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Buddha and the Importance of his Positions

Karana Mudra - Buddha Position for warding off the Evil

The most amazing trip I've made this year was in Thailand.
To understan better Oriental and Southern Asian culture - Lonely Planet Book Guide can help you - you have to know first what Buddhism is and what rappresents there.

Buddhism is not properly a religion, but more a philosophy of life. According to wikipedia it is a philosophy gathering a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices based on original teachings of Buddha. All Buddhist traditions share the goal of overcoming suffering and the cycle of death and rebirth, either by the attainment of Nirvana or through the path of Buddhahood.

However, have you ever noticed that Buddha is always rappresented in different positions? 
Its hands, arms, and gestures changes depending the message he want to give us. 
Therefore, it is essential to know Buddha's positions to undestant better the Buddhist culture.

I was very impressed in the Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) in Bangkok, when I have seen the famous statue of the"Reclining Buddha". It is a 15 m height and 46 m long statue with a giant calm lying down Buddha.
Nice, but what does it mean?
It represents Buddha's entry of into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations.
Reclining Buddha
Soon after I went to temple of Emerald Buddha, and there the position was completely different, a sitting Buddha with his legs crossed, and with both hands reclining on them.
Emerald Buddha
Can you imagine how much important are hands in Buddha's representation? 
They are so important that the position of the hands has a its own name that is “Mudra” that in Sanskrit can be translated as "symbolic gestures performed with the hands and fingers"

Such position described before is the “Dhyana Mudra”, meaning “Meditation”. In this Mudra both the hands in the lap, with the back of the right hand resting on the palm of the left hand with fingers extended. In many statues the thumbs of both hands are shown touching at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle. It also signifies attainment of spiritual perfection. The Mudra was used by Buddha during the final meditation under the 'bodhi tree.'

In the Golden Buddha temple the position of the Buddha, or better, the position of his hands is different again. Buddha in this case is in the Bhumisparsha Mudra, Meaning: 'Touching the Earth.'.
Golden Buddha 
The Buddha is sitted down, the right hand points towards the Earth, hanging over the knee, palm inward. The left hand in this Mudra rests in the lap, palm upright. Significance: It is also known as 'Calling the Earth to Witness the Truth' Mudra, and it represents the moment of Buddha's attaining enlightenment.

In the golden Buddha temple I also found other Buddha representation and position like the Anjali Mudra which means Greetings, devotion, and adoration.
Both hands close to the chest, palms and fingers joined against each other vertically.
This is is common gesture used in India to greet people (Namaste) and also in some Southeast Asian countries. It signifies adoration of the superior and considered a sign of regard with deep respect if done at face level.
Anjali Mudra
However Buddha can also be represented standing, like int the Abhaya Mudra, which means Fearlessness.
In this Mudra, the right hand is generally raised to shoulder height with arm bent. The palm of the right hand faces outwards and the fingers are upright and joined. The left hand hangs downwards by the side of the body. This gesture was shown by Buddha immediately after attaining enlightenment. It symbolises strength and inner security. It is a gesture which instills a sense of fearlessness to others as well.
Standing Buddhas
There are many other representations of Buddha that are present in all Asia, and in particular in India.

I hope that this article will help you to understand better at what are you taking a picture to, and to have better idea if the Buddhist culture.

References:


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