#abhaya

Personnal project

Uh... Different what? 

Mudra. Mudra is a Sanskrit word for hand gesture. You might have noticed that not all Buddha statues look alike. Besides different regional variations, Buddha statues have different mudras to depict their meaning. Here’s three of the many different hand gestures you may come across...

1. Bhumisparsha Mudra (or Touching Earth Buddha)

This represents the moment of Buddha's attaining enlightenment. Literally Bhumisparsha translates into 'touching the earth'. It is more commonly known as the 'earth witness' mudra. 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.

2. Abhaya Mudra (or Fearlessness Buddha)

Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. Thus this mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright and joined. The left hand hangs down at the side of the body. In Thailand, and especially in Laos, this mudra is associated with the movement of the walking Buddha.

Here’s 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.

3. Vitarka Mudra (or Teaching Buddha)

It symbolizes the teaching phase of preaching in Buddhism. The circle formed by the thumb and the index finger symbolizes the constant flow of energy and information. Sometimes the middle finger and the thumb are seen touching each other which is taken as the mudra of great compassion. Similarly, the touching of the thumb and ring finger expresses the gesture of good fortune.