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Curious...?

asphixatedasphixated
edited January 2006 in Buddhism Basics
Well, me and my friends went to a Buddhist Meditation place the other night and i saw a few statues and was just wondering what all the hand symbols meant...
these are the only pictures i really took

IMGP3751.jpg
IMGP3762.jpg
IMGP3758.jpg

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited December 2005
    These hand symbols are called 'Mudras' and they are representative of Wisdom, Compassion, Understanding and Assistance... it depends which fingertip is touched by the thumb, because in different traditions which use Mudras, some of the finger 'functions' differ slightly. But that's then gist of it....
    Thank you for the pictures, they're lovely.... However, most temples dislike tourists and visitors taking 'photos, as it's considered disrespectful....
    I'm not criticising.... Just amazed that you managed to get them! :)

    Welcome to our forum, hope to see more of you.... take all the pictures you want! ;)
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited December 2005
    The second pic is, I think, Kwan Yin.
  • zenmonk_genryuzenmonk_genryu
    edited January 2006
    It is indeed Kwan Yin and the Mudra she's using is called the Vitarka or teaching mudra. The circle formed by the fingers representing the wheel of the Dharma.
  • XraymanXrayman Veteran
    edited January 2006
    I have used a few hand and finger gestures before-in traffic.
  • zenmonk_genryuzenmonk_genryu
    edited January 2006
    I keep trying to explain to my American friends that two fingers held up in a V sign at various times, such as when being asked for ID at a bar, is in fact a very venerable Buddhist mudra. Somehow though I think they doubt me.
  • XraymanXrayman Veteran
    edited January 2006
    good one.
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited January 2006
    I used to enjoy explaining the "English archer mudra" to my French colleagues!
  • _BeautifulSpringtime_BeautifulSpringtime Veteran
    edited January 2006
    Simonthepilgrim wrote:
    I used to enjoy explaining the "English archer mudra" to my French colleagues!

    I also enjoy explaining that one to my International students!
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited January 2006
    Hate to shoot you down in flames, but it's a fallacy.....

    "An often-repeated legend has it that the insulting version originates from around the time of the Hundred Years' War. According to the legend, the sign comes from a French threat to amputate the distinctive calloused bow fingers of captured Welsh archers, as without those fingers they would be unable to draw their bows. Likewise the Welsh might have used it themselves as a gesture of provocation (i.e. "Watch out - I've still got my fingers!"). There is little actual evidence to support these historical explanations, but the legend is certainly part of the cultural context of the sign."

    From Here
    :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited January 2006
    All mudras call out to myths, Fede. The truth lies in the fact of the legend rather than in the facts recounted. The fact that the story is told at all says a lot about the nature of the Anglo-French relationship.
  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited January 2006
    Xrayman wrote:
    I have used a few hand and finger gestures before-in traffic.

    That's good.

    I like you.

    -bf
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited January 2006
    Simonthepilgrim wrote:
    All mudras call out to myths, Fede. The truth lies in the fact of the legend rather than in the facts recounted. The fact that the story is told at all says a lot about the nature of the Anglo-French relationship.

    Tell me about it.....:rolleyes:
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited January 2006
    After all, why else would HMG insist on retaining nuclear weapons: since the French have them, we would be overrun (again) if we let our guard down.
  • zenmonk_genryuzenmonk_genryu
    edited January 2006
    Indeed. I always take simple pleasure in reminding our French bretheren about Agincourt. :mullet:
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