| aya Mudra is referred to as the "pose of dispelling | | | | In Laos and Thailand, the dispelling fear pose is most |
| fear." It is the Sanskrit word 'fearlessness' and this | | | | commonly seen in images of Buddha in a standing |
| pose or mudra is one of the most common Buddha | | | | position.This mudra is most identified with the fifth |
| statue poses. It symbolizes peace and protection | | | | Dyhani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi. The five Dyhani |
| and is believed to create energy that removes fear | | | | Buddhas are the 5 wisdom Buddhas or great Buddhas |
| and doubt. This pose is achieved by extending the | | | | who symbolize the essence of the Buddhist |
| right arm. In the dispelling fear mudra, the palm of | | | | philosophy. |
| the hand faces out at shoulder height and the arm is | | | | They are often represented as the cardinal directions |
| slightly bent. | | | | - North, South, East, West and then Center . |
| As a Buddhist symbol of fearlessness, it emphasizes | | | | Those wishing to remove negative feelings like |
| the spiritual power of the bodhisattva or Buddha who | | | | jealousy and emphasize one's own accomplishments. |
| makes it. A bodhisattva is an enlightened being who | | | | Since jealousy can be considered a form of the fear, |
| has embraced Buddhahood. The gesture can also be | | | | the use of the pose makes sense.In most statues of |
| considered symbolic of friendship as the empty hand | | | | Buddha in the dispelling fear pose the right hand |
| is devoid of weapons. The position is often | | | | assumes the Abhaya Mudra while the left hand hangs |
| misinterpreted by Westerners as an indication to | | | | at the Buddha side. |
| "stop," but it really represents courage in the face of | | | | Sometimes the left-hand makes the varada mudra, a |
| danger. | | | | gift-giving gesture. The dispelling fear pose can also |
| The Abhaya Mudra is believed to be the gesture that | | | | be interpreted as the action of preaching in some |
| the Buddha Shakyamuni made after gaining | | | | Buddhist art. This is most common in Chinese and |
| enlightenment. Tales from the Buddhist religion | | | | Gandhara Buddha interpretations. |
| often tell of the Buddha's use of the dispelling fear | | | | Display of a Buddha statue in the dispelling fear pose |
| pose to pacify potential enemies. Only a Buddha | | | | can have many purposes within the home beyond |
| statue or bodhisattva sculpture would be seen in the | | | | Asian decor. It's most obvious use is as a symbol of |
| dispelling fear pose, as it is only useful to those who | | | | protection and safety. |
| have achieved enlightenment. | | | | |