Mudras are a non-verbal mode of communication and self expression,
consisting of hand gestures and finger postures. The composition
of a mudra is based on certain movements of the fingers; in other
words, they constitute a highly stylized form of body or hand
language. It is an external expression of inner resolve, suggesting
that such non-verbal communications are more powerful than the
spoken word. Mudras are used not only to illustrate and
emphasize the meaning of an esoteric ritual. It also gives significance
to a sculptural image, a dance movement, or a meditative pose,
intensifying their potency.
Another interesting meaning given to the idea of the mudra
is that it reveals the secret imbibed in the five fingers. In
such an interpretation, each of the fingers, starting with the
thumb, is identified with one of the five elements, namely the
sky, wind, fire, water, and the earth. Their contact with each
other symbolizes the synthesis of these elements, significant
because every form in this universe is said to be composed of
a unique combination of these elements. This contact between
the various elements creates conditions favorable for the presence
of the deity at rites performed for securing some desired object
or benefit. That is, mudras induce the deity to be near the worshipper.
Each one of our statues is unique in its own right. Whether
the statue is carved from black stone, lime stone, greenstone
or granite, each statue comes with its own unique mudra. In
the following section we will provide you with a brief description
of each of the mudras that you will see at Trade Winds Statues™.
The Buddha, Shakyamuni died peacefully at the age of eighty
or eighty-one in a grove of trees near Kushinagara in northern
India. In sculptural representations of the Buddha’s
death, he is most commonly depicted laying on his right side,
and wearing a peaceful, serene expression when he left his physical
form and passed into final enlightenment. The Parinirvana
mudra is also commonly referred to as the Buddha’s “moment
of death”.
View Parinirvana Mudra Statues
 Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. The Abhaya, or fearlessness
gesture is one of the most commonly depicted mudras, representing
benevolence and the absence of fear. The gesture confers
onto others the same freedom from fear, so this mudra can also
be interpreted to mean “fear not”. The gesture
is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, with the
arm bent and the palm facing outward. A Buddhist legend
tells of when the historical Buddha was being attacked by an
angry elephant, he simply held up his hand in the fearlessness
gesture and calmed the raging animal. This mudra is nearly always
used in images showing the Buddha upright, either immobile with
the feet joined, or walking. This mudra, which initially appears
to be a natural gesture, was probably used since prehistoric
times as a sign of good intentions; the hand raised and unarmed
proposes friendship, or at least peace; since antiquity, it was
a plain way of showing that you meant no harm since you did not
carry any weapon.
View Abhaya Mudra Statues
 Literally Bhumisparsha translates into 'touching the earth'.
The gesture of "touching the earth" or as it is also
referred to, the “earth witness" mudra commemorates
the posture in which Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of
the demon Mara while meditating on Truth. This mudra, formed
with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the
ground, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi
tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness
to his attainment of enlightenment.
View Bhumisparsa Mudra Statues
 This
mudra symbolizes charity and compassion. It is the mudra of the
accomplishment of the wish to devote oneself to human salvation.
It is nearly always made with the left hand, and can be made
with the arm hanging naturally at the side of the body, the palm
of the open hand facing forward. The five fingers in this mudra
symbolize the following five perfections: generosity, morality,
patience, effort, and meditative concentration. This mudra
is rarely used alone, but usually in combination with another
made with the right hand.
View Varada Mudra Statues
  Dharmachakra in Sanskrit means the 'Wheel of Dharma'. This mudra
symbolizes one of the most important moments in the life of the
Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his companions the first
sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath. It
thus denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching
of the Dharma. In this mudra the thumb and index finger of both
hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents
the Wheel of Dharma, or in metaphysical terms, the union of method
and wisdom. The three remaining fingers of the two hands remain
extended. These fingers are themselves rich in symbolic significance. The
three extended fingers of the right hand represent the three
vehicles of the Buddha's teachings, namely: the middle finger
represents the 'hearers' of the teachings, the ring finger represents
the 'solitary realizers', and the little finger represents the
Mahayana or 'Great Vehicle'. The three extended fingers
of the left hand symbolize the Three Jewels of Buddhism, namely:
the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Significantly,
in this mudra, the hands are held in front of the heart, symbolizing
that these teachings are straight from the Buddha's heart.
View Dharmachakra Mudra Statues
The Dhyana mudra, which may be made with one or both hands,
is the gesture of absolute balance, of meditation . Dhyana is
the mudra of meditation, of concentration on the Good law, and
of the attainment of spiritual perfection. When made with a single
hand the left one is placed in the lap, while the right may be
engaged elsewhere. The left hand making the Dhyana mudra in such
cases symbolizes the female left-hand principle of wisdom. Ritual
objects such as a text, or more commonly an alms bowl symbolizing
renunciation, may be placed in the open palm of this left hand.
When made with both hands, the hands are generally held at the
level of the stomach or on the thighs. The right hand is placed
above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the fingers
extended. In some cases the thumbs of the two hands may touch
at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle. The esoteric sects
obviously attribute to this triangle a multitude of meanings,
the most important being the identification with the mystic fire
that consumes all impurities. This triangle is also said to represent
the Three Jewels of Buddhism, mentioned above, namely the Buddha
himself, the Good Law and the Sangha. According to tradition,
this mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating
under the pipal tree before his Enlightenment.
  
View Dhyana Mudra Statues
The
gesture of discussion and debate indicates communication and
an explanation of the Dharma. The tips of the thumb and
index finger touch, forming a circle. All other fingers
are extended upwards. Sometimes the middle finger and thumb
touch, which is a gesture of great compassion. If the thumb
and ring finger touch, they express the mudra of good fortune.
View Vitarka Mudra Statues
Jnanamudra
symbolizes the gesture of teaching, the tips of the index finger
and the thumb are joined and held near the center of the chest,
the palm turned inward. If the palm is turned outward, it is
the Mudra of discussion and debate, called Vitarka.
  
View Jnanamudra Mudra Statues
This mudra signifies the gesture of greeting, adoration and
prayer; the two hands are kept close to the chest, touching palm
to palm. This mudra became the prototype of the Indian
and Nepali greeting and a show of respect.
  
View
Namaskara Mudra Statues
This mudra is reserved for praying figures, which often accompany
a statue of the Buddha in the art of India or South East Asia. The
Anjali is made with two hands joined vertically in front of the
chest, as in the attitude of prayer. This
mudra evokes an offering of good feelings of one towards another. This
mudra can also indicate veneration if it is made at the level
of the face.
View Anjali Statues
 This is the mudra of meditation, of concentration (samadhi)
on the Dharma, of the attainment of spiritual perfection, and
of bodhi or "awakening". This is the
most common mudra used to depict the Buddha when meditating under
the Bodhi tree before his Enlightenment. This mudra has
been widely adopted by yogis and various practitioners during
meditation and concentration exercises and it indicates perfect
balance of thought, rest of the senses and tranquility. The
hands are generally held at the level of the stomach or the thighs,
the right above the left, the palms upwards, fingers extended
and thumbs touching at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle,
symbolic of the spiritual fire (mystic fire that consumes all
impurities - Chinese Mahayana). In South East Asia, this
mudra is frequently used in the image of the seated Buddha, the
joined thumbs do not form a "mystic triangle" and are
placed against the palm. The position of the Samadhi mudra with
the joined thumbs forming a triangle is symbolic of the Tiratana
(Three Jewels) namely the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The triangular
form also indicates the firmness of the body and of the mind.
View Samadhi Mudra
Statues |
Vitarka – Discussion 
Anjali – Prayer 
