Loulisa’s Indian Heritage

Different Mudras

Explanation of the different Mudras (hand gestures) represented in sculptures of the Buddha

The composition of a mudra is based on certain movements of the fingers; in other words, they constitute a highly stylized form of gestural communication. It is an external expression of ‘inner intention’, suggesting that such non-verbal communications are more powerful than the spoken word.

Another interesting significance of the mudra is that it reveals the secret imbued in the five fingers. In such a perspective, each of the fingers, starting with the thumb, is identified with one of the Five Elements: Sky, Wind, Fire, Water, and the Earth. Their contact with each other symbolizes the synthesis of these elements, significant because every form in this universe is felt to be composed of a unique combination of these elements. This contact between the various elements creates conditions favorable for the presence of the deity at rites performed to secure some desired object or benefit.

• Dharmachakra mudra – Gesture of teaching the Dharma
• Bhumisparsa mudra – Gesture of the Buddha’s taking the Earth as witness
• Dhyana Mudra or Samadhi Mudra – Gesture of meditation and concentration
• Abhaya Mudra – Gesture to assuage fear
• Varada mudra – Gesture of offering the gift of Dharma
• Vitarka mudra – Gesture of reasoned Exposition
• Anjali mudra- Gesture of requesting and veneration

Anjali Mudra

• Made with two hands joined vertically in front of the chest, as in the attitude of prayer.
• Evokes an offering of good feelings of one towards another
• Also indicates veneration if it is made at the level of the face
• This Mudra is reserved for praying figures – which often accompany a statue of the Buddha in the art of India or South East Asia.

Vitarka Mudra

The hand is held closer to the chest than in the Abhaya Mudra. The palm is facing outward. A circle is made with the index finger and the thumb. The other three fingers point upward. Initially made with the right hand, later on the gesture is often portrayed with both hands
Sometimes also substituted for the Dharmachakra Mudra

• Sometimes called “Mudra of Explanation”
• This Mudra is made with both hands in Abhaya and Varada, but with the thumbs touching the tips of the forefingers.
• Symbolises one of the phases of the teaching of the Buddha, that of discussion or dispensation of the Dharma.
• This is the Mudra that convinces listeners and leads them to conversion or enlightenment.
• Variant of the Mudra:
  Thumb may not completely touch the forefinger, or it may extend beyond it on the side

Varada Mudra

The hand lowered with the palm facing outward is the gesture of bestowing blessings or of giving charity. The hand is extended downward, palm out. Mostly on standing Buddha images, but sometimes also represented in the sitting position.

• Mudra offering, giving, welcome, charity, compassion and sincerity
• It is the Mudra of the accomplishment of the wish to devote oneself to human salvation
• It is nearly always made with the left hand
• Various variant of the Varada Mudra:
• Rarely used alone, usually in combination with another mudra made with the right hand often Abhaya.

Abhaya Mudra

• Symbolises protection, benevolence and peace, and the dispelling of fear
• Generally made with right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, the fingers upright and joined
• This mudra – appears to be a natural gesture, probably used in prehistoric times as a sign of good intentions
• The hands raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or peace
• Traditional Indian gesture of appeasement made by the Buddha when. He was attacked by an angry elephant, which immediately calmed the animal.