A mudra is a gesture made by the hand and fingers to symbolize the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism. Buddha mudras are gestures of their spirits that call the deities during worship or during moments when they meditate.

Buddha Mudras demonstrate that the non-verbal form of communication is often more effective than the spoken one. The hand and fingers of Buddha images or even meditating monks are posed to symbolize a lot of things including divine powers and manifestation.

These hand positions or Buddha mudras are mostly seen in sculptures and paintings of the Buddha in countries like China, Korea, Japan, India, and Tibet. These finger postures are believed to invoke the deities.

Buddha Mudras give meanings to the five fingers as well. Each finger, starting from the thumb, represents elements that surround us: sky, wind, fire, water, and earth. Humans can appeal to the deities by using any combination of finger poses.

These days, mudras are also illustrated in dance movements. The art of symbolical gestures has made Indian Classical dances more potent and enduring.

There are different Buddha Mudras. Here are some that are used in some sculptures:

1. Vitarka Mudra – Intellectual Arguments

This gesture signifies appeasement during debates or arguments. The Buddha’s tips of the thumb and index finger are touching so that it forms a circle. The rest of the fingers point up. A variation of this gesture is having the middle finger and thumb touch to symbolize compassion. In addition, good fortune could be called by letting the tip of the thumb touch the ring finger.

In this mudra; the right hand points upward, the left downward; both palms are tuned outward. The thumb and index finger of each hand form a circle. The right hand is at shoulder level, the left at the level of the hips. In a variant of this teaching gesture, the left hand rests palm upward in the lap, and the right hand is raised to shoulder level with its thumb and index finger forming a circle. In a further form of this mudra, the index finger and little fingers of both hands are fully extended, the middle and ring fingers somewhat curved inward. The left hand points upward, the right downward.

Please visit Our online Statues Catalogue with Vitaraka Mudra Posture

Please visit Our online Statues Catalogue with Vitaraka Mudra Posture

2. Dharmachakra Mudra – Preach and Teach

This Buddha Mudra refers to the moment after Buddha was enlightened and started preaching his first sermon. It depicts the motion of the Dharmachakra, which is Sanskrit for the Wheel of Dharma. Dharma refers to a virtuous path.

In this mudra; the left palm is tuned inward (toward the body), the right outward, and the circles formed by the thumbs and index fingers of each hand touch one another.

Both hands have the thumb touching the index fingers to form a circle. This represents the Wheel of Dharma and refers to the union of wisdom with method or system.

On the right hand, the three other fingers that point upwards represent the three vehicles of the teachings of Buddha: the hearers (middle finger), the solitary realizers (ring finger), and the Mahayana or great vehicle (little finger).

The left hand fingers that are upward signify the three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Both hands are placed in front of the heart to show that the teachings came straight from the Buddha’s heart.

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3. Bhumisparsha Mudra – Witness the Enlightenment

This is the Buddha Mudra known as the “earth witness.” All five fingers of the right hand are extended to touch the ground and are rested on the knee. This symbolizes the enlightenment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree when he called upon the earth goddess, Sthavara.

In this mudra; the left hand rests palm upward in the lap; the right hand, hanging over the knee, palm inward, points to the earth. Sometimes the left hand holds a begging bowl. This is the gesture with which the Buddha summoned the Earth as witness to his realization of buddhahood. It is considered a gesture of unshakability; thus Akshobhya (the Unshakable) is usually depicted with this mudra.

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4. Varada Mudra – Compassion for others

Made with the left hand with the arm hanging at the side. The palm is open and faces forward with the fingers extended. These fingers are symbols for generosity, morality, patience, effort, and meditative concentration.

In this mudra; the right hand, palm facing out, is directed downward. When Shakyamuni is depicted with this mudra, it symbolizes summoning Heaven as witness to his buddhahood. This mudra is also seen in representations of Ratnasambhava. In a variant, the thumb and index finger of the downward extended hand touch one another. Frequently the abhaya and varada mudras are combined: the right hand makes the gesture of fearlessness, the left that of wish granting.

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5. Dhyana Mudra – Meditation and Concentration

This Buddha Mudra can be made with either one or both hands. Using a single hand, the left hand is placed on the lap and right could be elsewhere. Ritual objects can be placed on the open left palm. If using both hands, the hands are placed at the stomach level resting on the thighs. Right hand should be over the left hand, palms face up and fingers extended. This is used during meditation.

In this mudra, the back of the right hand rests on the palm of the other in such a way that the tips of the thumbs lightly touch one another. The hands rest in the lap. The right hand, resting on top, symbolizes the state of enlightenment; the other hand, resting below, the world of appearance. This gesture expresses overcoming the world of appearance through enlightenment, as well as the enlightened state of mind for which samsara and nirvana are one. In a special form of this mudra, the middle, ring, and little fingers of both hands lie on top one another and the thumbs and index finger of each hand, touching each other, form a circle, which here also symbolizes the world of appearance and the true nature of reality.

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6. Abhaya Mudra – Protection and Security

Abhaya is Sanskrit for fearless. This Buddha Mudra symbolizes peace, protection and security. Right hand is raised to shoulder level with elbow bent. Palm faces forward and fingers are closed together pointing upward. The left hand lies at the side.

In this mudra; the right hand is raised to shoulder height with fingers extended and palm turned outward. This is the gesture of the Buddha Shakyamuni immediately after attaining enlightenment.

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7. Uttarabodhi Mudra – Best and Perfection

This Uttarabodhi Mudra can be made with both hands are held at the level of the chest, the two raised index fingers touch one another, the remaining fingers are crossed and folded down.; the thumbs touch each other at the tips or are also crossed and folded. This mudra is frequently seen in images of Vairochana.

In this mudra; both hands are held at the level of the chest, the two raised index fingers touch one another, the remaining fingers are crossed and folded down.; the thumbs touch each other at the tips or are also crossed and folded. This mudra is frequently seen in images of Vairochana.

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8. Vajra Mudra - Mudra of Supreme Wisdom

The right index finger is grasped by the five fingers of the left hand. This mudra, characteristic of Vairochana, is the subject of many interretations in esoteric Buddhism, most which have to do with the relationship between the empirical world of manifoldness and the principle that is its basis-the unified world principle, the realization of unity in the manifold as embodied in Buddha.

In this mudra; the fingertips of the hands are crossed. This is gesture of unshakable confidence.

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9. Anjali Mudra

In Anjali mudra; the palms are held together at the level of the chest. This is the customary gesture of greeting in India. Used as a mudra, it expresses "suchness" (tahata).

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10. Vajrapradama Mudra

In this mudra; the fingertips of the hands are crossed. This is gesture of unshakable confidence.

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