Apr 30 2010
The Buddha’s Earth Touching Pose
Known by many names, the ‘earth touching’ pose of the Buddha is the Bhumisparsha mudra, [which means literally 'touching the earth.' A mudra is a [motion or gesture of the hands and body to express a feeling or thought.|Mudras are gestures or motions of the body and hands designed to communicate a feeling or thought non-verbally.] the foundation of Buddhist meditation rituals.|Buddhist meditation rituals are based on the many different mudras.] Buddha statues and is also referred to as the ‘earth witness’ mudra.|Buddha statues are often depicted in the earth touching mudra which is also known as ‘the earth witness’ position.]
The earth touching mudra [is performed by extending the five fingers of the right hand and placing them on the ground with the palm facing inward toward the body.|To perform this mudra, the hand is placed on the ground with all fingers touching. The palm faces inward.] It is [a symbol of the moment when Buddha summoned the goddess, Shthavara to witness the moment in which he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.|It's believed that Buddha assumed the earth touching position after he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree to call the goddess Shthavra to witness the event.] Occassionally, you may see this mudra referred to as ‘Summoning the Earth Goddess to Witness.’
Buddha figurines in the earth touching mudra have the right arm resting on the right knee with the fingers of the hand extended downward. The statue shows the Buddha with his left hand resting in his lap with the palm skyward in the meditation mudra (dhyana mudra). The combination of mudras is intended to symbolize the union of wisdom and method, Nirvana and Samasra. (Buddhist teachings tell the tale of how Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, assumed the earth touching pose to resist against the temptations and distractions of the demon Mara who sought to lure the Buddha from his spiritual life.|The teachings of the Buddhist faith speak of how the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, resisted the temptations of the demon Mara by taking the earth touching pose.] In Buddhist folklore, Mara was viewed as everything from an all powerful demon to a gremlin-like nuisance. One story tells of how Mara summoned his daughter’s to seduce the Buddha and distract him from his spiritual journey. This has parallels to the mythology of other cultures, similar to Greek sirens.
The earth touching pose is associated with Akshobhya, one of the Five Great Buddhas. He is a representation of confidence, determination and strength relected in his depiction in the Bhumisparsha mudra (earth touching). The concept of the Five Great Buddhas was an evolution of the Buddhist theology. Initially only two existed, wisdom and compassion.
Akshobhya is the wise Buddha of the East, believed to possess a mirror-like wisdom that converts anger to wisdom. He is associated with the element water which also has reflective properties.
Display of an earth touching pose Buddha statue can be a prompt us to remember the Buddha’s resolve and need to channel our anger into wisdom.
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