Dhyana mudra

Dhyana Mudra

The Dhyāna mudrā (meditation mudra) is the gesture of Meditation, of the concentration of the Good Law and the saṅgha. The two hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left with fingers fully stretched (four fingers resting on each other and the thumbs facing upwards towards one another diagonally), palms facing upwards; in this manner, the hands and fingers form the shape of a triangle, which is symbolic of the spiritual fire or the Triratna (the three jewels). This mudra is used in representations of the Śākyamuni Buddha and Amitābha Buddha. Sometimes the Dhyāna mudrā is used in certain representations of Bhaiṣajyaguru as the Medicine Buddha, with a medicine bowl placed on the hands. It originated in India most likely in the Gandhāra and in China during the Wei period.

• This mudra was used long before the Buddha as yogis have used it during their concentration, healing, and meditation exercises.
• It is heavily used in Southeast Asia in Theravāda Buddhism; however, the thumbs are placed against the palms. (Dhyāna mudrā is also known as Samādhi mudrā or Yoga mudrā; Japanese: Jō-in, Jōkai Jō-in; Chinese: Ding Yin.)

Meaning

In Sanskrit Dhyana means meditation. This mudra is important for one to achieve spiritual progress through meditation. This mudra is important for one to achieve spiritual progress through meditation.

Formation

Being a meditation mudra one has to assume meditative pose like padmasana, sukhasana or siddha asana. Place the left hand on the right hand with palms facing upwards. athis is called Bhairavi mudra, the wrathful form of parvati the consort of Shiva who kills demons. or, one can place right hand above left hand with the palms facing upward and this is called Bhairav mudra, the wrathful tantric aspect of shiva who kills demons; which means these mudras ward off the ailments like heart attack and blood pressure. The hands may form Jnana mudra along with dhyana mudra.

Effects

The palm contains heart related related nerve centres and the back of the hand contains the spine related nerve centres. so, placing the palms one upon the other, activate the centres of heart, lungs, pancress and kidneys on one hand and spinal nerve points on the other.

Benefits

1. Dhyana mudra helps to progress in meditation; and the meditator gets pure thoughts and attains peace.
2. This mudra strengthens the muscles in the body, blood circulation becomes normal.
3. Constant practice of this mudra helps one to free from blood pressureand heart aliments. All nerve centres can be easily activated and therefore one can achieve abundant peace and tranquility, resulting in removal of sleeplessness, over anxiety,indifference, hallucunation, bad dreams, loss of memory, irritability and menatal depression. This mudra aids the practitioner in reaching a state of blissful peace and attain joy of self realization. Therefore, everyday one must practise Dhyana mudra atleast for 10 minutes.