Difference between revisions of "Buddhist Mudras: Sacred Hand Gestures"
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| − | Mudras are symbolic gestures, used symbolically in Buddha images and in practice to evoke particular ideas or buddhas in the mind during Buddhist meditation or ritual. | + | [[Mudras]] are [[symbolic]] gestures, used [[symbolically]] in [[Buddha]] images and in practice to evoke particular [[ideas]] or [[buddhas]] in the [[mind]] during [[Buddhist meditation]] or [[ritual]]. |
| − | Like symbols held by saints in Christian art or by gods in Hindu art, Buddhist mudras indicate the identity of a Buddha or a particular scene being depicted. | + | Like [[symbols]] held by [[saints]] in [[Christian]] [[art]] or by [[gods]] in [[Hindu]] [[art]], [[Buddhist]] [[mudras]] indicate the [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] of a [[Buddha]] or a particular scene being depicted. |
| − | Mudras are also used in ritual meditation, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, to generate forces that invoke a particular Buddha or deity. | + | [[Mudras]] are also used in [[ritual]] [[meditation]], especially in [[Tibetan Buddhism]], to generate forces that invoke a particular [[Buddha]] or [[deity]]. |
| − | While there are a large number of esoteric mudras, there are ten main ones, of which five are most commonly used in Buddha images. Each of the Five Dhyani Buddhas is assigned one of the five mudras, with which they are invariably depicted in art. | + | While there are a large number of [[esoteric]] [[mudras]], there are ten main ones, of which five are most commonly used in [[Buddha]] images. Each of the [[Five Dhyani Buddhas]] is assigned one of the five [[mudras]], with which they are invariably depicted in [[art]]. |
[[File:Abhaya-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | [[File:Abhaya-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | ||
;[[Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Fearlessness)|Abhaya Mudra (Fearlessness)]] | ;[[Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Fearlessness)|Abhaya Mudra (Fearlessness)]] | ||
| − | The gesture of fearlessness and protection, representing spiritual power. This mudra is most often seen in standing Buddhas. | + | The gesture of [[fearlessness]] and [[protection]], representing [[spiritual power]]. This [[mudra]] is most often seen in [[standing]] [[Buddhas]]. |
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
[[File:Earth-witness.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | [[File:Earth-witness.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | ||
;[[Bhumisparsha (Earth Witness) Mudra|Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth Witness)]] | ;[[Bhumisparsha (Earth Witness) Mudra|Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth Witness)]] | ||
| − | The gesture of "earth witness," which the Buddha is said to have made at the time of his Enlightenment. | + | The gesture of "[[earth witness]]," which the [[Buddha]] is said to have made at the time of his [[Enlightenment]]. |
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
[[File:Dharmachakra-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | [[File:Dharmachakra-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | ||
;[[Dharmachakra (Wheel-Turning) Mudra|Dharmachakra Mudra (Wheel Turning)]] | ;[[Dharmachakra (Wheel-Turning) Mudra|Dharmachakra Mudra (Wheel Turning)]] | ||
| − | The gesture of "wheel-turning" or the turning of the wheel of the dharma, representing the Buddha's teachings. | + | The gesture of "[[wheel-turning]]" or the [[turning of the wheel of the dharma]], representing the [[Buddha's teachings]]. |
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
[[File:Dhyana-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | [[File:Dhyana-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | ||
;[[Dhyana (Meditation) Mudra|Dhyana Mudra (Meditation)]] | ;[[Dhyana (Meditation) Mudra|Dhyana Mudra (Meditation)]] | ||
| − | The gesture of meditation. | + | The [[gesture of meditation]]. |
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
[[File:Varada-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | [[File:Varada-mudra.png|left|frameless|150px|]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:24, 31 January 2016
Mudras are symbolic gestures, used symbolically in Buddha images and in practice to evoke particular ideas or buddhas in the mind during Buddhist meditation or ritual.
Like symbols held by saints in Christian art or by gods in Hindu art, Buddhist mudras indicate the identity of a Buddha or a particular scene being depicted.
Mudras are also used in ritual meditation, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, to generate forces that invoke a particular Buddha or deity.
While there are a large number of esoteric mudras, there are ten main ones, of which five are most commonly used in Buddha images. Each of the Five Dhyani Buddhas is assigned one of the five mudras, with which they are invariably depicted in art.
The gesture of fearlessness and protection, representing spiritual power. This mudra is most often seen in standing Buddhas.
The gesture of "earth witness," which the Buddha is said to have made at the time of his Enlightenment.
The gesture of "wheel-turning" or the turning of the wheel of the dharma, representing the Buddha's teachings.
The gesture of gift-giving or bestowal.
