MUDRA DHYANA The Dhyana mudra may be made with one or both hands. When made with a single hand the left one is placed in the lap, while the right may be engaged elsewhere. The left hand making the Dhyana mudra in such cases symbolizes the female left-hand principle of wisdom. Ritual objects such as a text, or more commonly an alms bowl symbolizing renunciation, may be placed in the open palm of this left hand. This gesture expresses overcoming the world of appearance through enlightenment, as well as the enlightened state of mind for which samsara and nirvana are one. When made with both hands, the hands are generally held at the level of the stomach or on the thighs. The right hand is placed above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the fingers extended. In some cases the thumbs of the two hands may touch at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle. The esoteric sects obviously attribute to this triangle a multitude of meanings, the most important being the identification with the mystic fire that consumes all impurities. This triangle is also said to represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism, mentioned above, namely the Buddha himself, the Good Law and the Sangha.

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The Dhyana mudra is the mudra of meditation, of concentration on the Good law, and of the attainment of spiritual perfection. According to tradition, this mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating under the pipal tree before his Enlightenment. This gesture was also adopted since time immemorial, by yogis during their meditation and concentration exercises. It indicates the perfect balance of thought, rest of the senses, and tranquillity.

This is the most common mudra used to depict the Buddha when meditating under the Bodhi tree before his Enlightenment. This mudra has been widely adopted by yogis and various practitioners during meditation and concentration exercises and it indicates perfect balance of thought, rest of the senses and tranquility. The Gesture of Meditation is also showed with a beggingbowl, but not with an other kind of bowl.

Variants: Samadhi, Yoga Mudra, Zenjou-in (Japan).

The back of the right hand rests on the palm of the other in such a way that the tips of the thumbs lightly touch one another.
The hands rest in the lap. The right hand,
resting on top, symbolizes the state of enlightenment;
the other hand, resting below, the world of appearance.

In a special form of this mudra, the middle, ring,
and little fingers of both hands lie on top one another
and the thumbs and index finger of each hand,
touching each other, form a circle,
which here also symbolizes the world of appearance and the true nature of reality.