Mudra: Difference between revisions
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''''' | '''Mudra''' (Skt. ''mudrā''; Tib. ''chakgya''; [[Wyl.]] ''phyag rgya''), which literally means 'seal', is most commonly used in the context of [[Vajrayana]] practice and in iconography to refer to ritual hand gestures, which, together with [[mantra]], are intended to enhance [[samadhi]]. Such gestures can represent particular [[deity|deities]], aspects of [[enlightenment]] or offering substances. It is common to speak of mantra, mudra and samadhi as a triad, wherein mantra corresponds to enlightened speech, mudra to enlightened body, and samadhi to enlightened mind. In fact, the word mudra can refer to the deity's form as a whole or to their insignia. The teachings also refer to [[four mudras|four kinds of mudra]]. Mudra is, together with mantra, the tenth of the [[ten topics of tantra]] described in the teachings connected with the ''[[Guhyagarbha Tantra]]''. | ||
==Some common mudras== | |||
* | *[[Mudra of supreme generosity]] | ||
*[[Mudra of teaching the Dharma]] | |||
[[Category:Key Terms]] | [[Category:Key Terms]] | ||
[[Category:mudras]] | [[Category:mudras]] | ||
Revision as of 15:55, 17 November 2010
Mudra (Skt. mudrā; Tib. chakgya; Wyl. phyag rgya), which literally means 'seal', is most commonly used in the context of Vajrayana practice and in iconography to refer to ritual hand gestures, which, together with mantra, are intended to enhance samadhi. Such gestures can represent particular deities, aspects of enlightenment or offering substances. It is common to speak of mantra, mudra and samadhi as a triad, wherein mantra corresponds to enlightened speech, mudra to enlightened body, and samadhi to enlightened mind. In fact, the word mudra can refer to the deity's form as a whole or to their insignia. The teachings also refer to four kinds of mudra. Mudra is, together with mantra, the tenth of the ten topics of tantra described in the teachings connected with the Guhyagarbha Tantra.