Buddhist hand gestures, known as “mudra” or “mudrika,” are also called “hand seals.” These Hand Mudras are symbolic expressions. They convey the Buddha’s intended thoughts, unlike common gestures. Since their beginning, Hand Mudras have been key in showing Buddha figures. Often, objects held or Hand Mudras performed identify deities and Bodhisattvas. Therefore, understanding this helps interpret mudras better.
The Teaching Hand Mudra
People form this Hand Mudra by joining the thumb and middle finger. Alternatively, they may join the index or ring finger. The remaining fingers extend naturally. This symbolizes teaching the Dharma. Specifically, it represents the Buddha’s first turning of the Wheel of Dharma in Sarnath. Consequently, people call it the Teaching Mudra. Another name is the Turning the Wheel of Dharma Mudra. In this Hand Mudra, both hands are used. The right hand raises to the chest, palm facing out. The left hand’s thumb and index finger form a circle. However, the middle or ring finger can also form the circle. The other three fingers extend slightly. This signifies the Buddha’s teaching. For instance, people depict Shakyamuni Buddha performing this mudra. Also, Dīpankara Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and Manjusri Bodhisattva use it. Furthermore, in Tibetan Buddhism, masters like Atiśa and Tsongkhapa use this gesture.
The Fear-Not Hand Mudra
The arm bends and raises to chest level. Then, the fingers extend naturally. The palm faces outward. This Hand Mudra shows the Buddha’s compassion. It also represents his wish to free beings from suffering. Therefore, it gives peace and dispels fear. Hence, it has the name Fear-Not Mudra.
The Wish-Granting Hand Mudra
The hand lowers naturally. The fingertips point down, and the palm faces outward. This signifies the Buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas’ ability. They can fulfill the wishes of all beings. This Hand Mudra ensures desired wishes come true. Moreover, this mudra conveys kindness. Often, it appears with the Fear-Not Mudra. For example, people show White Tara performing this mudra. Also, Ushnishavijaya and Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara use it. Typically, there is an eye in the palm.
The Earth-Touching Hand Mudra
The right hand rests on the right knee. The fingers touch the ground. This symbolizes overcoming negative forces. Tradition says when Śakyamuni sought enlightenment, Mara tried to stop him. Mara was the demon king. Then, Śakyamuni touched the earth. He called it as a witness. After that, the earth goddess appeared. She confirmed Śakyamuni’s Buddhahood. Ultimately, this made Mara retreat in fear. Therefore, people know this Hand Mudra as the Earth-Touching Mudra. It is also called the Bhūmisparśa Mudra.
The Meditation Hand Mudra
Both hands are in the lap. The palms face up. The right hand rests on the left. The tips of the thumbs touch. This Hand Mudra shows meditative focus. It signifies inner peace. People say Shakyamuni Buddha used this posture. He meditated under the Bodhi tree. Ultimately, he reached enlightenment. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Vairocana Buddha uses this mudra. He uses it in the Womb Realm Mandala. It is known as the “Dharma Realm Meditation Seal” .
The Wisdom Fist Hand Mudra
This Hand Mudra is also the Bodhi Seal. It is also known as the Great Wisdom Seal of Vairocana. Each hand forms a “vajra fist.” This means enclosing the thumb within the fingers. The right fist then grasps the left hand’s index finger. This happens at the chest. This is Vairocana Buddha’s distinct mudra. He uses it in the Diamond Realm Mandala. It represents supreme wisdom as power. The fist represents wisdom. People believe it symbolizes removing ignorance. It also represents gaining Buddhic wisdom.
The Threatening Index Finger Mudra
It forms by touching the middle finger to the thumb. Then, the index finger raises. Vajrayana Buddhism uses this Hand Mudra. It acts as a seal to subdue negativity.
The Vajra Humkara Mudra
It involves both hands forming the Threatening Index Finger Mudra. They cross at the chest. Wrathful deities often use this Hand Mudra. Dharma protectors also use it. They often hold a vajra bell and a vajra.
The Anjali Mudra
The Anjali Mudra is also the Añjali Mudra or prayer gesture. This Hand Mudra joins the ten fingers. The palms touch. This signifies uniting the ten Dharma realms into one mind. In Vajrayana Buddhist images, deities use this mudra. They often hold ritual items like the vajra dagger. Donors also commonly appear using this mudra.
