Than Hsiang's Pu Men Pin Online Gong Xiu’s Dharma Sharing（20/10/2023）

Teaching Assistant in International Buddhist College, Sister Chiew Suan Bee sharing “Mudrā in Buddhism”

A mudra conveys different body or hand gestures practiced in meditation, yoga, Indian classical dances and for healing purposes.

They can be used for the entire body, and/or performed with the hands and fingers.

They are silent languages of self-expression associated with Hindu, Jain and Buddhist iconography.

Mudrā in Sanskrit means "seal" and "mark. There are 24 Asanyuta (one-hand) and 13 Sarmyuta (two-hands) mudrās listed in the Natyaśāstra.

The practice of mudras affects the human body physically, mentally and spiritually.

The origin of mudra can be traced back to the remote past when men started communication with each other by using gestures as a sign language in the absence of dialogue, language or script.

This is evidenced from the early scripts found in the form of symbols, such as the early Egyptian script and Indus script (still not deciphered).

The earliest common gesture throughout history remains the “bow-down-in-respect", when confronted with a powerful man or things that were out of control like fear, fire, a thunderstorm, and etc.

The earliest documentation of mudrās are found in the Hindu religious texts, examples Bhagavad Gita (Lord Krishna practiced Gyan mudra) and many others.

The Buddha's statue has a traditional pose related to an important event in his life or past lives. The hand gestures of the Buddha indicate teaching, meditation, enlightenment, and wisdom.

The four postures of the Buddha are sitting, standing, and walking and reclining. The most common of these is the seated Buddha. The reclining Buddha represent the final moments at the end of the life of the Buddha before reaching nirvana.

A Buddha's image can have one of several mudras in different postures. Each posture present a specific role and meaning.

Mudras Used in the Iconography of Buddhist Art：Abhaya Mudra，Dhyana Mudrā，Anjali Mudra，Dharmacakra mudra，Vajra mudra.

Mudra are also incorporated in daily meditation to enhance focus and to improve overall health and wellbeing of the body and mind. Tips of fingers touching only, do not press, other fingers should be straight.

8 YOGA MUDRAS：Shuni Mudra，Apana Mudra，Ganesha Mudra，Karana Mudra，Varada Mudra，Bhairava Mudra，Dhyan Mudra，Cyan Mudra.

For more information, please browse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvZOyczYhTY

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