MUDRAS

 Mudra or the gesture has a great significance in the in religious and cultural artifacts of Nepal. In fact, its connotation and impact in Nepalese social behavior is equally considerable.  For instance,  Abhaya Mudra is the Mudra or Gesture  for protection. In this gesture, the arm is elevated and slightly bent forward. To be precise, the right hand is lifted up to the shoulder level with the palm turned outward and all the fingers extended upward.  This Mudra is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Amoghsiddhi and is symbolic to assurance for fearlessness to all onlookers. 

In Buddhist tradition, there are several Dhyani Buddha’s and Manushi Buddha’s. The fourth Manushi Buddha is Siddhartha Gautama who is the renowned figure of the present world and thus widely portrayed in arts and sculpture. He is usually shown either seated in the posture of meditation or standing upright. In any case, he is projected with one or the other Mudra or gesture. Different gestures are presented with many other deities as well. The following hand gestures are noteworthy:

Dhyani Mudra 

This gesture is the gesture for meditation. In this gesture both hands placed on the lap, right hand on left, with the fingers fully extended and the palms facing upwards;

Dharmachakra Mudra

This Mudra depicts the turning of the wheel of the law of good behavior. In this gesture, both hands are held against the chest in such a way that the thumb and index finger of each of the hands are joined to form a circle, having the right palm shown outwards and the left palm inwards, the two circles touching each other;

Abhaya

Abhaya Mudra is the Mudra (Gesture) of Protection. In this gesture, the arm is elevated and slightly bent. The hand is lifted to shoulder level with the palm turned outward and al the fingers are extended upward. This mudra is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Amoghsiddhi.

Bhumisparsa

Bhumisparsa is the mudra of witness (earth-touching). The right arm is pendant over the right knee. The hand with the palm turned inward and all the fingers extended downward with the finger touching the lotus throne. The left hand lies on the lap with palm upward. This gesture ‘of touching the earth’ or calling the earth to witness’ commemorating Gautam Bhddha’s victory over temptation by the demon Mara. This gesture is Charascteristic of Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya as well as Shakyamuni.

Dharmachakra

Dharmachakra Mudra is the gesture of Teaching. Literally, Dharma means ‘Laws’ and Chakra means wheel and usually interpreted turning the Wheel of Law. In this gesture both hands are held against the chest, the left facing inward, covering the right facing outward, the index and thumb of each hand making a circle. It is characteristic of Dhyani Buddha Vairochana. It is also a gesture of hands exhibited by Lord Buddha while preaching his first sermon at Sarnath.

Dhyana Mudra

Dhyana Mudra is the Mudra of Meditation. It is also called Samadhi or Yoga Mudra. Both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with fingers fully stretched and the palms facing upwards. Often, a begging bowl is placed. This is the characteristic mudra of Dhyani Buddha Amitabha.

Jnan Mudra

Janan Mudra is the gesture of teaching. In this gesture, the tips of the index and the thumb are joined and held near the center of chest with the palm turned inward. This is the characteristic mudra of Manjushree.

Namaskar Mudra

Namaskar Mudra is the gesture of prayer. In this gesture, the hands are kept closed to the chest in devotional attitude with the palms and fingers joined. This is the special gesture of Avalokiteswara when projected with more than two arms.

Tarjani Mudra

Tarjani Mudra is the gesture of threatening or warning. Only the index finger is raised while the other fingers are locked up in the fish. This mudra is characteristics of most of the wrathful deities.

Vajrakunkara Mudra

Bajrahunkara Mudra is the gesture of Adi Buddha, Vajradhara. In this gesture the wrists are crossed at the breast. The hands hold usually the Bajra and Ghanta. This is the special mudra of Bajradhara and Samvara and most of the gods when holding their Saktis.

Varada

Varada Mudra is the gesture of Charity or conferring boon or grace. The arm is extended all way down with palm facing outwards, fingers extended downwards. This is the Mudra of Dhyani Buddha Ratna Sambhave, Avalokiteswara, sometimes, of a standing Sakyamuni.

Vitarka Mudra

Vitarka Mudra is the gesture of argument. In this gesture the tips of thumb and index finger touched forming a circle. All the other fingers are extended upwards. This is the mystic gesture of Taras and Boddhisatwas.