The Mudra of Liberating Sentient Beings
The Mudra of Liberating Sentient Beings is common for Amoghasiddhi Buddha. The right hand forms the Fear-Not Mudra. Meanwhile, the left hand holds at the chest. The palm faces out. The thumb and index finger join at the tips. The other fingers extend.
The Nine Grades of Amitabha’s Mudra
The Nine Grades of Amitabha’s Mudra are also known as the Nine Levels of Rebirth Mudra. Other names include the Nine Grades of Rebirth Seal, or the Three-Three Grades Seal. Amitabha Buddha commonly uses these Hand Mudras. Common pictures show Amitabha welcoming. The right hand forms the Wish-Granting Mudra. The left hand holds a golden lotus at the chest. Alternatively, both hands stack. The palms support a golden lotus.
Variations and Types of Hand Mudras
Vajrayana Buddhism includes many Hand Mudras. They often come from twelve joined-palm forms and four fist types. Details follow.
The Twelve Joined-Palm Variations
- The Solid Clasp (nivida) involves palms pressed firmly. The fingertips are slightly apart.
- The Hollow Clasp (samputa) has ten fingers aligned. The tips touch. The palms are slightly concave.
- The Unblown Lotus Clasp (kudmala) is like the previous one. However, there is space inside the palms. It is slightly domed.
- The Opening Lotus Clasp (bhagna) joins the middle fingers and thumbs. The other six fingers spread out. It looks like an eight-petaled lotus.
- The Exposed Clasp (uttanaja) has both palms facing up and joined.
- The Water-Holding Clasp (adhara) features both palms facing up. The fingertips touch. It is slightly cupped, like holding water. This resembles the gesture for receiving food.
- The Homage Clasp (pranama) joins the palms. The fingertips interlock. The right fingers are over the left. This resembles the Vajra Clasp.
- The Reversed Interlocking Clasp (viparita) has the right hand over the left. The palms face inward. Ten fingertips interlock. The right fingers are over the left.
- The Reversed Back-to-Back Clasp (Viparyasta) shows the right palm facing up. It supports the left palm facing down. This resembles the Meditation Mudra.
- The Transverse Finger Clasp (tiryak) has both palms facing up. The tips of the middle fingers touch.
- The Downward Facing Clasp (adhara) features both palms facing down. The tips of the middle fingers touch.
- The Downward Facing Clasp (same as the eleventh) presents both palms facing down. The tips of the thumbs join. The fingertips point outward.
The Four Types of Fists (四种拳)
The Lotus Fist is also known as the womb fist. People often use it as the base mudra in the Womb Realm. The fist forms by grasping the fingers below the index finger. The thumb presses on the side of the index finger’s middle joint. The Mahavairocana Sutra Commentary says the thumb is upright. The Lotus Fist often symbolizes an unopened lotus.
The Vajra Fist is mainly used in the Diamond Realm. The Karma Mudra in the Vajrasekhara Sutra uses the Vajra Fist. The Mahavairocana Sutra Commentary describes it. The index finger is in the palm and fisted. The Vajramandala-vidhi says to grasp the middle, ring, and little finger with the thumb. The index finger presses against the back of the thumb. The Vajra Fist’s formation varies. However, the Vajramandala-vidhi’s description is generally accepted. The Vajrasekhara Sutra calls the Vajra Fist the wisdom seal. It binds the body, speech, and mind of all Tathagatas. Amoghavajra’s commentary says the combination of body, speech, and mind is the fist. Both see the Vajra Fist as representing all three mysteries of all Tathagatas.
The Outer Binding Fist is called the “fist with fingers outside.” It is a common Outer Binding. The fist forms by crossing both hands. The ten fingers are visible outside. The Vajrasekhara Sutra calls it the Vajra Binding. It says the hands are like a moon shape. The palms’ circle represents the lunar disc. The Samaya Mudra uses this Outer Binding Fist. When visualizing a moon disc emerging, this seal should form. This is according to the Abbreviated Version of the Vajrasekhara Sutra Recitation Method.
The Inner Binding Fist is the second fist in the Mahavairocana Sutra Commentary. The fist forms by interlacing the ten fingers. All bend inward towards the palms.
Besides these four, the Wrathful Fist and Tathagata Fist exist. They form the six fists.
The Wrathful Fist grasps the thumb with the ring and middle fingers. The index and little fingers raise and curve like teeth.
The Tathagata Fist has the left hand in a Lotus Fist. The right hand is in a Vajra Fist. The right Vajra Fist grasps the left hand’s thumb.
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