Asked by ny
Painted statue of Buddha
This statue from China was created about 1500.
What do the Buddha's hand gestures symbolize?
meditation
wisdom
charity and compassion
teachings of Buddha
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Buddhist hand gestures (mudrā) each have specific meanings. Common ones are:
- Meditation — dhyāna mudrā: hands in the lap, right over left, thumbs touching (concentration and inner calm).
- Wisdom — jñāna (or jnana/vitarka) mudrā: thumb and index finger touching to form a circle (knowledge, intellectual insight).
- Charity and compassion — varada mudrā: arm extended with palm down or slightly forward (granting, generosity, compassion).
- Teachings of the Buddha — dharmacakra or vitarka mudrā: hands held near the chest with thumb and index finger circles (turning the wheel of Dharma, teaching/argument).
So the statue’s hand gestures represent those concepts depending on which mudrā is shown.
- Meditation — dhyāna mudrā: hands in the lap, right over left, thumbs touching (concentration and inner calm).
- Wisdom — jñāna (or jnana/vitarka) mudrā: thumb and index finger touching to form a circle (knowledge, intellectual insight).
- Charity and compassion — varada mudrā: arm extended with palm down or slightly forward (granting, generosity, compassion).
- Teachings of the Buddha — dharmacakra or vitarka mudrā: hands held near the chest with thumb and index finger circles (turning the wheel of Dharma, teaching/argument).
So the statue’s hand gestures represent those concepts depending on which mudrā is shown.
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