Buddha: symbol of enlightenment, compassion, wisdom
The word Buddha comes from the Sanskrit root ‘budh’, meaning to awaken. Buddhas are those who have awakened to the true nature of things as taught in the Four Noble Truths.
Buddha statues have different meanings depending on the various poses (called Mudras) and what those poses mean.
The five most common mudras are:
- Abhaya mudra: right hand raised and palm facing out, with the left hand down toward the hips and also facing out - symbolizes peaceful intentions
- Bhumisparsha mudra: all five fingers of the right hand reaching to touch the ground - symbolizes the enlightenment of the Buddha under the Bodhi tree
- Dhyana mudra: one or both hands in the lap - symbolizes wisdom
- Dharmachakra mudra: the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle - symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma
- Varada mudra: both hands at waist level, palms out, right hand up and left hand down - symbolizes charity and compassion