| |
|
|
Mudras, Mudra, yoga Mudras, hand Mudras, hand Mudra, Mudras pictures,
Mudras of Buddha, Mudras meaning, Mudras Buddhism, yoga Mudra.
|
|
 |
|
- The Buddha is presented in several hand
and leg postures or gestures, called Mudras,
each Mudra
symbolizing some aspect of the Buddha’s
life. The visualization of various Mudras
has its origin several thousand years ago.
Basically there are four body postures in
which a Buddha image is depicted. Buddha
standing is a representation of his descent
from heaven after he had gone to preach to
his mother.
Buddha walking
represents him taming the berserk “Nalagiri”
elephant sent by his cousin Devadatta to
kill him.
Buddha seated explanation,
is the most common Mudra posture. There are
three different seated positions legs
crossed with both feet hidden; legs crossed
with feet on thighs and soles turned upward,
called the lotus position, and legs straight
down. Buddha reclining with his head pointing to
the north depicts his death and entry into |
|
  |
nirvana. If his
head is pointing to any other direction, it
represents him sleeping.
There are
also six symbolic hand Mudras, each hand gesture carrying a distinct
meaning.
The Bhumisparsa
Mudra is the most common one showing
Buddha seated with crossed legs, left hand
on his lap, palm upwards, and his right hand
on right knee with fingertips touching the
ground. This Mudra represents Buddha asking
Mother Earth to witness his Enlightenment.
In the Dhyana Mudra the Buddha sits cross-legged
with the palm of his right hand in the left
palm, and both
|
|
  |
hands lying in
his lap.
The event in the life of the Buddha
being depicted is indicated by the objects held in the
hands or figures flanking the Buddha image.
The
Dharmacakra Mudra depicts Buddha with both hands
held in front of his breast forming a circle with
the middle finger and thumb of his left hand
touching the tips of the index finger and thumb of
the right.
- This signifies the Buddha’s first Sermon at Sarnath, India, giving an
explanation of the Wheel of Law.
|
The Abhaya Mudra,
found only on a standing Buddha, shows the right
hand raised and the left pointed downward. This
represents Buddha promising his followers
tranquility, protection and courage if they
accept and follow his law.
The Varada Mudra
depicts the standing Buddha with
arms outstretched in front of his body, palms opened
out and the tips of the fingers pointing downwards
to the earth. This Mudra
represents the Buddha blessing his
followers.
The Abhaya and Varada Mudras show
Buddha’s right hand raised as in the
Abhaya Mudra and his left hand outstretched as in
the Varada Mudra. This Mudra
portrays Buddha blessing and promising
protection to his followers. It also represents his
descent to earth after preaching to his mother in
heaven.
|
 |
Today in
Buddhist countries such as Myanmar, the specific
Mudras summarized
above, as well as other strict directions
and rules must be rigidly followed by all
makers of Buddha images.
As religion, art and culture cannot be
separated in Myanmar life; these Mudras are
enacted by Myanmar dancers and form the
basis for their positions, gestures, and
movements. They also are the basis for the
marionettes and mime actors of the pwes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
