1<!doctype html>� 2<html lang="en">� 3<head>� 4<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">� 5<meta charset="utf-8">� 6<TITLE>Hand Gestures of the Buddha - Mudras</TITLE>� 7<meta name="description" content="Buddha Iconography, Abhaya Mudra, Dhyana Mudra, Bhumisparsa Mudra, Vitarka, Varada, Dharmachakra, Hand Gestures of the Buddha">� 8<meta name="keywords" content="Six main mudras or hand gestures of the Buddha">� 9<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.buddha-images.com/meditation.asp">� 10<link href="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">� 11<link rel="stylesheet" href="buddha-images.css" type="text/css">�
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There are six main hand gestures of the Buddha in Thailand (and Asia).</p><p> </p>� 74� 75<div class="row col2"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><br><img src="PathomChedi/dhyana_mudra.jpg" align="right" alt="Buddha Iconography, Dhyana Mudra, Meditation" width="200" height="100" class="img-responsive"><p> </p></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Dhyana Mudra</span> symbolizes meditation. Both hands are in the lap with palms upward. The right hand is on top of the left hand. The Buddha is most seated in the half-lotus posture (sometimes called 'yoga', 'Indian', 'Buddha' posture). Some images display the Buddha in the so-called adamantine (diamond, or full-lotus) posture with tightly crossed legs, so that the soles of both feet are visible. <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/meditation.asp">More</a>.</p></div></div>� 76<p> </p>� 77� 78� 79� 80<div class="row col5"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><br><br><img src="PathomChedi/bhumisparsa_mudra.jpg" align="right" alt="Buddha Iconography, Bhumisparsa Mudra, Subduing Mara" width="150" height="200" class="img-responsive"></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p> </p><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Bhumisparsa Mudra</span> : Subduing Mara, Calling the Earth to Witness<br>� 81 The left hand lies in the lap, palm upward. The right hand bends over the right knee, with fingers slightly touching the ground. <br>� 82 During meditation, Siddhartha is subjected to many temptations many posed by the evil <em>Mara, </em>who bombards him with his demons , monsters, violent storms and his three seductive daughters. The Buddha remains steadfast. Then to testify to <em>Mara </em> of his meritorious past, he points to the earth with his hand and calls the Earth Goddess. Thorani, the Earth Goddess rises from the ground and wrings the water from her long black hair, by this action raising a torrential flood that drowns <em>Mara </em> and his army of demons. <br>� 83 This gesture symbolizes enlightenment, as well as steadfastness (imperturbability). It is easily the most common Buddha gesture in Thai wats. <a href="subduing-mara.asp">More</a>.</p></div></div>� 84 <p> </p> � 85 � 86<div class="row col2"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><img src="PathomChedi/abhaya_mudra.jpg" align="right" alt="Buddha Iconography, Abhaya Mudra, Fearlessness" width="120" height="200" class="img-responsive"><br></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Abhaya Mudra</span> - Imparting Fearlessness (Reassurance) <br>� 87 This gesture is made with the hand raised and the palm facing outwards, fingers extended pointing upward. The wrist is bent at a right angle with the forearm. The gesture is sometimes made with both hands. Sometimes the Abhaya Mudra is made with one hand, while another Mudra (such as Varuda Mudra) is made with the other hand.<br>� 88 The Buddha may be either standing, sitting or walking.� 89 <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/abhaya-mudra.asp">More</a>.<br></p> </div></div><p> </p>� 90<div class="row col5"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><br><br><img src="PathomChedi/pathomchedi22_hand.jpg" align="right" alt="Buddha Iconography, Vitarka Mudra, Teaching, Giving Instruction" width="150" height="200" class="img-responsive"></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p> </p><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Vitarka Mudra</span> - Teaching, Giving Instruction, Reason<br>� 91 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.<br>� 92 Common gesture in Dvaravati Buddha images.<br>� 93 Sometimes also substituted for the Dharmachakra Mudra (see below) <br>� 94 The Vitarka Mudra can be made while in sitting or standing position. <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/vitarka-mudra.asp">More</a>.</p></div></div><p> </p>� 95 � 96<div class="row col2"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><p> </p></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Dharmachakra Mudra</span> - Turning the Wheel of the Law in Motion.<br>� 97 Some gesture with both hands as in Vitarka Mudra. However the hands are generally held closer to the chest of the Buddha. However the fingers of the left hand rest against the palm of the right hand (as if turning the wheel, made by the index finger and thumb of the right hand). Rarely seen in this 'classic' representation in Thailand. <br>� 98 The Dharmachakra Mudra signifies the teaching of the first sermon of the Buddha at the Deer Park in Sarnath.</p></div></div><p> </p>� 99 � 100<div class="row col5"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4"><br><br><img src="PathomChedi/varada_mudra.jpg" align="right" alt="Buddha Iconography, Varada Mudra, Charity" width="150" height="200" class="img-responsive"><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"><p> </p><p align="justify"><span class="blue">Varada Mudra</span> - Symbolizing Charity.<br>� 101 The hand lowered with the palm facing outward
