Hand gestures Iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand

statue of buddha meditating. buddha s hands in dhyāna mudrā position (wat xieng thong, luang phrabāng, laos)

the important aspect of iconography of buddha gestures made hands, known mudrā. these gestures have meanings known throughout buddhist world, , when combined postures described above, give complete representation, associated particular incident in life of buddha.

the 6 mudrā associated buddha are:

touching earth (bhūmiśparṣa mudrā) th:ปางมารวิชัย pang maa-rá-wí-chai: right arm rests on right thigh fingers pointing downwards, not touching earth (as can seen in image @ top of page). left hand rests in dhyāna mudrā position in buddha s lap. mudrā called in pāḷi , sanskrit calling earth witness (to fulfilment of perfections, pāramī). in thai known buddha subduing māra (the demon tried prevent him attaining enlightenment various means). far commonly depicted mudrā.
meditation (dhyāna mudrā) th:ปางสมาธิ pang sà-măa-tí: hands shown lying flat in buddha s lap, palms upward. mudrā associated seated buddha. shows buddha disciplining mind through mental concentration, necessary step achieving enlightenment.
charity (varana mudrā) th:ปางประทานพร pang bprà-taan pon: right arm shown pendent (extended downwards), open palm turned front , fingers extended. mudrā associated standing buddha. position can signify either buddha granting blessings or receiving charitable offerings.
fearlessness (abhāya mudrā) th:ปางประทานอภัย pang bprà-taan à-pai: either 1 or both arms shown bent @ elbow , wrist, palm facing outwards , fingers pointing upwards. shows buddha either displaying fearlessness in face of adversity, or enjoining others so. right hand raised called calming animals th:ปางโปรดสัตว์ pang pròht sàt; both hands raised called forbidding relatives th:ปางห้ามญาติ pang ham yat. these mudrā associated standing buddha, seated representations not uncommon.


statue of buddha preaching on reason, buddha s hands in double abhāya mudrā position (luang phrabāng, laos)



reasoning , exposition (vitarka mudrā): arm , hand positioned in same manner in abhāya mudrā, except thumb , forefinger brought together. gesture can made either right or left hand (usually right), not both. mudra signifies appeal reason, or giving of instruction. since buddha appealing reason, gesture interpreted appeal peace.
setting wheel in motion (dharmachakrā mudrā): hands held in front of chest, both hands in vitarka mudrā position, fingers of left hand resting in palm of right hand. less common mudrā since refers particular episode in buddha s life: first sermon, when set wheel (of life s work) in motion. can used both seated , standing images.

over centuries combinations , variations of these 6 mudrā have evolved. example, double abhāya mudrā , both hands held in abhāya mudrā position, became common in thailand , laos in 16th century, , 1 of common representations of buddha in south-east asian countries. interpreted buddha teaching on reason. artists wished depict more of specific incidents in life of buddha, new, secondary mudrās evolved, such buddha holding alms bowl , buddha receiving mango , buddha performing various miracles. many of these originated in burma , spread other parts of buddhist world.