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    Buda Mudras

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    Chururin
    Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals that were introduced from India in the 8th century AD. Mudras represent spiritual attributes and became part of a ritual language involving mantras, hand gestures, and ritual objects. Different mudras have specific meanings based on the positioning of the hands and fingers. Examples described include the Abhaya mudra representing protection and reassurance, the Bhumisparsa mudra symbolizing Buddha's victory over temptation, and the Anjali mudra indicating prayer and reverence.

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    Buda Mudras

    Uploaded by

    Chururin
    137 views2 pages
    Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals that were introduced from India in the 8th century AD. Mudras represent spiritual attributes and became part of a ritual language involving mantras, hand gestures, and ritual objects. Different mudras have specific meanings based on the positioning of the hands and fingers. Examples described include the Abhaya mudra representing protection and reassurance, the Bhumisparsa mudra symbolizing Buddha's victory over temptation, and the Anjali mudra indicating prayer and reverence.

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    Buda mudras

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    Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals that were introduced from India in the 8th century AD. Mudras represent spiritual attributes and became part of a ritual language involving mantras, hand gestures, and ritual objects. Different mudras have specific meanings based on the positioning of the hands and fingers. Examples described include the Abhaya mudra representing protection and reassurance, the Bhumisparsa mudra symbolizing Buddha's victory over temptation, and the Anjali mudra indicating prayer and reverence.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    137 views2 pages

    Buda Mudras

    Uploaded by

    Chururin
    Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals that were introduced from India in the 8th century AD. Mudras represent spiritual attributes and became part of a ritual language involving mantras, hand gestures, and ritual objects. Different mudras have specific meanings based on the positioning of the hands and fingers. Examples described include the Abhaya mudra representing protection and reassurance, the Bhumisparsa mudra symbolizing Buddha's victory over temptation, and the Anjali mudra indicating prayer and reverence.

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    MUDRAS: SYMBOLIC HAND GESTURES

    Tibetan Buddhist deities are often represented with hands and fingers in ritual poses, symbolic of their
    attributes. "Mudra" is the Sanskrit term for the symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist rituals and
    accordingly in the iconography. Mudras were introduced into Tibet by Padmasambhava, an Indian
    scholar, in the 8th century A.D. They became part of a ritual language, involving the use of mantras,
    mudras, and the thunderbolt scepter, or vajra, that, in Tibet, was known only to the higher initiates. A
    Mantra, such as the sacred syllable "Om", had to first be visualized, then pronounced as sound, and
    finally expressed physically through hand gestures, or mudras. Thus thought, speech and body, the
    three vehicles for the Divine Presence, are called into activity. Through these, one can reach samadhi,
    the highest state of consciousness. A corresponding idea is inherent in the Tibetan Buddhist Triad, or
    Three Jewels, which consists of Buddha, symbolizing Divine Wisdom, the Dharma, or Law,
    representing the word, or verbal teachings, and the Sangha (clergy), standing for the body of
    Buddhism. Each hand and each finger has a particular significance. The right hand, for example, is
    associated with the moon and male principles. It stands for the spiritual method. The left hand is
    associated with the sun and female principles. It stands for spiritual wisdom.

    Examples of the various mudras can be seen on many statues in the Jacques Marchais Museum of
    Tibetan Art collections and in the museum's catalogue, Treasures of Tibetan Art . Below is a brief
    description of several mudras.

    Protection; Reassurance; Blessing (Abhaya)

    This mudra refers to an episode in Buddha's life when a drunken elephant, sent by
    the malevolent demon Devadatta, threatened to crush him. With this gesture
    Buddha appeased the elephant and subdued him. The gesture dispels hesitation and
    fear, instills confidence and trust in the Dharma, and assures followers of Buddha's
    protection. The right arm is elevated and slightly bent. The hand is level with the
    shoulder, all fingers are extended upward, and the palm is turned outward.

    Witness; Earthtouching (Bhumisparsa)

    With this gesture, Shakyamuni Buddha called upon the earth to witness his victory
    over the temptations of Mara, Lord of Illusion. The right arm is pendant over the
    right knee. The hand, palm inward, all fingers down, is touching a lotus throne.
    The left hand lies on the lap with the palm upward, as in the Meditation mudra.
    Intellectual Argument; Debate; Appeasement (Vitarka)

    The gesture of discussion and debate indicates communication and an explanation


    of the Dharma. The tips of the thumb and index finger touch, forming a circle. All
    other fingers are extended upwards. Sometimes the middle finger and thumb touch,
    which is gesture of great compassion. If the thumb and ring finger touch, they
    express the mudra of good fortune.

    Prayer; Adoration; Salutation; Reverence (Anjali, Namaskara)

    In India, this gesture indicates salutation and respect. In Buddhist iconography, it


    symbolizes adoration. If held under the mouth, it indicates homage to the word of
    the teacher. It is, therefore, never seen on Buddha himself, as he is the subject of
    reverence. The two hands joined together also symbolize the static and dynamic,
    the spiritual and the material worlds. The hands are kept close to the chest in
    devotional attitude with the palms and fingers pressed together.

    Meditation (Dhyana or Samadhi)

    The highest state of consciousness, Samadhi, can be reached by means of deep


    concentration, tranquility and identification with the supreme unity. This gesture of
    meditation, made with both hands, or with the left hand alone, indicates deep
    Samadhi, or absolute balance. Both hands are placed in the lap, right hand on left
    hand, with all fingers extended and palms facing upward. Thumbs touch each
    other.

    Teaching; Preaching, Turning the Wheel of Law (Dharmachakra)

    This gesture indicates the turning of the Wheel of Dharma, or law, in which
    Buddhas, through their teachings, set the Dharma in motion for beings of the six
    realms of existence. Both hands are held against the chest, with the left hand facing
    inward, covering right hand facing outward. The index finger and thumb of each
    hand form a circle, the 'wheel'.

    Source, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Staten Island, NY

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