101is 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. <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/varada-mudra.asp">More</a>.<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></p></div></div>� 102� 103� 104 � 105 <p> </p>� 106 </div>� 107 <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3 col3"><p> </p>� 108 <p><img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/postures.asp" class="link">Characteristics and Postures of the Buddha</a> <br>� 109 </span> <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/sitting-buddha.asp" class="link">Sitting Buddhas</a><br>� 110 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/reclining-buddha.asp" class="link">� 111 Reclining Buddhas</a> <br> � 112 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/seven-days.asp" class="link">Seven Days of the Buddha</a> <br>� 113 <br><br />� 114 <span class="blue">Hand Gestures :</span><br> <br>� 115 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/hand-gestures.asp" class="link">The Six Main Mudras</a> <span class="bodyCopy"><br>� 116 </span><img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/meditation.asp" class="link">Dhyana Mudra</a> <br> � 117 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/subduing-mara.asp" class="link">Bhumisparsha Mudra</a> <br> � 118 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/abhaya-mudra.asp" class="link">Abhaya Mudra</a><br> � 119 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/vitarka-mudra.asp" class="link">Vitarka Mudra</a><br> � 120 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/varada-mudra.asp" class="link">Varada Mudra</a> <br>� 121 <br><br />� 122 <span class="blue">Historical Periods :</span><br><br> � 123 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/dvaravati.asp" class="link">Dvaravati</a> <br> � 124 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/khmer-lopburi.asp" class="link">Khmer-Lopburi</a> <br> � 125 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/chiangsaen.asp" class="link">Chiang Saen - Lanna</a> <br> � 126 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/sukhothai.asp" class="link">Sukhothai</a> <br> � 127 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/uthong.asp" class="link">U Thong</a> <br> � 128 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/ayutthaya.asp" class="link">Ayutthaya</a> <br>� 129 <br><br />� 130 <span class="blue">Historical Notes :<br><br> � 131 </span><img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/dvaravati-history.asp" class="link">Dvaravati </a><br> � 132 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/sukhothai-history.asp" class="link">Sukhothai</a><br>� 133 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/ayutthaya-history.asp" class="link">� 134 Ayutthaya</a><br><br />� 135 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/resources.asp" class="link">Resources</a><br>� 136 � 137 <br>� 138 <span class="blue">Temples in Thailand :<br><br> � 139 </span><img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/thaitemples.asp" class="link">Overview</a> <br> � 140 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/WatPho.asp" class="link">Wat Pho</a> <br> � 141 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/Wat-Benchamabophit.asp" class="link">Wat Benchamabophit</a> <br>� 142 <br><br />�
143 <span class="blue">Buddha Images at</span> : <br><br>� 144 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/phra-pathom-chedi.asp" class="link">Buddha Images at Wat Phra Pathom Chedi</a> <br> � 145 <br>� 146 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/buddhism.asp" class="link">Introduction to Buddhism in Thailand</a> <br>� 147 <br>� 148 <img src="images/arrow.gif" width="9" height="9"> <a href="https://www.buddha-images.com/10jatakas.asp" class="link">The 10 Jatakas (lives of the Buddha) as depicted in Thai mural Temple paintings</a> <br>� 149 </p>� 150 <p> </p>� 151 </div> </div>� 152 � 153 <div class="row"><div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col5"><br><br> � 154<p align="center">More about Thailand at ThaiWebsites.com : <a href="http://www.thaiwebsites.com/Xarticles.asp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Articles</a>, and <a href="http://www.thaiwebsites.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Web Directory</a><br> � 155Content by Guido Vanhaleweyk, Bangkok.</p><p> </p> </div></div>� 156� 157
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