HEALTH 1240 F13

Mudras in Meditation
What they are and how they are used
Sam Crawford 10/12/2013

My purpose in writing this paper is to answer a few questions Ive had about Mudras: What are they? Where did they come from? How are they perceived to work? Are they still applicable today?

Mudras in Meditation
Through Meditation education, I have come to wonder more and more about Mudras; like: What are they? Who came up with them? How are they intended to work? And are tehy still applicable today? It turns out, Mudras are commonly known to be hand positions, but according to Mudras: Yoga in your hands, they are quite a bit more than that. They can also be eye positions, a seal, body posture, methods of breathing, or even something as simple as a gesture. The general purpose of these gestures is to bring about an intended state of consciousness or tell a story. (Hirschi, 2000) Of course, every Mudra has its own intended purpose, most of which are completely open to personal interpretation. While there are many, many perspectives on what Mudras are and where they came from, Ive decided to pursue the Buddhist tradition, as these representations are some of the oldest documented in the meditative context. In Buddhist art, only five primary Mudras are depicted, associated with each of the five transcendental Buddhas known as Dhyani Buddhas. In the Buddhist tradition, each digit of the hand is associated with an element. Beginning with the thumb, the associations are sky, wind, fire, water, and earth. These associations are especially important when further interpretation is desired.

Dharmachakra
The First Classic Buddhist Art Mudra is the Dharmachakra. Since Chakra means wheel in Sanskrit, this is the expression of the Wheel of Dharma. Dharmachakra represents one of the most prominent moments in Buddhas life: when he preached his first sermon to fellow travelers after his Enlightenment. It symbolizes setting in motion the Wheel of teaching the Dharma. The Dharmachakra is formed by connecting the tips of the thumb and index finger, leaving the three remaining fingers vertical. The circle created by this connection symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma, which is method and wisdom as one combined concept. The three remaining fingers each represent methods of realization of Buddhas philosophies. The middle finger stands for those who hear the teachings, the ring finger for those who realize the teachings independently, and the pinky for the Mahayana. For reference, the Mahayana is a movement that arose within Indian Buddhism around the beginning of the Common Era and became by the 9th century the dominant influence on the Buddhist cultures of Central and East Asia, which it remains today. It spread at one point also to Southeast Asia, including Myanmar (Burma) and Sri Lanka, but has not survived there. The movement is characterized by a grandiose cosmology, often complex ritualism, paradoxical metaphysics, and universal ethics. (Silk & Duignan, 2002) Dharmachakra is traditionally associated with the Dhyani Buddha Vairochana. Each Dhyani Buddha gained their status through the belief that each assists humans in overcoming a
(Asian Art References: Mudras)

common delusion. Vairochana is attributed with the transformation of the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of reality. (Kumar, 2008)

Dhyana
The second Mudra is the Dhyana, like others, one or both hands can
(Asian Art References: Mudras)

be used. Perhaps the oldest of the recognized Mudras, the Dhyana dates back to time immemorial, representing the perfect balance of thought, rest of the senses, and tranquility. The Dhyana is the Mudra of meditation, said to have been practiced by Buddha while meditating beneath the pipal tree before his Enlightenment. (Kumar, 2008) If using one hand, place the left hand in an open palm-up position in your lap, this leaves the right hand free or perform other activities or Mudras. It is also common to see an object, like a bowl or crystal, resting in the left hand. If using both hands, place them at the top of the abdomen both in an open palm-up position. Alternatively, you may connect the tips of your thumbs to your fingertips, forming a mirrored set of triangles which are said to represent many things, but commonly either the mystic fire that consumes all impurities or the Three Jewels of Buddhism the Buddha himself, the Good Law, and the Sangha. (Kumar, 2008) This mudra is represented by the fourth Dhyani Buddha Amitabha, also known as Amitayus. Through him, the delusion of attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment.

Bhumisparsha
The third Mudra in Buddhist art is the Bhumisparsha. Directly translated, Bhumisparsha means touching the earth. To express this Mudra, merely hold the left hand in the Dhyana, and drape the right wrist over the knee with your fingers pressing toward the ground.
(Asian Art References: Mudras)

This Mudra is associated with the Buddha summoning the Earth goddess, Sthavara, to witness his Enlightenment. The Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya is depicted in this mudra. He is believed to transform the delusion of anger into mirror-like wisdom. (Kumar, 2008)

Abhaya
The fourth Mudra, Abhaya, means fearlessness in Sanskrit. Because of this, it stands for peace, protection, and eliminating fear. To replicate it, hold your right hand at shoulder level with your palm facing out and hand flat, as if to say STOP. A symbol of power used through many cultures, Abhaya seems to be as natural a motion as pushing someone or something away from your body. The Buddha reportedly used the Abhaya to save his life from a rampaging elephant sent to kill him by an all-too-proud cousin. The Abhaya mudra is displayed by the Dhyani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi. He is also the Lord of Karma in the Buddhist pantheon. Amoghasiddhi helps in overcoming the delusion of jealousy, transforming it into the wisdom of accomplishment. (Kumar, 2008)
(Asian Art References: Mudras)

Varada
The fifth and final Mudra, Varada, stands for compassion, charity, and granting favors. It exemplifies the devotion to the salvation of humanity and is almost always done with the left hand. In execution, its rather
(Asian Art References: Mudras)

simple: hang your hand at your side about waist-level, with palm facing away and hand flat. Associated with the five fingers hanging down are five ideals known as perfections: generosity, morality, patience, effort, and meditative concentration. The Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhava displays this and under his spiritual guidance, the delusion of pride becomes the wisdom of sameness. (Kumar, 2008)

Modern Day
Of course, in modern day, we still use these symbols. We may not actively recognize any particular historical significance, but we use them every day. In court we raise our right hand to swear by, as if to protect our word. Alternatively, Bill Gates raises both hands, as depicted below, during a stock-holders meeting, as if to protect him-self from their wrath. Amy Cuddy is represented in the other image with both hands out to the side, allowing the audience to peacefully accept or deny the information she presents, as many teachers do. Im sure most of us dont realize it, but it seems we all use ancient Mudras in everyday life, and will continue to for years to come.

(Ham Terry's Blog)

(Meditation and this Human Body, 2013)

Works Cited
Meditation and this Human Body. (2013, March 28). Retrieved October 12, 2013, from Patheos: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/americanbuddhist/2013/03/meditation-and-this-human-bodytwo-recent-ted-talks.html Asian Art References: Mudras. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2013, from University of California Riverside: http://vrc.ucr.edu/wongsite/mudras/index.html Ham Terry's Blog. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2013, from Blogspot: http://stidhamterry.blogspot.com/2013/01/more-on-public-speaking-body-language.html Hirschi, G. (2000). Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands. San Francisco: Red Wheel/Weiser. Kumar, N. (2008, October 2). Exotic India Art: Mudras Article. Retrieved October 12, 2013, from Exotic India Art: http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/mudras Silk, J. A., & Duignan, B. (2002). Mahayana. Encyclopdia Britannica.