Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUDDHIST MUDRAS AND THEIR MEANINGS
Buddha images are traditionally shown in one of various iconic poses, known as
mudras
,
whether standing, sitting or reclining.
Abhayamudra
The “Have No Fear” pose shows the Buddha standing with his right hand
raised, the palm facing the viewer.
Bhumisparsha mudra
The “Earth-Witness” pose shows the seated Buddha touching the
ground with the tips of the fingers of his left hand, commemorating the moment during
hisenlightenmentwhenthedemonMara,attemptingtobreakhisconcentration,causedthe
Earth to shake beneath him, and the Buddha stilled the ground by touching it.
Dana
or
varada mudra
The “offering” pose, with the Buddha seated and his right hand
placed palm upwards signifying the act of giving and compassion.
Dhyani
or
samadhi mudra
Shows the Buddha in meditation, seated in the lotus or half-
lotus position, with his hands placed together in his lap.
Namaskara mudra
Shows the Buddha (or other devotee) with hands placed together in a
gesture of prayer.
Parinirvana mudra
Shows the Buddha in a reclining pose to represent the moment of his
death and entrance into nirvana.
Vitarka mudra
(“Gesture of Explanation”) and
dharmachakra mudra
(“Gesture of the
Turning of the Wheel of the Law”). In both positions the Buddha forms a circle with his
thumbandonefinger,representingthe“wheelofdharma”(dharmachakra), whichsymbol-
izes the Buddhist route to nirvana. Used in both standing and sitting poses.
Magical animals and mythical monsters
Mythical
beasts
are another essential feature of Burmese temple architecture, their fearsome
features designed to offer supernatural protection to the building they guard. The entrances
to many temples are protected by huge pairs of
chinthe
, lion-like figures (with a hint of
dragon), while
sphinx
-like creatures (basically chinthe with human heads) are often placed
atthecornersofstupas.Grotesque
kirtimukha
(aka
kala
)-pop-eyedogreheadsswallowing
chains of garlands or pearls - decorate the walls of many Bagan temples, referring to an old
Hindu legend in which Shiva accidentally creates a ravenous monster and then orders it to
eat his own body. Other mythological monsters commonly encountered include the bird-like
garuda
andthesnake-like
naga
,half-animalandhalf-humancreatureswithgod-likepowers.
Another bird, the
hamsa
(translated either as “goose” or “swan”), is also commonly found
as a decorative element and is strongly associated with the Hindu god Brahma, who also ap-
pears in some Buddhist temples as a protector of the faith.
