How often have you walked into someone’s home and spotted a beautiful Buddha statue or painting? Many of us already have a Buddha, in some form, in our own homes. But brass statues manufacturers point out that not all of us have dug deep into the hidden meaning of Buddha’s different postures and positions.
At a glance, most Buddha depictions seem alike – a robe covering one shoulder to show his simple way of living, a bindi on his forehead that symbolizes the meditative third eye, and long ear lobes and top knotted hair to show he was once a Prince. Not just this, according to metal statue manufacturer in India, the different mudras also play a big role in helping you decide which part of the house to place a Buddha in.
● Dhyana Mudra
The Meditative or Serenity Buddha is in a state of Dhyana or meditation, before attaining enlightenment. He is seated with legs crossed in the lotus position, palms facing upward, and the right hand resting on the left with thumbs touching. Practitioners of Buddhism use this pose to meditate and focus on non-attachment.
● Bhumisparsha Mudra
This mudra symbolizes the moment of Buddha’s enlightenment. In this pose, his legs are crossed, left-hand faces upwards raised above the lap, and the right-hand points to the ground touching (sparse) the earth (bhumi), as a witness to the moment of enlightenment.
● Dharmachakra Mudra
Here, Buddha’s fingers form a circle with the thumb and forefinger using both hands, and they are held close at the chest level, touching each other. The fingers are symbolic of Buddha turning the Dharmachakra (wheel of righteousness), and imparting knowledge to his disciples after attaining enlightenment.
● Vitarka mudra
While most Buddhas are shown in a sitting position, one in the Virtaka mudra can be in a walking or standing position, as he is helping others attain enlightenment. The right or left-hand points skywards, with the thumb and forefinger touching as a symbol of peace. The other hand faces downward to symbolize bestowal and explanation of dharma.
● Abhaya mudra
The Abhaya mudra is a symbol of protection and also a gesture of fearlessness. Buddha’s right-hand faces looking up with all fingers forward. This mudra is often depicted along with another mudra using the left hand.
● Varada mudra
In this Mudra, the left-hand faces downwards to show compassion or granting a boon. This mudra is used along with the Abhaya mudra and is often seen on a standing Buddha.
● Reclining Buddha
Most statutes and illustrations of Buddha show him in sitting or standing asanas with his fingers shaped into a mudra. Brass idol traders say that this depicts the last moments of Buddha before attaining nirvana and escaping samsara or rebirth.
Lord Buddha’s seen across the world today are replicas of statues enshrined in various temples or are reproductions of famous statues commissioned by patrons. As Buddhism spread across the world from India to other places, the statues started taking on local characteristics.