Bhudisim facts

1) Karana Mudra

This mudra keeps negativity at bay. To perform this Mudra, stretch your hand either vertically or horizontally.
Turn the palm forward. Now using your thumb press down the two middle fingers and extend the index and
little finger straight upwards. Energy created by performing this mudra helps in expelling negativity from
your mind and soul.
2) 2) Varada Mudra

This gesture signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. It is a left hand gesture in
which the arm is hanging naturally at the side of the body and the palm facing outward, and the fingers
extended.
3) 3) Uttarabodhi Mudra

It signifies supreme enlightenment as it charges one with positive energy and vibrations. The mudra helps
one in staying connected with oneself and the divine universal energy. In order to perform this Mudra, both
hands are placed at the heart; index fingers touching and pointing upwards and the remaining fingers
intertwined. Try holding the Uttarabodhi mudra for a couple minutes and feel the subtle energy shift in your
body.
4) 4) Namaskara or Anjali Mudra

Namaskara mudra is used in Indian culture to greet people and as a sign of respect. This Mudra is performed
by pressing the palms together and holding it to the center of the chest or the heart chakra; fingers pointing
towards the sky. The mudra evokes positive vibrations in the body teaching us the fact that we are all one
and we must acknowledge/adore the existence of light in one another. This Mudra helps in staying
grounded and humble.
5) 5) Vitarka Mudra

This mudra evokes the energy of teaching and intellectual discussion, or argument. In this gesture tips of the
thumb and index finger touch to form a circle that creates a constant flow of energy and information. All the
other fingers are extended upwards. This Mudra gives us the energy required to attain clarity of mind.
6) 6) Abhay mudra

Abhay is translated as fearlessness. In this Mudra, the right hand is brought to the shoulder level and the
palm faces outward and fingers extend upwards. History says that when Buddha was attacked by an
elephant, he used this mudra to stop the flow of negative energy (fear). This Mudra gives us the energy to
stand strong.
7) 7) Dhyana mudra

This mudra depicts absolute concentration in the process of meditation. Place both your hands on the lap
with the right hand placed on the left and fingers fully stretched, palms facing outwards; thumbs of both the
hands will touch creating a triangle, cleansing of any impurities on an etheric level. Practicing this Mudra will
fill you with deep sense of peace and serenity.
8) 8) Bhumisparsha mudra

Bhumisparsha translates to touching the earth where the mudra symbolizes the fact that the earth witnessed
 Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This was the Hand gesture of Buddha when he accomplished
Enlightenment. In this Mudra, the right arm hangs over the right knee with the right palm turned inward and
the left hand is placed on the lap with the left palm faced upwards.
9) 9) Vajradhara mudra

In this mudra the wrists are crossed, over the heart, with the right forearm placed in front of the left one; this
gesture symbolizes the highest energy and the union of compassion and wisdom necessary to reach
enlightenment. In vajradhara mudra, one is free from judgement, notions, theories, fate, truth and any
concept that defines enlightenment; as they say, enlightenment is not defining it.

10) Dharmachakra Mudra

Depicts the continuous flow of energy in the cosmos. Here the hand gesture symbolizes the energy of the
universe in the form of a chakra/wheel. Both the hands are placed near the chest, the left palm faces the
heart and right palm faces outwards; index finger and thumb form a circle like Vitarka mudra. This mudra
represents the whole universe in a nutshell.
Gautam Buddha

birth - lumbini

enlightenment - bodh gaya

1st sermon - sarnath

death – kusinagara
1. Kutagarashala: A hut with pointed roof where intellectual debates took place between the Buddhist
mendicants

2. Tripitaka (lit. meaning 3 baskets to hold text)

-None of the Buddha’s speeches were written in his lifetime.
-Compiled later @ Vaishali
-Vinaya Pitaka- rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order;
-Sutta Pitaka- Buddha’s teachings
-Abhidhamma Pitaka- philosophical matters

3. Initially only men were allowed in the sangha but later women were also allowed. The Buddha’s foster
mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni.

4.Therigatha : collection of verses composed by the Buddhist nuns, is a part of the Sutta Pitaka.

5. Ashoka erected a pillar @ Lumbini (Buddha's birth place) to mark that he had visited the place.

6.Nirvana refers to the imperturbable stillness of mind after the fires of desire, aversion, and delusion
have been finally extinguished.

7. The Buddha regarded the social world as the creation of humans rather than of divine origin. Thus,
individual effort was expected to transform social relations.
Person should avoid excess of both luxury & austerity, prescribes a middle path. Buddha did not
consider the existence of God to be important.
- Buddhism does not believe in existence of soul. the Buddhist doctrine of Anatta/ Anatman i.e., no
soul or no self: There is no permanent essence of an individual self that survives death. But then what
about Jatakas (stories of past life's of Budhha) / reincarnation?
A There is no corresponding word in Buddhist lit to 'rebirth'/ 'transmigration'/ 'reincarnation'
It is not the soul that is born again. It is the 'Evolving Consciousness' that reincarnates
Causes of the decline of Buddhism
-Monks gave up Pali (lang. of the people) & took up Sanskrit
-corrupt practices @ monasteries
-Idol Worship=royal grants=easy/luxurious life of monks=riches also attracted Turkish invaders
-Persecution of Buddhists by brahman, Shaivite rulers.