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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Roots
- Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later known simply as the Buddha ("the awakened one"), founded Buddhism more than 2,500 years ago.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Buddhism
- Buddhism is not theistic (doesn't believe in a god or gods), nor does it have a religious book. Instead, its teachings are based on a number of concepts, including the fact that desire leads to suffering, nothing is permanent, all actions have consequences, and that enlightenment (AKA nirvana) can be reached.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
What are mudras?
- Mudra is a Sanskrit word for “sign.” Mudras are hand gestures often depicted in Buddhist art that are used mostly in the practice of meditation and yoga.
© Shutterstock
3 / 29 Fotos
Mudras
- While these are physical gestures, they have a deep spiritual meaning in Buddhism. These positions are used to evoke a particular state of mind, which are often combined with Buddhist practices such as reciting mantras and tantric visualization.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Different mudras
- Every mudra has both an outer and an inner function. It communicates something to both the person performing it and to the person observing it. Now, let’s take a look at the different types of mudras and what they mean.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- Also known as the Samadhi, meditation, or yoga mudra, Dhyana is one of the most popular mudras. Often used in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, it symbolizes compassion for all living beings.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- The position is achieved by placing the right hand on top of the left hand, with the palms facing up and thumbs touching.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- Dhyana is often depicted in images of Buddha Shakyamuni, Dhyani Buddha, Amitabh, and the Medicine Buddha.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Bhumisparsha
- The earth-touching mudra is yet another popular hand position. It’s used as a representation of Buddha's awakening, when he claims the earth as a witness to his enlightenment.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Bhumisparsha
- The Bhumisparasa mudra is performed by placing the right hand above the right knee, reaching towards the ground “touching the earth,” with the palm facing inward.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Vitarka
- Vitarka symbolizes the discussion and the teachings of the Buddha. It’s about the transmission of the dharma (Buddhist teaching and practice).
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Vitarka
- The Vitarka mudra is performed by touching the thumb and index fingers, creating a circle. The other fingers should remain straight, pointing upwards. The hand is held at chest level.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- The Abhaya mudra symbolizes protection and fearlessness. The gesture also represents blessing, peace, benevolence, and reassurance.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- The Abhaya mudra is performed by placing the left hand in the meditation mudra, while the right hand is held upright with the palm facing outward, at chest level.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- Buddha Shakyamuni, Dhyani Buddha, and Amoghasiddhi are often depicted holding this mudra.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- This mudra symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma, or the Wheel of the Teaching. Buddha performed this mudra during his first sermon in Sarnath, following his enlightenment.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- Both hands are used in this mudra. The left hand faces inward, covering the right hand, facing outward.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- The thumbs and forefingers of each hand form circles. The circles touch one another and are held at chest level.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Varada (or Varadamudra)
- This is the mudra of generosity. Varada symbolizes giving, offering, and charity, as well as compassion and sincerity.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Varada (or Varadamudra)
- To perform this mudra, place the palm of your right hand facing outward and extend your fingers. The left hand should rest with extended fingers on the lap.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
Karana
- This mudra is traditionally used to ward off evil. It’s used to channel the flow of vital life force energy known as prana, which helps against negativity in general.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Karana
- The Karana mudra is performed by raising the index and the little finger in a “horns” shape while folding the other fingers.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Vajra
- The Vajra mudra is the gesture of the fiery thunderbolt, and it symbolizes the five elements: air, water, fire, earth, and metal. It’s often used to stimulate blood circulation.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Vajra
- In this mudra, the index finger is extended straight while the other three fingertips are pressed against the thumb.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Uttarabodhi
- The Uttarabodhi mudra symbolizes enlightenment and the connection with divine universal energy.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Uttarabodhi
- In this mudra, the hands interlock, but the index fingers and thumbs remain extended. The tips of the index fingers touch and point upward, and the tips of the thumbs also touch, but point downward.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Anjali
- Anjali means "salutation" in Sanskrit, so the Anjali mudra translates into English as a "salutation seal." The gesture is very popular in Asian countries, and it’s used for greeting, prayer, and meditation.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Anjali
- The mudra is performed by placing the palms together against one another in front of the anahata ("heart") chakra. Sources: (Yogapedia) (Tricycle) (Chopra) (The Spruce) (Jagran Josh) See also: What your aura says about you
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
Roots
- Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later known simply as the Buddha ("the awakened one"), founded Buddhism more than 2,500 years ago.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Buddhism
- Buddhism is not theistic (doesn't believe in a god or gods), nor does it have a religious book. Instead, its teachings are based on a number of concepts, including the fact that desire leads to suffering, nothing is permanent, all actions have consequences, and that enlightenment (AKA nirvana) can be reached.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
What are mudras?
