mudras

Mudras are a non-verbal mode of communication and self-expression, consisting of hand gestures and finger postures.

It is an external expression of ‘inner resolve’, suggesting that such non-verbal communications are more powerful than the spoken word.
A Buddha image can have one of several common mudras, combined with different asanas.
The significance of these mudras can be gauged from the fact that each of the five transcendental (Dhyani) Buddhas is assigned one of these mudras, and they are invariably depicted in visual arts with this particular mudra only.

Different Mudras Of Buddha

Dharmachakra Mudra

Dharmachakra in Sanskrit means the ‘Wheel of Dharma’.
This mudra symbolizes the occasion when Buddha preached his first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath.
It thus denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching of the Dharma.
In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle.

This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method and wisdom.
The three extended fingers of the right hand represent the three vehicles of the Buddha’s teachings, namely:
- the middle finger represents the ‘hearers’ of the teachings
- the ring finger represents the ‘solitary realizers’
- the Little finger represents the Mahayana or ‘Great Vehicle’
The three extended fingers of the left hand symbolize the Three Jewels of Buddhism, namely, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
This mudra is displayed by the first Dhyani Buddha Vairochana.
Vairochana is believed to transform the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality.

Dhyan Mudra

The Dhyana mudra is the mudra of meditation, of concentration on the Good law, and of the attainment of spiritual perfection.

It is also known as Samadhi or Yoga Mudra.
The Dhyana mudra may be made with one or both hands.
When made with a single hand the left one is placed in the lap, while the right may be engaged elsewhere.
The left hand making the Dhyana mudra in such cases symbolizes the female left-hand principle of wisdom.
The thumbs touch to symbolize the union and enlightenment of masculine and feminine in mind, body, and spirit.
Ritual objects such as a text, or more commonly an alms bowl symbolizing renunciation, may be placed in the open palm of this left hand.
When made with both hands, the hands are generally held at the level of the stomach or on the thighs.
The right hand is placed above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the fingers extended.
In some cases the thumbs of the two hands may touch at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle.
This triangle is said to represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism, mentioned above, namely the Buddha himself, the Good Law, and the Sangha.

This mudra is displayed by the fourth Dhyani Buddha Amitabha, also known as Amitayus.
By meditating on him, the delusion of attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment.
The Dhyana mudra helps mortals achieve this transformation.
The dhyana (or meditation mudra) is commonly used in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, a path of compassion for all living beings.

Bhumisparsha Mudra

Literally Bhumisparsha translates into ‘touching the earth’.

Significance: ‘Calling the Earth to Witness the Truth’ and it represents the moment of Buddha attaining enlightenment.
It depicts the Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the earth.
This mudra, formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.
The right hand, placed upon the right knee in earth-pressing mudra, and complemented by the left hand-which is held flat in the lap in the dhyana mudra of meditation, symbolizes the union of method and wisdom, samasara and nirvana, and also the realizations of the conventional and ultimate truths.
It is in this posture that Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of Mara while meditating on Truth.

The second Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya is depicted in this mudra.
He is believed to transform the delusion of anger into mirror-like wisdom. It is this metamorphosis that the Bhumisparsha mudra helps in bringing about.

Abhaya Mudra

Buddhist tradition has an interesting legend behind this mudra: Devadatta, a cousin of the Buddha, through jealousy caused a schism to be caused among the disciples of Buddha. As Devadatta’s pride increased, he attempted to murder the Buddha. One of his schemes involved loosing a rampaging elephant into the Buddha’s path. But as the elephant approached him, Buddha displayed the Abhaya mudra, which immediately calmed the animal. Accordingly, it indicates not only the appeasement of the
senses, but also the absence of fear.

The Abhayamudra “gesture of fearlessness” represents protection, peace, benevolence, and the dispelling of fear.
The left hand is in the meditation (dhyana) mudra, while the right hand is upright with the palm facing outward. All fingers are pointing up towards the heavens. Typically the right hand is at chest or shoulder level.
In Gandhara art, it is seen when showing the action of preaching. It was also used in China during the Wei and Sui eras of the 4th and 7th centuries.
The Abhaya mudra is displayed by the fifth Dhyani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi.
Amoghasiddhi helps in overcoming the delusion of jealousy.
By meditating on him, the delusion of jealousy is transformed into the wisdom of accomplishment.
This transformation is hence the primary function of the Abhaya mudra.

Varada Mudra

This mudra symbolizes charity, compassion, and boon-granting.

This mudra represents the offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity.
It is the mudra of the accomplishment of the wish to devote oneself to human salvation.
It is nearly always made with the left hand and can be made with the arm hanging naturally at the side of the body, the palm of the open hand facing forward, and the fingers extended.
The five extended fingers in this mudra symbolize the following five perfections:
1. Generosity
2. Morality
3. Patience
4. Effort
5. Meditative concentration
Ratnasambhava, the third Dhyani Buddha displays this mudra.
Under his spiritual guidance, the delusion of pride becomes the wisdom of sameness.
The Varada mudra is the key to this transformation.

Vajra Mudra

It indicates knowledge.
This mudra is better known in Korea and Japan.

This mudra signifies the importance of knowledge or supreme wisdom.
This gesture denotes the fiery thunderbolt that symbolises the five elements—air, water, fire, earth, and metal.
It is performed with the help of right fist and left forefinger, which is placed by enclosing the erect forefinger of the left hand in the right fist with the tip of the right forefinger touching (or curled around) the tip of the left forefinger.
Knowledge is represented by the forefinger and the fist of the right hand protects it.

Vitarka Mudra

It signifies the discussion and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha.
It is just like the Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra but in this mudra the thumbs touch the index fingers.
The vitarka (teaching or discussion) mudra is used with Buddhist iconography to symbolize the transmission of the dharma, or the truth teachings of the Buddha.
In this mudra, the thumb and index fingers touch, creating a circle that symbolizes an uninterrupted flow of wisdom. The other three fingers pointing up towards the heavens with the palm facing outward. This is held at around chest level.
This mudra has a great number of variants in Mahayana Buddhism.

Anjali Mudra

It is also called Namaskara Mudra or Hridayanjali Mudra that represents the gesture of greeting, prayer and adoration.
Both hands close to the chest, palms and fingers join against each other vertically.
It is believed that true Buddhas (those who are enlightened) do not make this hand gesture and this gesture should not be shown in Buddha statues. This is for Bodhisattvas (who aim and prepare to attain perfect knowledge).

Jnana Mudra

The Jñāna mudrā (“mudra of wisdom”) is done by touching the tips of the thumb and the index together, forming a circle, and the hand is held with the palm inward toward the heart.
The mudra represents spiritual enlightenment.

Karana Mudra

The karana mudrā is the mudra which expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.
It is made by raising the index and the little finger, and folding the other fingers.
This mudra is also known as tarjanī mudrā.
It signifies expelling demons and negative energy. The energy created by this mudra helps remove obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.

Uttarabodhi Mudra

This denotes the supreme enlightenment through connecting oneself with divine universal energy.
It is performed with the help of both the hands, which are placed at the heart with the index fingers touching and pointing upwards and the remaining fingers intertwined.
This Mudra is known for charging one with energy. It symbolises perfection.

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