The Dharmachakra Mudra is also known as ‘Turning the Wheel of Dharma’. It symbolizes the moment when Buddha preached his first sermon after reaching enlightenment. We can be thought of as a symbolic gesture of the Buddha setting the wheel of Dharma teaching in motion. The wheel itself is the wheel of the law consisting of eight spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path. These are Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Each one is part of the Buddhist philosophy of the search for Wisdom, Ethical Conduct and Mental Development.
In this Dharma Wheel pose, the tips of the thumb and index fingers of both hands touch to form circles. This represents the wheel of Dharma. It can be thought of in metaphysical terms as the union of method and wisdom. The other fingers are extended and each one has a symbolic meaning.
On the right hand, the middle finger symbolizes those who listen to the Buddha’s teachings. The ring finger is the one that represents the solitary filmmakers. The little finger is the Mahayana or Great Vehicle. The fingers of the left hand are the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Sangha, and the Dharma. The proper position for this mudra has the hands placed in front of the heart to represent the teachings that emanate directly from the heart of the Buddha.
The Dharamachakara Mudra was assumed by the first Vairochana Buddha, one of the five Dhyani Buddhas. His name meant “He who is like the sun” or “He who radiates”. He possessed the wisdom of Dharmadhatu, where all things appear as they really are, the absolute Buddha nature. By taking the position of this mudra, Vairochana Buddha turned ignorance into reality.
Mudras are typically a symbol of a critical event within the Buddha’s life or an important tenant of his teachings. Turning the Wheel of Dharma is a well-known pose of the Buddha that is frequently captured in Buddhist art and in Buddha statues seen in Asia and around the world. The Dharmachakra Mudra is also known as ‘Turning the Wheel of Dharma’. It symbolizes the moment when Buddha preached his first sermon after reaching enlightenment. We can be thought of as a symbolic gesture of the Buddha setting the wheel of Dharma teaching in motion. The wheel itself is the wheel of the law consisting of eight spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path. These are Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Each one is part of the Buddhist philosophy of the search for Wisdom, Ethical Conduct and Mental Development.
In this Dharma Wheel pose, the tips of the thumb and index fingers of both hands touch to form circles. This represents the wheel of Dharma. It can be thought of in metaphysical terms as the union of method and wisdom. The other fingers are extended and each one has a symbolic meaning.
On the right hand, the middle finger symbolizes those who listen to the Buddha’s teachings. The ring finger is the one that represents the solitary filmmakers. The little finger is the Mahayana or Great Vehicle. The fingers of the left hand are the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Sangha, and the Dharma. The proper position for this mudra has the hands placed in front of the heart to represent the teachings that emanate directly from the heart of the Buddha.
The Dharamachakara Mudra was assumed by the first Vairochana Buddha, one of the five Dhyani Buddhas. His name meant “He who is like the sun” or “He who radiates”. He possessed the wisdom of Dharmadhatu, where all things appear as they really are, the absolute Buddha nature. By taking the position of this mudra, Vairochana Buddha turned ignorance into reality.
Mudras are typically a symbol of a critical event within the Buddha’s life or an important tenant of his teachings. Turning the Wheel of Dharma is a well-known pose of the Buddha that is frequently captured in Buddhist art and in Buddha statues seen in Asia and around the world.