Bodhisattva and Hand Gestures

An enlightenment being: Bodhisattva, the True Adult

Inheriting the tradition of Three Dynasty, the Bodhisattvas -- Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru – were popular during Unified Silla Dynasty and the forms started to vary and develop. Amitabha is described as the principal Buddha in the pure land sect and save the humankind while Bhaisajyaguru is described as a doctor who cures suffering using the medicines of his teachings. With the development and spread of the two Bodhisattvas, the mudra (hand gesture) started to diverge in its form.

Amitabha (아미타불)	Bhaisajyaguru (약사불)

Hand Gesture, Mudra

Mundra is a symbolic and ritual, or symbolic hand gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. This encourages greeting another being with the greatest respect and adoration. While some mudras involve the entire body as we can see from Yoga gesture, most mudras are performed with the hands and fingers. A mudra is a spritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in theiconography (the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts) and spritual ritual of indian religious and traditions of Dharma and Taoism. Originally there are 108 mudra,, and the most frequently used mudras are as follow.

ABHAYA The Gesture of Fearlessness :the right hand slightly elevated, the palm turned outwards, also called the Gesture of Renunciation.	UTTARABODHI Supreme Enlightment. This mudra is formed with both hands placed at the heart; index fingers touching and pointing upwards, the other eight fingers intertwined.	DHARMACHAKRA The Gesture of Teaching: with both hands in front of the breast, tips of the index finger and the thumps touching. The hands are placed at the heart level with the thumbs and index fingers forming circles (similar to Vitarka mudra ). The right palm faces outwards and the left one faces towards the heart.
VITARKA The Gesture of Debate: explaining the Buddha’s teachings (Vitaka Mudra) with the hands raised and the tips of the forefingers and the thumbs touch each other.	VAJRAPRADAMA Confidence in Self. This hand gesture evokes so much more. Or, at least, not what we usually understand as self confidence. The first words that come to mind when looking at this beautiful Buddha gesture are: "I come with peace because I am peace".	KARANA Banishing & Expelling Negativity.This hand gesture is also called warding off the evil . You can sense a very determined, focused energy just by looking at this hand gesture.
VARADA Compassion, Sincerity & Wish Granting. arada mudra expresses the energy of compassion, liberation and an offering of acceptance. This mudra is made with the left hand and most often you can see it in conjunction with other mudras, such as the Bhumisparsa or the Abhaya mudras, for example. This mudra is also called a boon-granting mudra, because it helps bestow a specific quality of energy one might be seeking from an enlightened being. Often you can see a sacred shape, such as a mandala, or a	BHUMISPARSA (항마촉지인) Calling the Earth To Witness the Truth.Bhumisparsa Mudra is translated as Touching the Earth , or Calling the Earth To Witness the Truth mudra. This hand gesture is always depicted with the right hand, while the left hand is on the lap, with the palm facing outwards ( Varada Mudra ). Bhumisparsa mudra is said to be Buddha's hand gesture when he achieved enlightenment. It represents unshaken strength and the truth of his commitment to liberation, which helped overcome the darkness (Mara) challe	NAMASKARA (합장인) The Gesture of Prayer : with the palms folded together. This hand gesture evokes greeting another being with the utmost respect and adoration for the Divine in all. It is expressed in a form of prayer coming from one's heart or the third eye.
DHYANA (선정인) The Gesture of Meditation : with both hands resting on the lap, palms upwards.

An enlightenment being: Bodhisattva, the True Adult

Amitabha (아미타불)

Bhaisajyaguru (약사불)

Hand Gesture, Mudra

ABHAYA

The Gesture of Fearlessness :the right hand slightly elevated, the palm turned outwards, also called the Gesture of Renunciation.

UTTARABODHI

Supreme Enlightment. This mudra is formed with both hands placed at the heart; index fingers touching and pointing upwards, the other eight fingers intertwined.

DHARMACHAKRA

VITARKA

The Gesture of Debate: explaining the Buddha’s teachings (Vitaka Mudra) with the hands raised and the tips of the forefingers and the thumbs touch each other.

VAJRAPRADAMA

Confidence in Self. This hand gesture evokes so much more. Or, at least, not what we usually understand as self confidence. The first words that come to mind when looking at this beautiful Buddha gesture are: "I come with peace because I am peace".

KARANA

Banishing & Expelling Negativity.This hand gesture is also called warding off the evil . You can sense a very determined, focused energy just by looking at this hand gesture.

VARADA

BHUMISPARSA (항마촉지인)

NAMASKARA (합장인)

The Gesture of Prayer : with the palms folded together. This hand gesture evokes greeting another being with the utmost respect and adoration for the Divine in all. It is expressed in a form of prayer coming from one's heart or the third eye.

DHYANA (선정인)

The Gesture of Meditation : with both hands resting on the lap, palms upwards.