Almost every one of us has seen paintings and statues of Buddha, in which he does different hand gestures, called “Mudras.”
These are the nine mudras and what they symbolize:
1. ABHAYA, meaning ‘No fear.’
This is probably the most common hand gesture of Buddha, called the Abhaya Mudra, meaning ‘No fear.’
Abhaya is a Sanskrit word which translates as fearlessness. It is made with an open palm of the right hand, extending outwards at the level of the chest or higher. When looking at this hand gesture, we are going to feel energies of peace, protection, and senses of deep and strong inner security.
2. DHYANA, meaning ‘Meditation.’
The Dhyana, or also called Samadhi mudra promotes the energies of deep contemplation, unity with the higher energy, and meditation. The energy circling, which is made by the triangle formed when the thumbs of our hands touch themselves, cleanses impurities on an etheric level. Looking at this hand gesture can give us the ability to connect ourselves with the energies of deep serenity and peace.
3. NAMASKARA, meaning ‘Greeting and adoration.’
This mudra is also called Anjali mudra, and it is a hand gesture which evokes greeting other beings with our utmost adoration and respect for the sacred Divine in everything. We express the greeting like a prayer coming from our third eye or heart. This mudra may be expressed when we have our palms at heart level or also at our forehead. However, Buddhists are no longer making this mudra.
4. BHUMISPARSA, meaning ‘Calling the Earth to Witness the Truth.’
This mudra is translated as Calling the Earth to Witness the Truth mudra or Touching the Earth. It is a hand gesture which is always done with the right hand, and the left one is on the lap, with the palm facing outwards.
This mudra is considered the hand gesture of Buddha when he accomplished enlightenment. It also represents the truth of Buddha’s commitment to his liberation, and also unshaken strength that helped him in overcoming the darkness that challenged him before entering in the light.
5. VARADA, meaning ‘Compassion, wish granting and sincerity.’
This is the mudra which expresses the energies of liberation, acceptance, and compassion. It is made with the left hand, and we can usually see it conjunct with some other mudras, like Abhayamudra and Bhumisparsa. This mudra helps in bestowing a particular energy quality that a person seeks from enlightened beings.
6. KARANA, meaning ‘Banishing and expelling negativity.’
The Karana hand gesture is the one which expresses powerful energies with which the negative ones are expelled. It is a mudra called the warding off evil. We may sense quite focused and determined energy when we simply look at this mudra.
7. VAJRAPRADAMA, meaning ‘Confidence in self.’
This mudra is typically translated the mudra of unshakable confidence in self, and it evokes a lot more. When we look at this amazing Buddha hand gesture, the primary words which will come on our mind are: “I come with peace because I am peace.”
This mudra also emanates the glowing river consisting of beautiful and golden energy – kind, soft, radiant, ever-lasting and healing.
8. DHARMACHAKRA, meaning ‘Wheel of Dharma or Cosmic Order.’
This hand gesture expresses the constant energy of our Cosmic Order. Both hands are placed at the heart level with the index fingers and thumbs forming circles. The Dharmachakra mudra is connected with the first sermon of Buddha, which is teaching. In fact, it is usually said to represent Cosmic Order’s teaching coming from the center of the heart.
9. UTTARABODHI, meaning ‘Supreme enlightenment.’
This hand gesture is also known as the Mudra of Supreme Enlightenment. The hand gesture is formed using the two hands, placing them at the area of the heart; the index fingers pointing and touching upwards, while the rest of the fingers intertwined. This mudra evokes the feeling of unshaken unity within ourselves when aligning with One Source.
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