What are the handprints of Buddha statues?

Buddhism and its statues originated in India. When ancient Indians conveyed various meanings and inner feelings, they often used the shape and movements of their hands to express them. Therefore, hand movements are of great significance in the modeling of Buddha statues. According to Sanskrit's free translation, the gestures and finger movements in Buddha statues are called "seals", also known as "handprints" or "seals".

There are nine basic impressions of Buddha statues.

The Buddha statue stayed in Tsz Shan Monastery 1 Cave, and the Zen seal was fixed by Shi Chan: "Zen" is a transliteration of Sanskrit, which is a quiet and single-minded seal that eliminates all kinds of distractions and goes deep into meditation. Sit with your hands facing each other, with your knees lying on your back to the subumbilicus area, and your thumb and fingertips connected. It is worth mentioning that the right hand should be placed above the left hand. This is because the ancient Indians thought that the right hand was clean and the left hand was unclean, so they pressed the unclean left hand with the clean right hand to achieve the overall cleanliness of the body. It is said that Sakyamuni Buddha used this posture when he meditated under the bodhi tree and practiced Taoism. In esoteric religion, this kind of handprint is used by Tathagata in the fetal Tibetan world and is called "Dharma Definition Seal".

Demon Seal: Also called "Touch Seal", that is, using magic to subdue demons. According to legend, during Sakyamuni's penance, the devil didn't want him to become a Buddha. In order to stop Sakyamuni from meditating, he kept bothering him. Sakyamuni ruled out interference and finally got the word. The devil does not believe it. Sakyamuni reached out his left finger and touched the ground, asking the earth to testify. The land god proved that he really got the word and made the devil stay away. Therefore, this seal is called "the devil's seal". The specific gestures are: the left hand hangs naturally, the index finger points to the ground, the palm is inward, and the fingertips touch the ground (some use the right hand).

Apply fearless seal: raise your right hand to your chest, shoulder-length, palms outward, and fingers naturally straighten. Its moral is that the Buddha, with his compassionate desire, dispelled the fears of all beings with infinite magic and guided him to the right path of the Buddha.

Offering a vow seal: Also known as offering a vow seal, the left hand naturally hangs down and the palm is outward, indicating that the Buddha has a great wish, so that all the wishes prayed by all beings can be realized. Often used with willing seal and fearless seal, it is a common seal to interpret Muny.

Commentary seal: The thumb and forefinger (or middle finger and ring finger) are locked, and the other fingers naturally extend, indicating that the Buddha is talking. According to legend, Sakyamuni used this seal when he first spoke outside Liuguyuan.

The above five seals are often used in the interpretation of Sakyamuni Buddha, so they are also called "Sakyamuni Five Seals".

Wisdom fist print: Hold the thumb in the palm with the four fingers of the left hand, and then hold the index finger of the left hand on the chest with the right fist. This is the general impression of the Buddha in the diamond industry. It is said that this impression can eliminate ignorance and gain the wisdom of the Buddha.

Legal seal: The gesture of this seal is the same as that of the Zen seal in Sakyamuni's five seals, representing the legal seal of the rational world.

Palm print: put your palms together on your chest and your fingers together. This is a very common impression of Buddhists, and it is used in every Buddhist ceremony or greeting. The palm of your hand prints the bud of the lotus flower, which symbolizes the Buddha's nature or the bodhi mind of those who wish to become a Buddha, that is, confidence.

Nine seals of Amitabha: Amitabha is the master of the western paradise, and he welcomes all beings to the western paradise. According to the records in Guan Wu Tian Shou Jing, all beings can be divided into nine categories according to their ability, quality and behavior, namely, top grade, top grade, middle grade, middle grade, inferior grade, inferior grade, inferior grade and inferior grade. According to the different spiritual levels of all beings in the world, Amitabha led them to the western paradise according to different treatment after their death. If it is a top-grade living person, Amitabha will always meet with a large number of people and die in an instant. The lower you go, the lower your salary and the longer you will die in bliss.

Nine pictures consist of nine different gestures, and sculptures in different places have slightly different shapes for these nine gestures.

The main statue of the Thousand Seals Hall in Longmen Grottoes, with the left hand wishing seal and the right hand fearless seal. The disciple on the left of the Lord closed his hands.

Nine seals of amitabha; Nine seals of amitabha.