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The five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - List

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The hand seals of the Buddhas are called mudrās or Suin. In mudrās, the hands and fingers are held in specific gestures in order to demonstrate different merits of the Buddhas.

The five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - ListThe five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - ListThe five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - ListThe five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - List
The five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni - List

Hand gestures and mudrās hold a very important symbolic significance and hand mudrās are the basis for distinguishing different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and have great meaning.
There are a wide range of mudrās, and different types include the five tolerances established by Śākyamuni Buddha, the nine classes of mudrās demonstrated by Amitābha Buddha, and the mudrā of the wisdom fist by Vairocana Buddha.
There are nine mudrās associated with Amitābha Buddha. These include sitting in the lotus position with both hands in front of the abdomen, palms facing upward, and the ends of both thumbs touching each other. His mudrās depict the nine possible classes of rebirth in the Geuklak, or the Land of Utmost Bliss, into which beings are born according to the merit they have accumulated.
These include higher, intermediate, and lower classes of rebirth, which are further subdivided into higher, intermediate, and lower capabilities.

The five mudrās of Buddha Śākyamuni

01. The Mudrā of Samādhi or Meditation.

This is the mudrā where one can enter in to samādhi. Sit in the full lotus position, with the left palm facing upward in front of the abdomen, and the right hand placed on top of the left, with palm facing up. The ends of both thumbs should be lightly touching.

02. The Mudrā of Touching the Earth.

This mudrā reflects when Śākyamuni Buddha subjugated all the māras, or evils, and testified for his right to be fully enlightened, with the goddess of the earth as his witness. The left hand is kept in the mudrā of samādhi, while the right is placed on the right knee with the palms and fingers pointing down to the earth.

03. Turning the Wheel of Dharma Mudrā.

This was the mudrā first assumed by Śākyamuni Buddha when he first taught the five disciples after his great enlightenment. This seal is not commonly seen in Korea and its depiction changes slightly depending on when the statue in question was created.

04. The Mudrā of Granting Compassion or he Mudrā of Fearlessness.

(right hand–Simuoein; left hand-Yeowonin): These hand seals clear away fear and grant protection, and eliminate sickness and suffering from all sentient beings. The right hand is raised to the shoulder, with all fingers held together and facing the ground. This mudrā symbolizes the compassionate nature of the Buddha and the granting of all wishes to sentient beings. The left palm faces out with the fingers directed downwards so that the whole left hand is facing downward toward the ground. This mudrā is seen in the depictions of many Buddhas, therefore it is also called Tongin, or the mudrā displayed by all. Śākyamuni Buddha’s standing statues, for example, normally display Simuoein on his right hand and Yeowonin on his left.

05. The Vairocana Mudrā.

In this mudrā the index finger of the left hand is held by the clenched fist of the right. The right hand symbolizes the realm of the Buddha and left symbolizes the realm of sentient beings. Together the mudrā symbolizes unity between the Buddha and all sentient beings. However, the mudrā is sometimes practiced with hands reversed.

The last hand seal to be introduced is the anjali-mudrā, or the Mudrā of placing the palms together: This is the most common Mudrā. Also called "taking refuge," it is assumed by monastics and lay Buddhist when attending services and ceremonies, when greeting each other, or to show gratitude. When you are making this gesture, you should raise yourhandsupward to your chest with your palms together.

Synonyms/tags: Gyein, Ingye, Inshang, Milin




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