Mudras

Some commonly used mudras are:

GUYAN MUDRA: The tip of the thumb touches the tip of the index finger,
stimulating knowledge and ability. The index finger is symbolized by Jupiter,
and the thumb represents the ego. Guyan Mudra imparts receptivity calm.
ACTIVE GUYAN MUDRA: The first !oint of the index finger is bent under
the first !oint of the thumb, imparting active knowledge.
SHUNI MUDRA: Tip of middle finger "symbolized by #aturn$ touches the tip
of the thumb, giving patience.
SURYA or RAVI MUDRA: Tip of the ring finger "symbolized by %ranus or
the #un$ touches the tip of the thumb, giving energy, health and intuition.
BUDDHI MUDRA: Tip of little finger "Mercury$ touches tip of thumb for clear
and intuitive communication.
VENUS LOCK: &nterlace fingers with left little finger on the bottom, with the right index finger on top for
men and the left for women. The 'enus mounds at the base of the thumbs are pressed together
channeling sensuality and sexuality, and glandular balance, helping to focus and concentrate.
JUPITER MUDRA: "below right$. (ith the the two index fingers together, the power of Jupiter, or good
luck and expansion is activated. Together they focus your energy to break through barriers.
PRAYER MUDRA: )alms are pressed together, neutralizing and
balancing yin yang, for centering.
BEAR GRIP: *eft palm faces out from body with thumb down, and right palm
faces body, thumb up, and fingers are curled and hooked together to
stimulate the heart and intensify concentration.
BUDDHA MUDRA: +ight hand rests on left for men, left on right for
women, palms up, thumbs tips touching each other in a receptive gesture.
abhaya-mudr
(Sanskrit, gesture of fearlessness). Iconographic hand gesture (mudr ) whose purpose is to dispel fear and communicate protection,
benevolence, and peace. Commonly found in representations of the Buddha and celestial Bodhisattvas, where the figure is usually
depicted standing with the right arm bent, the palm raised and facing forwards, and the fingers oined. !his gesture is rare among
figures of lower status. !here are many variations in which the left hand is also used, such as the double abhaya"mudr found in
south"east #sia, or in combination with various left"hand mudr s, although this is more common in east #sia.
abhaya-mudr
(Sanskrit a seal) 1. # symbolic gesture of the hands or bodily posture communicating a specific meaning. $rom the earliest artistic
representations onwards, Buddhas are always depicted with their hands in certain standard mudr%s, the most important being the
&wheel of the 'harma( (dharma"ca)ra"mudr%), the first finger and thumb of each hand forming a circle* the earth"touching mudr%
(bh+mi"spar,a"mudr%), the right hand touching the earth calling it to witness the Buddha-s enlightenment (bodhi)* and the gesture of
protection or fearlessness (abhaya"mudr%), the right arm e.tended with palm facing forwards. !he repertoire of hand mudr%s in
Buddhist iconography is e.tensive, and is a )ey to identifying the figures depicted. Mudr%s become increasingly important in
Mah%y%na and particularly in /aray%na Buddhism, where they are associated with a dense symbolism of signs and mystical sounds
(mantras).
2. In /aray%na Buddhism, mudr% also denotes the imagery used in any meditation or visuali0ation practice to imprint certain 1ualities
upon or to modify the practitioner, ust as a seal leaves an identical impression on clay or paper. In this sense, four )inds of mudr% are
mentioned in connection with yoga"tantra22 mah%mudr%, dharma"mudr%, samaya"mudr% and )arma"mudr%.
dharma-cakra-mudr
Buddhist 3ymbols
3ince the ma)ing of human images of the Buddha was considered sacrilegious for a long time, Buddhist visual art has produced an
elaborate vocabulary of symbolic and iconic forms of e.pressions. # great variety of Buddhist symbols is found in temples and in
Buddhist visual art and literature. !he following eight figures are among the more common ones. !he lotus, the wheel, and the stupa
can be seen in almost every Buddhist temple. 4ne may understand these symbols as visual mantras. Contemplating these figures is an
e.ercise in meditation to establish inner contact with the aspect that is represented.
Lotus
Flower
5adma " 3ymbol of
5urity. Can be of any
colour e.cept blue.

Dharmachakra
!he wheel of the law. !he
eight spo)es represent the
eightfold path.

Stupa
!he stupa is a symbolic grave
monument where relics or the ashes
of a holy mon) are )ept. It also
symbolises the universe.

Triratana
!he three ewels " the Buddha,
the 'hamma, and the 3angha.

hattra
# parasol " protection
against all evil* high
ran).

Dh!a"a
Banner " the victory of the
Buddha-s teachings.
Deer
!he deer "usually in pairs"
symbolises the first sermon of the
Buddha which was held in the deer
par) of Benares.

#a$a
!he sna)e )ing. /estige of pre"
Buddhist fertility rituals and
protector of the Buddha and the
'hamma.

