Context: ‘Abhaya Mudra’, the gesture depicted with raised open palm that is commonly understood as conveying reassurance and a freedom from fear was invoked by the Leader of Opposition in his speech in Lok Sabha. The Abhaya Mudra is commonly associated with Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
Introduction
- It is one of the major religions of the world that originated from the Indian subcontinent and has now spread to large parts of South-east Asia.
- The origin of Buddhism is attached to the story of Siddhartha who came to be known as Buddha.
- Gautam Buddha was born at Lumbini (in present Nepal) in 563 BC as Siddhartha Gautam.
- At the age of 29, he left his house to find the truth of life and he wandered as an ascetic.
- At Gaya (Bihar), he attained enlightenment (Nirvana) under a pipal tree and became the Buddha, the Enlightened One.
- After attaining Nirvana, he gave his first sermon to his five companions at the Deer Park in Sarnath near Varanasi. This event was called Dharma-chakra-pravartana (Turning the wheel of Law).
- Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar (Malla Mahajanapada) in Uttar Pradesh in 483 BC.
Mudras in Buddhism
- In the Buddhist context, it refers to “hand and arm gestures made during the course of ritual practice or depicted in images of buddhas, bodhisattvas, tantric deities, and other Buddhist images”.
- Mudras are most commonly associated with visual depictions of the Buddha with different gestures conveying different moods and meanings, signifying the subtle manifestations of the Buddha’s states of realisation.
- The earliest depictions of the Buddha in physical form date to roughly around the turn of the first millennium.
- Depictions started appearing in the Gandhara art from the northwestern edge of the Indian subcontinent (present day Pakistan and Afghanistan), which drew on Hellenistic influences (Greek) and later in the art of the Gupta period, in the Gangetic plains.
- In the earliest depictions of Buddha, four mudras can be found:
- Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness)
- Bhumisparsha mudra (Earth-touching gesture)
- Dharmachakra mudra (gesture of the wheel of dharma)
- Dhyana mudra (gesture of meditation).
- With the evolution of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, and the proliferation of Buddhist artwork outside India, hundreds of mudras entered Buddhist iconography.
About Abhaya Mudra
- The Abhaya mudra is typically formed with the palm of the right-hand facing outward at shoulder height and the fingers pointing up and the index, second, or third finger touches the thumb, with the remaining fingers extended upward.
- In Buddhist tradition, the Abhaya mudra is associated with the Buddha immediately after he attained Enlightenment, ‘portraying a sense of the security, serenity, and compassion that derive from enlightenment’
- This gesture identifies the moment when Shakyamuni (the Buddha) tamed the mad elephant, thus illustrating the Buddha’s ability to grant fearlessness to his followers. The elephant calmed down immediately, went down on her knees, and bowed her head to the Buddha.
- This is why the Abhaya mudra is also seen as a ‘gesture of protection’ or ‘gesture of granting refuge’.
Other Mudras in Buddhism:
Dharmachakra Mudra
- It is also called as the gesture of ‘Teaching of the Wheel of Dharma’ that describes one of the most important moments in the Buddha’s life as he performed the Dharmachakra mudra in his first sermon in Sarnath after he attained enlightenment.
- It is shown with the help of both the hands which are held against the chest, the left-facing inward, covering the right facing outward.
Dhyan Mudra
- It is also known as Samadhi or Yoga mudra.
- It is shown with the help of two hands which are placed on the lap and place the right hand on the left hand with stretched fingers (thumbs facing upwards and other fingers of both the hands resting on each other.)
Bhumisparsa Mudra
- This gesture is also known as ‘touching the Earth’ which represents the moment of the Buddha’s awakening as he claims the earth as the witness of his enlightenment
- It is shown with the help of the right hand, which is held above the right knee, reaching toward the ground with the palm inward while touching the lotus throne.
Varada Mudra
- This mudra represents the offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity.
- It is shown with the help of both the hands with the palm of the right hand facing forward and fingers extended and the left-hand palm placed near omphalos with extended fingers.
Karana Mudra
- This gesture signifies the warding off evil which is performed by raising the index and the little finger and folding the other fingers.
- The karana mudra expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.
Vajra Mudra
- This gesture denotes the fiery thunderbolt that symbolizes the five elements of nature, i.e. air, water, fire, earth, and metal.
- It is shown with the help of the right fist, left-hand forefinger, which is placed by enclosing the erect forefinger of the left hand in the right fist with the tip of the right forefinger touching (or curled around) the tip of the left forefinger.
Vitarka Mudra
- It signifies the discussion and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha.
- It is shown by joining the tips of the thumb and the index fingers together while keeping the other fingers straight, which is just like to Abhaya Mudra and varada mudra but in this Mudra the thumbs touching the index fingers.
Abhaya mudra in Hindu religion:
- Over time, the Abhaya mudra appeared in depictions of Hindu deities, and the Buddha himself was absorbed into the Hindu pantheon as the ninth avatar of the Puranic god Vishnu.
- Hindus came to regard the Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu between AD 450 and the sixth century.
- The first mention of the Buddha avatar came in the Vishnu Purana (400-500 CE).
- As multiple traditions, practices, and cultural influences mingled in the great melting pot of the Hindu religion, manifestations were seen in art and visual depiction of gods.
- The Abhaya mudra was seen in the depictions, most commonly of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha.
Prelims Previous Year Questions:
Q. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes: (2012)
(a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Answer: (b)
Q. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: (2023)
- The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
- Stupa was, generally, a repository of relics.
- Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Practice Question for Prelims:
Q. With reference to ‘Mudras in Buddhism’, consider the following statements:
2. ‘Vitarka Mudra’ signifies the discussion and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha.
3. The ‘Abhaya Mudra’ symbolizes ‘warding off evil’ and ‘eliminating negative thoughts’.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: Vitarka Mudra signifies the discussion and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha. It is performed by joining the tips of the thumb and the index fingers together while keeping the other fingers straight, which is just like to Abhaya Mudra and varada mudra but in this Mudra the thumbs touching the index fingers.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
- In Buddhist tradition, the Abhaya mudra is associated with the Buddha immediately after he attained Enlightenment. This gesture identifies the moment when Shakyamuni (the Buddha) tamed the mad elephant, thus illustrating the Buddha’s ability to grant fearlessness to his followers. This is why the Abhaya mudra is also seen as a ‘gesture of protection’ or ‘gesture of granting refuge’.
- Karana Mudra: This gesture signifies the warding off evil which is performed by raising the index and the little finger and folding the other fingers. The karana mudra expels demons and removes obstacles such as sickness or negative thoughts.