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As you know, mudra are some of the gestures used by Lord Buddha and are crafted in Buddhist sculptures.
Such as Abhaya Mudra, Bhumisparsha Mudra, and much more are some of the popular mudras.
Are they the tradition of Burmese art in Myanmar only or are they included in Japanese Buddhist art or other tradition in other countries.
As you know, mudra are some of the gestures used by Lord Buddha and are crafted in Buddhist sculptures.
Such as Abhaya Mudra, Bhumisparsha Mudra, and much more are some of the popular mudras.
Are they the tradition of Burmese art in Myanmar only or are they included in Japanese Buddhist art or other tradition in other countries.
Mudras, as I understand it, are hand (mostly) gestures from Hindu tradition. Found in Hindu statuary, art and indeed dance. It is to be expected that this would carry over into Buddhism, with gestures for peace and discourse and calling the earth to witness. They are found in all Buddhist Iconography, whether Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China or Japan.
I may have a look for various mudras and examples of the art.
The abhaya mudra is the open right hand, palm out, fingers pointing up, raised to about the height of the shoulder. Abhaya represents the accomplishment of enlightenment, and usually it signifies the Buddha immediately after his realization of enlightenment.
Anjali Mudra. Westerners associate this gesture with prayer, but in Buddhism the anjali mudra represents "suchness" (tathata) -- the true nature of all things, beyond distinction.
The bhumisparsha mudra is also called the "earth witness" mudra. In this mudra, the left hand rests palm up on the lap and the right hand reaches over the knee toward the earth. The mudra recalls the story of the historical Buddha's enlightenment, when he asked the earth to bear witness to his worthiness to become a buddha.
In the dharmachakra mudra, the thumbs and index fingers of both hands touch and form a circle, and the circles touch each other. The three other fingers of each hand are extended. Often the left palm is turned toward the body and the right palm away from the body.
"Dharmachakra" means "dharma wheel." This mudra recalls the Buddha's first sermon, which is sometimes referred to as the turning of the dharma wheel. It also represents the union of skillful means (upaya) and wisdom (prajna).
Dhyāna Mudrā This gesture indicates meditation, or more exactly the highest state of tranquility (samādhi or sānmótí. Although long used in India as a position for the hands during meditation, in Buddhist art this gesture is usually associated with buddhas, therefore usually Sakyamuni or Shìjiāmóuní fó
Demon-Quelling Gesture - [IMG]file:///C:\Users\arequipa\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\ 01\clip_image002.jpg[/IMG]Kāraṇa Mudrā
This gesture subdues negativity, including demons, negative thoughts, illness, and all other obstacles. It consists of holding up the hand, with the two middle fingers folded back into the palm and held by the thumb. In art it occurs in scenes of active conquest of demons.
Tarjani Mudrā. This gesture, sometimes called the “diamond mudrā,” is made by closing both hands into fists (with the thumbs inside) and crossing the wrists in front of the chest. Although there are variants, usually the palm side of the wrist faces away from the body, and the right arm is closer to the chest than the left arm. (Sometimes the palms face in and the left arm is closer to the chest.)
This gesture consists of one hand held up with the forefinger extended, and is, as among English speakers, a combination of teaching and warning. It is often seen on statues of the Bodhisattva Guānyīn.
Enlightenment Gesture
Uttarabodhi Mudrā
This gesture represents highest enlightenment. Both hands are held at the level of the chest, the two raised index fingers touch one another, the remaining fingers are crossed and folded down.; the thumbs touch each other at the tips or are crossed and folded. This mudrā is frequently seen in images of the Buddha Vairocana
In the vajra mudra, the right index finger is wrapped by left hand. This mudra also is called the bodhyangi mudra, the mudra of supreme wisdom or the fist of wisdom mudra.
In the vajrapradama mudra, the fingertips of the hands are crossed. It represents unshakable confidence.
In the varada mudra, the open hand is held palm outward, fingers pointing down. This may be the right hand, although when the varada mudra is combined with the abhaya mudra, the right hand is in abhaya and the left hand is in varada.
The varada mudra represents compassion and wish-granting. It is associated with the dhyani buddha
In the vitarka mudra the right hand is held at chest level, fingers pointing up and palm outward. The thumb and index finger form a circle. Sometimes the left hand is held with fingers pointing downward, at hip level, also with palm outward and with the thumb and index finger forming a circle.
This mudra represents discussion and transmission of Buddha's teachings.
I do not know the sign for 2nd-hand cut -and -paste Wisdom.
The 'mudra' is a basic gesture in Buddhism and such gestures in various forms are common is other religion.
Such gestures often represent positive mental attitudes as opposed to rude gestures such a pointing one's index fingers directly at one person or other gestures that stir negative instincts and emotions.
Thus these 'mudras' or gestures do reflect one's state of mind and can also influence one's state of mind.
The Vajrayana relied on such association of the ability to influence one's mind toward the higher positive states of mind by extending the 'mudra' to the Mahamudra. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahamudra
These Mahamudra are rituals used [very necessary and effectively*] to reinforce the spiritual foundations of the spiritual aspirant.
*verifiable via the various neurosciences.
Is there a Adi mudra in Hindu tradition?
It's gesture in which two fist are touched together in order to make the flow of chi energy within the body.
Not that I can recall seeing.
Yes. It seems in Yoga. Various forms of Adi Mudra. Not in Hindu iconography that I can see.
Wiki has this to say:
Adi Mudrā
The thumb is folded into the palm, touching the base of the small finger. The rest of the fingers are folded over the thumb, to create a fist. The hands are placed palms-down on the thighs while sitting in Vajrasana. This mudra activates the pectoral muscles, making the chest expand forward on inhalation. Slow rhythmic breathing in a 5-2-4-2 rhythm (5 being the exhalation, and 4 is the inhalation) makes prana flow in the throat and in the head.
Yeah that's what I thought too,
especially from the place I came from, I haven't heard of such mudra.
It must be from yoga tradition.
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