Mudras
Images of the Buddha were produced from the fifth century onwards. !he sacred nature of the representation is reflected in the artistic
goal of creating an aura of e1uanimity, perfection, and holiness. !he large number of rules governing the e.ecution of a portrayal or a
statue re1uire an erudite understanding of Buddhist symbolism. #ny Buddha figure made by a s)illed artist e.hibits a multitude of
characteristics that communicate subtle meanings and intentions to the viewer. !he most important of these characteristics are perhaps
the mudras, or hand gestures, of the Buddha. !hese well"defined gestures have a fi.ed meaning throughout all styles and periods of
Buddha images.
%humisparsa &udra
!ouching the earth as
6autama did, to invo)e the
earth as witness to the truth of
his words.

'arada
&udra
$ulfilment of all wishes*
the gesture of charity.

Dhyana &udra
!he gesture of absolute balance, of
meditation. !he hands are rela.ed
in the lap, and the tips of the
thumbs and fingers touch each
other. 7hen depicted with a
begging bowl this is a sign of the
head of an order.

(bhaya
&udra
6esture of reassurance,
blessing, and protection.
8'o not fear.8

Dharmachakra &udra
!he gesture of teaching
usually interpreted as turning
the 7heel of 9aw. !he hands
are held level with the heart,
the thumbs and inde. fingers
form circles.

'itarka
&udra
Intellectual argument,
discussion. !he circle
formed by the thumb and
inde. finger is the sign of
the 7heel of 9aw.

Tar"ani &udra
!hreat, warning. !he e.tended
inde. finger is pointed at the
opponent.

#amaskara
&udra
6esture of greeting, prayer,
and adoration. Buddhas no
longer ma)e this gesture
because they do not have to
show devotion to anything.

)nana &udra
!eaching. !he hand is held at
chest level and the thumb and
inde. finger again form the
7heel of 9aw.

*arana
&udra
6esture with which
demons are e.pelled.

*sepana &udra
!wo hands together in the gesture
of -sprin)ling- the nectar of
immortality.

+ttarabodhi
&udra
!wo hands placed together
above the head with the
inde. fingers together and
the other fingers
intertwined. !he gesture of
supreme enlightenment.
Dhy,na &udr,
Abhaya Mudr
:orea-s ;ational !reasure no. <<=. !he right hand shows the fear"not gesture while the left is in the /arada (wish"granting gesture).
!he Abhaya mudr (8mudr% of no"fear8) represents protection, peace, benevolence, and dispelling of fear. In the !herav%da it is
usually made with the right hand raised to the shoulder-s height, the arm bent and the palm facing outward with the fingers upright and
oined and the left hand hanging down on the right side > while standing. In !hailand and 9aos this mudr% is associated with the
wal)ing Buddha often shown having both hands ma)ing a double #bhaya mudr% that is uniform. !he mudr% was probably used before
the onset of Buddhism as a symbol of good intentions proposing friendship when approaching strangers. In 6andh%ra #rt it is seen
when showing the action of preaching and also seen in China during the 7ei and 3ui eras of the ?th and @th centuries. !he gesture was
used by the Buddha when attac)ed by an elephant, subduing it as shown in several frescoes and scripts. In Mah%y%na the northern
schools- deities often used it with another mudr% paired with the other hand. In Aapan when the #bhaya mudr% is used with the middle
finger slightly proected forward it is a symbol of the 3hingon 3ect. (AapaneseB Semui-in* ChineseB Shiwuwei Yin)
Ccitation neededD
[edit] Bhmispara Mudr
Buddha at 3eo)guram 6rotto in 3outh :orea.
!he Bhmispara mudr (8earth"touching mudr%8) literally represents the Buddha as ta)ing the earth as witness. It represents the
moment when Buddha too) the earth as testimony when he had resolved the problem of cessation of suffering while he was under the
peepal tree at Bodh"6aya. Esually represented by the historical Buddha and #) obhya sitting in the lotus position. !he right hand
touches the ground with the fingertips near the right )nee e.tended or with only the inde. pointing down touching the ground with the
left hand commonly resting on the lap with the palm facing up. It can also represent the subugation of the demon horde of M%ra.
#)obhya is often seen using this mudr% while clutching part of his robe with his left hand. In :orea confusion of the high period led
to rare imagery where #mit%bha was using the Bh+mispar,a mudr%. (AapaneseB !"ma-in, An#an-in, Anchi-in, Sokuchi-in* ChineseB
$hudi Yin)
Ccitation neededD
[edit] Dharmacakra Mudr
!he %harmacakra mudr represents a central moment in the life of Buddha when he preached his first sermon after his
Fnlightenment, in 'eer 5ar) in 3arnath. 6autama Buddha is generally only shown ma)ing this mudr%, save Maitreya as the dispenser
of the 9aw. !his Mudr% position represents the turning of the wheel of the 'harma. 'harmaca)ra mudr% is formed when two hands
close together in front of the chest in /itar)a having the right palm forward and the left palm upward, sometimes facing the chest.
!here are several variants such as in the frescoes of #anta, India the two hands are separated, and the fingers do not touch. In the
Indo"6ree) style of 6andh%ra the clenched fist of the right hand seemingly overlie the fingers oined to the thumb on the left hand. In
pictorials of GHry+"i in Aapan the right hand is superimposed on the left. Certain figures of #mit%bha, Aapan are seen using this mudr%
before the =th century. (AapaneseB &enb"rin-in, $hikichi-'", (oshin-sepp"-in* ChineseB )uanfalun Yin)
[edit] Dhyna Mudr
Gands of #mit%bha statue at :Hto)u"in in :ama)ura
!he %hyna mudr (8meditation mudr%8) is the gesture of meditation, of the concentration of the 6ood 9aw and the sa gha . !he two
hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with fingers fully stretched and the palms facing upwards, forming a triangle, symbolic
of the spiritual fire or the !riratna, the three ewels. !his mudr% is used in representations of the I%)yamuni Buddha and #mit%bha
Buddha. 3ometimes the 'hy%na mudr% is used in certain representations of Bhaiayaguru as the Medicine Buddha, with a medicine
bowl placed on the hands. It originated in India most li)ely in the 6andh%ra and in China during the 7ei period. !his mudr% was used
long before the Buddha as yogis have used it during their concentration, healing, and meditation e.ercises. It is heavily used in
3outheast #sia in !herav%da Buddhism however the thumbs are placed against the palms. ('hy%na mudr% is also )nown as Samdhi
mudr or Yoga mudr* AapaneseB )"-in, )"kai )"-in* ChineseB %ing Yin.)
[edit] Varada Mudr
!he *arada mudr (8favourable mudr%8) signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. It is nearly always
used with the left hand for those whom devote oneself to human salvation. It can be made with the arm croo)ed the palm offered
slightly turned up or in the case of the arm facing down the palm presented with the fingers upright or slightly bent. !he /arada mudr%
is rarely seen without using another mudr% used by the right hand, typically with the #bhaya mudr%. It is often confused with the
/itar)a mudr%, which it closely resembles. In China and Aapan during the 7ei and #su)a periods respectively the fingers are stiff and
then gradually begin to loosen as it developed through time, eventually leading to the !ang 'ynasty were the fingers are naturally
curved. In India the mudr% is used in images of #valo)ite,vara from the 6upta 5eriod of the ?th and Jth centuries. !he /arada mudr%
is e.tensively used in the statues of 3outheast #sia. (AapaneseB Yogan-in, Segan-in, Seyo-in* ChineseB Shiynan Yin.)
[edit] Vajra Mudr
/ara Mudr%
!he *a'ra mudr (8thunder mudr%8) is the gesture of )nowledge. It is made ma)ing a fist with the right hand, inde. e.tending upward,
and the left hand also ma)ing a fist and enclosing the inde.. # good e.ample of the application of the /ara mudr% is the seventh
techni1ue (out of nine) of the +ine Syllable Seals, using the mudr% with mantras in a ritual application. Gere
Ccitation neededD
is a video of a
3ans)rit prayer to set the mind in a sacred state, followed by a 1uic) version of the ku'i-in ritual, using the Aapanese )ani
pronunciation (3ans)rit mantras are usually offered to the serious see)er).
[edit] Vitarka Mudr
/itar)a mudr%, !arim Basin, =th century
!he *itarka mudr (8mudr% of discussion8) is the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching. It is done by oining
the tips of the thumb and the inde. together, and )eeping the other fingers straight very much li)e #bhaya and /arada mudr%s but with
the thumbs touching the inde. fingers. !his mudr% has a great number of variants in Mah%y%na Buddhism in Fast #sia. In !ibet it is
the mystic gesture of !%r%s and Bodhisattvas with some differences by the deities in Kab"yum. (/itar)a mudr% is also )nown as
,ra'-liganabhinaya, *ykhyna mudr (8mudr% of e.planation8)* AapaneseB Sepp"-in, An-i-in* ChineseB Anwei Yin.)
[edit] Jnana Mudr
!he )-ana mudr (8mudr% of )nowledge8) is done by touching the tips of the thumb and the inde. together, forming a circle, and the
hand is held with the palm inward toward the heart.
C<D
[edit] Karana Mudr
Aoseon 'ynasty figure on the left ma)es the :arana mudr%.
!he .arana mudr is the mudr% which e.pels demons and removes obstacles such as sic)ness or negative thoughts. It is made by
raising the inde. and the little finger, and folding the other fingers. It is the same as the rude gesture )nown as corna in many western
countries. (!his mudr% is also )nown as &ar'an/ mudr* AapaneseB 0unnu-in, 0ud"-in)