What are MUDRAS? (hand positions)
Mudras
are, of course, extremely important in Hindu & Buddhist
iconography, with both exoteric & esoteric significance. They are
also a useful aid to identification of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and
Deities.
What are some of the most common mudras?
(i) Abhaya mudra: mudra of blessing or protection. Right hand, held at shoulder level, pointed upward with the palm facing outwards
(ii) Anjali
mudra: mudra of greeting, gesture of respect and, of course, prayer.
Palms together at the level of the heart, with fingertips pointed
upwards
(iii) Vitarka mudra: teaching mudra. Held at
chest level, the right hand faces outward. The thumb and forefinger
form a circle. Pointing downward, the left hand faces outward or lies
palm up in the lap
(iv) Varada mudra: mudra of giving, or generosity. Pointed downward, the palm of the right hand faces out
(v) Dharmachakra
mudra: mudra of turning the wheel of the Dharma (teaching). Hands held
level with the heart, the thumbs and forefingers of each hand form
circles that touch one another. The left hand faces inward, the right
hand out
(vi) Bhumisparsha mudra: earth-touching (also
called ‘earth-witness’) mudra. The left hand rests in the lap with the
palm facing upward. The right hand rests palm down on the right knee
with fingers pointing towards the earth
(viii) Dhyani
mudra: the meditation mudra. The back of one hand (usually the right)
rests on the upturned palm of the other, with the tips of the thumbs
lightly touching. There are several variations on this.
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