- Mudra is a Sanskrit word for “sign.” Mudras are hand gestures often depicted in Buddhist art that are used mostly in the practice of meditation and yoga.
© Shutterstock
3 / 29 Fotos
Mudras
- While these are physical gestures, they have a deep spiritual meaning in Buddhism. These positions are used to evoke a particular state of mind, which are often combined with Buddhist practices such as reciting mantras and tantric visualization.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Different mudras
- Every mudra has both an outer and an inner function. It communicates something to both the person performing it and to the person observing it. Now, let’s take a look at the different types of mudras and what they mean.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- Also known as the Samadhi, meditation, or yoga mudra, Dhyana is one of the most popular mudras. Often used in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, it symbolizes compassion for all living beings.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- The position is achieved by placing the right hand on top of the left hand, with the palms facing up and thumbs touching.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Dhyana
- Dhyana is often depicted in images of Buddha Shakyamuni, Dhyani Buddha, Amitabh, and the Medicine Buddha.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Bhumisparsha
- The earth-touching mudra is yet another popular hand position. It’s used as a representation of Buddha's awakening, when he claims the earth as a witness to his enlightenment.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Bhumisparsha
- The Bhumisparasa mudra is performed by placing the right hand above the right knee, reaching towards the ground “touching the earth,” with the palm facing inward.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Vitarka
- Vitarka symbolizes the discussion and the teachings of the Buddha. It’s about the transmission of the dharma (Buddhist teaching and practice).
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Vitarka
- The Vitarka mudra is performed by touching the thumb and index fingers, creating a circle. The other fingers should remain straight, pointing upwards. The hand is held at chest level.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- The Abhaya mudra symbolizes protection and fearlessness. The gesture also represents blessing, peace, benevolence, and reassurance.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- The Abhaya mudra is performed by placing the left hand in the meditation mudra, while the right hand is held upright with the palm facing outward, at chest level.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
Abhaya
- Buddha Shakyamuni, Dhyani Buddha, and Amoghasiddhi are often depicted holding this mudra.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- This mudra symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma, or the Wheel of the Teaching. Buddha performed this mudra during his first sermon in Sarnath, following his enlightenment.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- Both hands are used in this mudra. The left hand faces inward, covering the right hand, facing outward.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Dharmachakra
- The thumbs and forefingers of each hand form circles. The circles touch one another and are held at chest level.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Varada (or Varadamudra)
- This is the mudra of generosity. Varada symbolizes giving, offering, and charity, as well as compassion and sincerity.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Varada (or Varadamudra)
- To perform this mudra, place the palm of your right hand facing outward and extend your fingers. The left hand should rest with extended fingers on the lap.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
Karana
- This mudra is traditionally used to ward off evil. It’s used to channel the flow of vital life force energy known as prana, which helps against negativity in general.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Karana
- The Karana mudra is performed by raising the index and the little finger in a “horns” shape while folding the other fingers.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Vajra
- The Vajra mudra is the gesture of the fiery thunderbolt, and it symbolizes the five elements: air, water, fire, earth, and metal. It’s often used to stimulate blood circulation.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Vajra
- In this mudra, the index finger is extended straight while the other three fingertips are pressed against the thumb.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Uttarabodhi
- The Uttarabodhi mudra symbolizes enlightenment and the connection with divine universal energy.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Uttarabodhi
- In this mudra, the hands interlock, but the index fingers and thumbs remain extended. The tips of the index fingers touch and point upward, and the tips of the thumbs also touch, but point downward.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Anjali
- Anjali means "salutation" in Sanskrit, so the Anjali mudra translates into English as a "salutation seal." The gesture is very popular in Asian countries, and it’s used for greeting, prayer, and meditation.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Anjali
- The mudra is performed by placing the palms together against one another in front of the anahata ("heart") chakra. Sources: (Yogapedia) (Tricycle) (Chopra) (The Spruce) (Jagran Josh) See also: What your aura says about you
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
Mudras: the meaning behind the Buddhist hand gestures
These are commonly used in meditation and yoga
© Shutterstock
If you're familiar with images of the Buddha, you have probably noticed that he is often depicted with his hands in certain positions. The same is true for imagery related to meditation and yoga. These hand gestures are called mudras, and they are part of Buddhist practice. But what do these hand position actually mean?
In this gallery, we go through some of the most popular mudras and explain their meaning. Click on for a real lesson.
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