Mudra

Note: This page deals with the use of Mudras in Indic Religions. For mudras as used in Indian Classical Music, see Mudra (music).

In Hinduism, a mudra (Sanskrit, literally "seal") is a symbolic gesturemade with the hand or fingers. Along with asanas (postures), they are employed in yogameditation practice. Each mudra has a specific meaning, and they are a central part of Hindu iconography. With the onset of Buddhism, many mudra practices were absorbed into the culture. Common hand gestures are to be seen in both Hindu and Buddhist iconography. An example would be the outward-facing open palm known as Abhay (without fear) mudra, a gesture meant to dispel the fear of the devotee.

Abhaya Mudra

Abhaya Mudra represents protection, peace, benevolence, and dispelling of fear. In the Theravadait 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 joined and the left hand hanging down on the right side of the body while standing. In Thailandand Laosthis mudra is associated with the walking Buddha often shown having both hands making a double Abhaya mudra that is uniform. The mudra was probably used before the onset of Buddhism as a symbol of good intentions proposing friendship when approaching strangers. In GandharaArt it is seen used during showing the action of preaching and also seen in China during the Weiand Suieras of the 4th and 7th centuries. The gesture was used by the Buddha when attacked by an elephant subduing it in shown several frescoesand scripts. In Mahayanathe northern schools deities were often used it with another mudra paired by the other hand. In Japan when the Abhaya Mudra is used with the middle finger slightly projected forward it is a symbol of the ShingonSect. (Japanese- Semui-in; Chinese- Shiwuwei Yin)

Bhumisparsa Mudra

Bhumisparsa Mudra literally represents the Buddhaas taking the earth as witness. It represents the moment when Buddha took the earth as testimony when he had resolved the problem of cessation of suffering while he was under the papal tree at Bodh-Gaya. Usually represented by the historical Buddha and Aksobhyasitting in the lotus position. The right hand touches the ground with the fingertips near the right knee extended or with only the index pointing down touching the ground with the left hand commonly resting on the lap with the palm facing up. It can also represent the subjugation of the demon horde of Mara. Aksobhya is often seen using this mudra while clutching part of his rode with his left hand. In Korea confusion of the high period led to rare imagery where Amitabhawas using the Bhumisparas Mudra. (Japanese- Goma-in, Anzan-in, Anchi-in, Sokuchi-in; Chinese- Chudi Yin)

Dharmacakra Mudra

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The Dharmacakra Mudra represents a central moment in the life of Buddha when he preached his first sermon after his Enlightenment, in Deer Park in Sarnath. Gautama Buddhais generally only shown making this Mudra, save Maitreyaas the dispenser of the Law. This Mudra position represents the turning of the wheel of the law. Dharmacakra Mudra is formed when two hands close together in front of the chest in Vitarka having the right palm forward and the left palm upward, sometimes facing the chest. There are several variants such as in the frescoes of Ajanta, India the two hands are separated, and the fingers do not touch. In the Indo-Greekstyle of Gandharathe clenched fist of the right hand seemingly overlie the fingers joined to the thumb on the left hand. In pictorials of Horyu-jiin Japan the right hand is superimposed on the left. Certain figures of Amitabha, Japan are seen using this mudra before the 9th century. (Japanese: Tenborin-in, Chikichi-jo, Hoshin-seppo-in; Chinese: Juanfalun Yin)

Dhyana Mudra

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The Dhyana Mudra is the gesture of meditation, of the concentration of the Good Law and the Sangha. The 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 Triratna, the three jewels. This Mudra is used in representations of the Buddha Shakyamuniand the Buddha Amitabha. Sometimes the Dhyana Mudra is used in certain representations of Bhaisajyaguru as the Medicine Buddha, with a medicine bowl placed on the hands. It originated in India most likely in the Gandharaand in China during the Weiperiod. This mudra was used long before the Buddha as yoginshave used it during their concentration, healing, and mediation exercises. It is heavily used in Southeast Asia in TheravadaBuddhism however the thumbs are placed against the palms. (Dyana Mudra, Samadhi Mudra, Yoga Mudra; Japnese- Jo-in, Jokai Jo-in; Chinese- Ding Yin)

Varda Mudra

The Varda Mudra 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 crooked 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. The Varda Mudra is rarely seen without using another mudra used by the right hand, typically with the Abhaya Mudra. It is often confused with the Vitarka Mudra, which it closely resembles. In Chinaand Japanduring the Weiand Asukaperiods respectively the fingers are stiff and then gradually begin to loosen as it developed through time, eventually leading to the Tang Dynastywere the fingers are naturally curved. In Indiathe mudra is used in images of Avalokitesvarafrom the GuptaPeriod of the 4th and 5th centuries. The Varda mudra is extensively used in the statues of Southeast Asia. (Japanese- Yogan-in, Segan-in, Seyo-in; Chinese- Shiynan Yin)

Vajra Mudra

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The Vajra Mudra is the gesture of knowledge. It is made making a fist with the right hand, index extending upward, and the left hand also making a fist and enclosing the index.

Vitarka Mudra

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The Vitarka Mudra is the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching. It is done by joining the tips of the thumb and the index together, and keeping the other fingers straight very much like Abhaya and Varada Mudras but with the thumbs touching the index fingers. This mudra has a great number of variants in MahayanaBuddhism in East Asia. In Tibetit is the mystic gesture of Tarasand Bodhisattvaswith some differences by the deities in Yab-yum. (Sanskrit- Prajnalinganabhinaya, Vyakhyana mudra; Japanese- Seppo-in, An-i-in; Chinese- Anwei Yin)

External links

• A description of a few Hindu mudras
• Exotic Indian Art website article, in-depth, on Hindu mudra Namaskar/Namaste
• Mudras in Buddhism
• Mudras of the Great Buddha: Symbolic Gestures and Postures
• The Ten Most Important Mudras (with Pop up)
• About Yoga Mudras
• Many Yoga Mudras to Try. Home of Mudra Makers
• View mudras with mudra slide showde:Mudra

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudra Wikipedia article Mudra.