{"id":117705,"date":"2024-07-03T20:09:29","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T14:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=117705"},"modified":"2024-07-04T12:24:11","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T06:54:11","slug":"significance-of-abhaya-mudra","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/significance-of-abhaya-mudra","title":{"rendered":"The Significance of Abhaya Mudra"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>In his first speech as <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/leader-of-opposition-in-india\/\">Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha<\/a>, Rahul Gandhi invoked the Abhaya mudra, the gesture of the raised open palm that is commonly understood as conveying reassurance and a freedom from fear.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Leader of Opposition linked the symbolic image of \u2018Abhaya Mudra\u2019 to criticise the Central government<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Mudras in Buddhism: Significance and Historical Context<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117679 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/39-66855adfe56f2.webp\" alt=\"Abhaya Mudra\" width=\"300\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/39-66855adfe56f2.webp 401w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/39-66855adfe56f2-210x300.webp 210w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Definition: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mudras in Buddhism refer to <\/span><b>&#8220;hand and arm gestures made during ritual practice or depicted in images of buddhas, bodhisattvas, tantric deities, and other Buddhist figures.&#8221;<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Significance of Mudra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mudras signify <\/span><b>different moods and meanings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, conveying the <\/span><b>subtle manifestations of the Buddha\u2019s states of realisation.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Found in several religions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the earliest mudras found depicted on a number of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh images.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Association: Mudras are most commonly associated with visual depictions of the Buddha (Buddharupa)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Historical Context:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Buddha not depicted in Human Form: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For about 500 years after the Buddha (6th or 5th Century BCE), <\/span><b>he was not depicted in human form.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Buddha symbolised by objects:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> At early Buddhist sites like<\/span><b> Sanchi, the Buddha is symbolised by objects such as a vacant throne or a footprint<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, rather than a direct human image.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Evolution and Significance of Mudras in Buddhist Iconography<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Early Physical Depictions of Buddha:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The earliest physical depictions of the Buddha date to around the turn of the first millennium.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It began in the <\/span><b>Gandhara region (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), influenced by Hellenistic art<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Later depictions appeared in the Gupta period art in the Gangetic plains of India.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>In the earliest depictions of Buddharupa, four mudras can be found:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Abhaya Mudra: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gesture of fearlessness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Bhumisparsha Mudra: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earth-touching gesture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dharmachakra Mudra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Gesture of the wheel of dharma.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dhyana Mudra:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Gesture of meditation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Proliferation of Mudras:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Rise of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the <\/span><b>rise of Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Thunderbolt Vehicle) Buddhism, hundreds of mudras entered Buddhist iconography.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Tantric Traditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In tantric Buddhist traditions, <\/span><b>mudras became associated with dynamic ritual hand movements, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">where they \u201csymbolised material offerings, enacted forms of worship, or signified relationships with visualised deities\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Abhaya Mudra: Gesture of fearlessness<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117680 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/310-66855adeea034.webp\" alt=\"Mudras in Buddhism\" width=\"298\" height=\"385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/310-66855adeea034.webp 457w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/310-66855adeea034-232x300.webp 232w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Abhaya mudra is typically<\/span><b> formed with the palm of the right hand facing outward at shoulder height and the fingers pointing up.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occasionally, the index, second, or third finger touches the thumb, with the remaining fingers extended upward\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, both hands may simultaneously be raised in this posture in a <\/span><b>\u201cdouble abhaya mudra\u201d.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Symbolism of Abhaya Mudra in Buddhist tradition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Enlightenment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Buddhist tradition, the abhaya mudra is associated with the <\/span><b>Buddha immediately after he attained Enlightenment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, symbolising the security, serenity, and compassion that arise from this profound state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Shakyamuni tamed a mad Elephant: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The &#8220;gesture of fearlessness&#8221; also represents the moment when <\/span><b>Shakyamuni (the Buddha) tamed a mad elephant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, illustrating his ability to grant fearlessness to his followers.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Gesture of Protection: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why the abhaya mudra is also seen as a \u201c<\/span><b>gesture of protection\u201d or \u201cgesture of granting refuge\u201d.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Abhaya Mudra in Hindu Religion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Integration of Buddha: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, the Buddha was absorbed into the Hindu pantheon as the ninth avatar of the Puranic god Vishnu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Adoption of Abhaya Mudra:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The abhaya mudra appeared in depictions of Hindu deities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most commonly seen in the representations of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ganesha.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Other Mudras in Buddhism<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117681 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/311-66855ade8dce2.webp\" alt=\"Mudras in Buddhism\" width=\"270\" height=\"177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/311-66855ade8dce2.webp 457w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/311-66855ade8dce2-300x197.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dharmachakra Mudra:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dharmachakra Mudra represents<\/span><b> continuous flow of energy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dharmachakra is a Sanskrit word which means <\/span><b>\u201cthe wheel of dharma.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mudra also symbolises<\/span><b> kalachakra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which <\/span><b>refers to the time cycles.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To perform this mudra, bring the tips of the thumb and index fingers of both hands together to form a circle. Keep the remaining three fingers stretched. Place the hands at heart level with the left palm facing the heart and right palm facing outward.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117682 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/312-66855addb6274.webp\" alt=\"Mudras in Buddhism\" width=\"270\" height=\"166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/312-66855addb6274.webp 447w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/312-66855addb6274-300x185.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><b>Dhyan Mudra:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dhy\u0101na mudr\u0101 (&#8220;meditation mudra&#8221;) is the gesture of meditation, of the concentration of the Good Law and the sangha.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with fingers fully stretched (four fingers resting on each other and the thumbs facing upwards towards one another diagonally), palms facing upwards; in this manner, the hands and fingers form the shape of a triangle, which is symbolic of the spiritual fire or the Three Jewels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117683 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/313-66855add6c704.webp\" alt=\"Mudras in Buddhism\" width=\"271\" height=\"246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/313-66855add6c704.webp 395w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/313-66855add6c704-300x272.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 271px) 100vw, 271px\" \/><b>Varada Mudra:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Varada mudra <\/span><b>&#8220;generosity gesture&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> signifies <\/span><b>offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be made with the arm crooked and the palm offered slightly turned up or in the case of the arm facing down the palm presented with the fingers upright or slightly bent.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Bhumisparsa Mudra:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bhumispara mudra is a<\/span><b> hand gesture,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> thought to be adopted by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the moment of his enlightenment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depicts the <\/span><b>story from Buddhist legend of the moment <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when Buddha attained complete enlightenment, with Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the earth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-117684 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/314-66855adc747c7.webp\" alt=\"Mudras in Buddhism\" width=\"272\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/314-66855adc747c7.webp 497w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/314-66855adc747c7-300x219.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The merging of multiple traditions, practices, and cultural influences in Hinduism influenced art and visual depictions of gods.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.227%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 138.119%; 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