Mudra without closed hands free#

Wisdom required by karma for its completion. This is a symbolism which accentuates the movement of the wheel, a continual movement of the Law which is constantly being transmitted to all Beings.' Ĭonverts jealousy and envy into all accomplish-ing wisdom QUOTE: This mudra “symbolizes the destruction of human ills, as well as the constant progression of Buddhist doctrines which penetrate to all Beings and which, without limits, like the cosmic wheel, exist universally.

The turning of the Dharma wheel is a metaphor for teaching the way of enlightenment. ĭainichi Nyorai corresponds to the Historical Buddha's first turning of the Wheel of the Law at Deer Park in Sarnath (India), where Shaka gave his first sermon. However, no similar interpretation is to be found elsewhere in Asia. Joining the thumb and third finger symbolizes the 'transformation-body' (ōjin 応身 Skt. Joining the thumb and middle finger symbolizes the 'recompense-body' (hōjin 報身 Skt.

Some Japanese say the Seppou-in formed by joining the thumb and forefinger symbolizes the 'Dharma-body' (hosshin 法身 Skt. There are Japanese scholars who believe the Tenbourin-in (Skt. The Sino-Japanese term Seppou-in is probably a translation of Vyakhyana. Vyakhyana (mudra of exposition) known as the Seppō-in Mudra 説法印 in Japan.Outside Japan, this mudra is known by various names: This mudra is formed by holding the right hand with the palm turned outwards in front of the chest and joining the thumb and forefinger. It refers especially to the teaching of the Dharma (law) and the preaching of the Buddha. This gesture was used by Shaka Nyorai (the Historical Buddha) when preaching his first sermon after reaching enlightenment. Other well-known mudra are also presented belowĪssociated with Dainichi appears also with images of Shaka, Amida, and othersĬonverts ignorance and bewilderment into the wisdom of primordial awareness.Meditation Mudra, Amida Nyorai (Amitabha) | West | Red | Well known in Japan.Earth-Touching Mudra, Ashuku Nyorai (Akshobhya) | East | Blue.Welcome Mudra, Hōshō Nyorai (Ratnasambhava) | South | Yellow.Fear Not Mudra, Fukūjōju Nyorai (Amoghasiddhi) | North | Green.Teaching Mudra, Dainichi Nyorai (Vairocana) | Center | White | Well known in Japan.In Japan, only two of the Five Buddha are still widely reverred. Each of the five is also associated with a compass direction, color, and other attributes.

Each of the five has a specific mudra that corresponds to one of the five defining episodes in the life of the Historical Buddha (see charts below).

Mudra without closed hands free#

They embody five fundamental wisdoms - wisdom against anger, envy, desire, ignorance, and pride - to help us break free from the cycle of death and rebirth ( samsara). The five are eminations of Buddha nature. The most widely known mudra in Japan are those associated with the Five Buddha of Wisdom (Jp = Godai Nyorai, Gochi Nyorai), a grouping that originated in India, as did most Buddhist iconography. But there is much variation and overlap among the mudra, and traditions in Japan differ from those in mainland Asia, so one should not depend exclusively on mudra for identification. Knowledge of these hand gestures can help greatly in identifying Buddha images (less so when trying to identify Bodhisattva / Bosatsu images). They are also used routinely by current-day Japanese monks in their spiritual exercises and worship.

Mudras are used primarily to indicate the nature and function of the deity. In Buddhist sculpture and painting throughout Asia, the Buddha ( Nyorai, Tathagata) are generally depicted with a characteristic hand gesture known as a mudra.