Mudras of Buddha

The various hand mudras of Buddha, represents a different aspect of his teachings, and are much more than mere hand gestures in Buddhist practice. Buddha, originally Siddhartha Gautama, was a sage who founded Buddhism after achieving enlightenment. His teachings, symbolized by various hand positions called buddha mudras, form the backbone of Buddhist wisdom. These different mudras of buddha, like Bhumisparsha, Dhyana, Vitarka etc. hold immense significance in Buddhism. In this article, you will know about who was buddha and different buddha mudras and their meanings, which is important for GS Paper-1 Art & Culture of UPSC IAS Exam. To explore more interesting UPSC Art & Culture topics like Buddha Mudras, check out other articles and IAS Notes of IASToppers.

Table of Content

• Who is Buddha?
• What are Mudras of Buddha?
• Conclusion
• FAQs on mudra of Buddha

What is Mudra?

• It is a hand position used in Buddhist art and practice to stimulate specific mental states.

What are Mudras of Buddha?

Bhumisparsha Mudra of Buddha

• Frequently seen in Buddha statues.
• Depict buddha in a meditative pose with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the earth.
• Commonly associated with Akshobya, the blue Buddha.
• Represents Siddhartha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
• Also called “earth touching” or “earth witness” mudra.
• Believed to summon the earth goddess as a witness to Buddha’s enlightenment.
• Also symbolizes overcoming temptation and evil, personified by the demon king Mara, and challenge his supremacy.

Dhyana Mudra of Buddha

• Represents meditation, also called “Samadhi” or “Yoga” mudra.
• Both hands in the lap, right hand on top of the left, fingers extended.
• In many statues, thumbs may touch, forming a mystical triangle.
• Signifies spiritual perfection.
• Used by Buddha in his final meditation under the bodhi tree.
• Occasionally ritualistic objects such as a bowl of alms may be placed on hand. For instance, Medicine Buddha has a medicine bowl in his hands.
• A variant: Also Seen in Theravada Buddhism as Samadhi mudra, with index fingers and thumbs meeting.

Vitarka Mudra of Buddha

• Represents teaching, discussion, or intellectual debate.
• Thumb and index finger touch, forming a circle.
• Right hand at shoulder level, left hand in lap, palm up.
• Symbolizes the teaching phase of Buddhism.
• Circle formed by the thumb and index finger represents continuous energy flow, representing no beginning or end, only perfection.

Abhaya Mudra of Buddha

• Represents fearlessness, strength, and inner security.
• Right hand raised, palm facing outward, fingers together, left hand down by the side.
• Mudra shown by Buddha after achieving enlightenment.
• Associated with Amoghasiddhi, the fifth Dhyani-Buddha.
• When it is performed using only the right hand, the left hand usually hangs loosely by the side of the body or assumes the varada mudra. When it is made with the left hand, as is common in Theravada Buddhism, it is thought to denote a warning or a command to halt.

• Represents setting the wheel of Dharma in motion (Turning the Wheel of the Dharma or Law).
• Both hands involved, with a mystic circle formed by index fingers and thumbs.
• Right hand is held at chest level with the palm facing outwards.   
• Left hand is turned inward and the index finger and thumb of this hand join to touch the right hand’s circle.
• Exhibited by Buddha in his first sermon after enlightenment in the Deer Park of Sarnath.
• Associated with Vairochana, the first Dhyani-Buddha.
• 3 extended fingers represent 3 vessels, or yanas, of the Mahayana Buddhism tradition, while those of the left hand denote the capacities for following these yanas.
• Symbolizes conveying teachings and gaining wisdom.

Anjali Mudra of Buddha

• Represents greeting, devotion, and adoration.
• Both hands together, palms and fingers vertical.
• Commonly used in India as Namaste.
• Signifies adoration of the superior and is considered a sign of regards with deep respect.
• Believed that true Buddhas (those who are enlightened) do not make this gesture. This is for Bodhisattvas (who aim and prepare to attain perfect knowledge).
• In Eastern forms of Buddhism, a gem is held between the palms in this mudra by Shadakshari Lokeshvara (or four-armed Avalokiteshvara).

Uttarabodhi Mudra of Buddha

• Represents supreme enlightenment.
• Hands at chest level, fingers intertwined except index fingers, which point upward and touch.
• Charges one with energy and symbolizes perfection.
• Shakyamuni Buddha (liberator of Nagas) uses this mudra.

Varada Mudra of Buddha

• Represents charity, compassion, or granting wishes.
• Can be depicted or performed in both the sitting and standing positions
• Right arm extended, palm open and facing outward.
• If standing, the arm is held slightly extended to the front. Can be a lefthand gesture as well.
• Five fingers signify five perfections: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Effort and Meditative Concentration.
• Associated with Ratnasambhava, the third Dhyani-Buddha.
• Common in Southeast Asia, also called “boon-granting” or dana mudra.
• Although this mudra is also linked to the aspect of salvation and deliverance.

Karana Mudra of Buddha

• Represents warding off evil.
• Hand outstretched, either horizontally or vertically, thumb pressing two middle fingers, index and little fingers raised.
• Symbolizes expelling demons and negative energy.
• Believed to remove obstacles like illness or negative thoughts.

Vajra Mudra of Buddha

• Represents knowledge.
• More common in Korea and Japan.
• Left forefinger held in right fist.
• Also seen in the mirror-inverted form.
• Symbolizes the importance of knowledge or supreme wisdom.
• Right fist protects knowledge represented by the forefinger.

Conclusion

The various hand mudra of Buddha, represents a different aspect of his teachings, and are much more than mere hand gestures in Buddhist practice. Mudras of Buddha are a means to channelize distinct mental states and symbolize spiritual concepts, thus playing a significant role in advancing one’s path to enlightenment and understanding the depth of Buddhist wisdom.

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