Interpretation of Hand Signs in Buddhist Art

Hand signs (called mudras in Sanskrit) play an important role in Buddhist art. They represent specific events from the life of Sidharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. These events symbolize moral principles important to the discipline. There are six important hand signs: (1) dhyana mudra, (2) varada mudra, (3) abhaya mudra, (4) vitarka mudra, (5) dharmachakra mudra, and (6) bhumispara mudra. The use of these hand signs was popularized by Buddhist universities in India around the 4th or 5th century ad. This paper will examine the symbolism behind the six main hand signs and reveal their message, which will be valuable for modern society.