Vitarka Mudra
Meaning & origin of the teaching mudra
The Vitarka or teaching mudra depicts the Buddha teaching.
The mudra is found on sitting, standing, walking and reclining images. It is usually made with one hand, although it is sometimes depicted with two hands. The hand making the gesture, usually the right one, is held upward close to the chest, the palm facing outward. The tips of the index finger and thumb touch creating a circle symbolizing perfection with no beginning or end. The other three fingers point upward.
The Vitarka mudra is most often depicted on images originating from central Thailand.
Meaning and origin of the Vitarka mudra
The Vitarka mudra symbolizes teaching and discussion. It shows the transmission of knowledge and insight, gained after reaching enlightenment. The Buddha spent much of his time explaining both his disciples and the people about the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings.
First sermon at the deer park in Sarnath
Shortly after having reached enlightenment in Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon to his first five disciples at the deer park. This is known as the Dhamma Chakra, the “setting in motion of the wheel of Dhamma”, the Buddhist teachings. At the spot where the deer park used to be now stands the Dhamek stupa dating back to the 6th century, constructed to commemorate the Buddha’s first sermon.
Teaching his mother in the Tavatimsa Heaven
When the Buddha had attained full enlightenment he went to the Tavatimsa Heaven to teach his mother, Maha Maya who died seven days after his birth and was reborn in the Tavatimsa Heaven. The Buddha spent the three months of the rains retreat teaching to give his mother and the celestial beings that lived in the Tavatimsa Heaven the benefit of knowing the Buddhist teachings, the Dhamma. After three months the Buddha returned to Earth on a ladder of jewels, flanked by a ladder of gold used by the God Indra and a ladder of silver used by Brahma.
Famous Buddha images in Vitarka mudra
Some of the best known images in Vitarka mudra include the walking Buddhas at the Wat Sa Si and the Wat Tra Phang Ngoen, both in Sukhothai Historical Park.
More mudras
Some other often seen mudras are: