| Mudra, the Sanskrit word usually denotes a hand | | | | earth to bear witness to his attainment of |
| gestures and finger postures that are used in | | | | Enlightenment. To indicate this, he touched the earth |
| Buddhism. Such mudras are associated with the | | | | with his right hand as witness to his perfection. This |
| images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to represent | | | | gesture, called "touching the earth" (Bhumisparsa |
| different teachings and philosophy of Buddhism. | | | | Mudra), became Buddha Akshobhya's Mudra. |
| A statue or painting of buddha always illustrates | | | | Varada Mudra - Ratna Sambhava: Ratna Sambhava |
| Mudra. Among hundreds of mudras, the five | | | | is regarded as the third Dhyani Buddha in order. He |
| transcendental Buddha's also called "Dhyani Buddhas" | | | | represents the cosmic element of vedana (sensation). |
| or "Pancha Buddhas" bear the most important mudras. | | | | His recognition symbol is the jewel and he exhibits the |
| Five Mudras of Dhyani Buddhas and their meanings | | | | Varada Mudra. His right hand lies open near his right |
| are as follows: | | | | knee. His left hand is seen holding an alms bowl. In |
| Dharmachakra Mudra - Vairochana: Vairochana is | | | | Sanskrit, Varada means 'granting a boon'. The gesture |
| regarded as the first Dhyani Buddha in | | | | shows the right palm turned towards the receiver of |
| Nepalese-Tibetan Buddhism. He represents the cosmic | | | | boons, with the fingers pointed downwards. |
| element of Rupa (form). His two hands are held | | | | Dhyana Mudra - Amitabha Buddha: Amitabha Buddha |
| against the chest with the tips of the thumbs and | | | | is the most ancient Buddha among the Dhyani |
| forefingers of each hand united. This mudra is called | | | | Buddhas. He is said to reside in the Sukhabati heaven |
| Dharmachakra Mudra which is the gesture of | | | | in peaceful meditation. He is seated in a meditating |
| Teaching. Literally, Dharma means "Law" and Chakra | | | | position. This Mudra is called 'Dhyanamudra'. His palms |
| means wheel and usually interpreted turning the Wheel | | | | are joined together with the right on the left, two thumb |
| of Law. It is also gesture of hands exhibited by Lord | | | | fingers touching each other. An alms bowl is between |
| Buddha while preaching his first sermon at Sarnath. | | | | his two palms. Here the meditating hand gesture |
| Bhumisparsa mudra - Akshobhya: Akshobhya is | | | | represents the unity of wisdom and compassion. |
| regarded as the second Dhyani Buddha in Nepalese | | | | Abhaya Mudra - Amoghsiddhi: Amoghsiddhi is the fifth |
| Tibetan Buddhism. He represents the primodal cosmic | | | | Dhyani Buddha in order. He represents cosmic element |
| element of Vijnana (consiouness). Buddha Akshobhya | | | | of Samskar (Conformation). His left hand lies open on |
| can be seen sometimes riding on an elephant | | | | the lap and the right exhibits the Abhaya Mudra. The |
| symbolizing the steadfast nature of his Bodhisattva | | | | gesture of fearlessness and protection, usually shown |
| vows. His right hand displays the Bhumisparsa | | | | as the left hand with palm turned outward and all |
| (earth-touching) mudra. This hand gesture is linked with | | | | fingers extended upwards. The symbolic meaning of |
| the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. When Shakyamuni | | | | the dispelling fear pose is an interpretation of the action |
| Buddha was on the verge of ultimate Enlightenment, | | | | of preaching. It is said that one gains fearlessness by |
| he has to face both internal and external Maras. It is | | | | following the Bodhisattva path. |
| believed that Devaputra Mara questioned him on the | | | | Besides these major mudras there are hundreds of |
| validity of his attainment of Enlightenment and his | | | | other mudras. Click on the following link if you want to |
| perfection of Paramita. At that time, his only witness | | | | know more details or find relevant buddha statues. |
| was the earth. Buddha Shakyamuni asked mother | | | | |