Daibutsu, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr. (Click on image to enlarge).For this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, I am using Buddha hands to represent the theme. I took these photos of the large Buddha statue, called Daibutsu, at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan. (See my posting here for more information.) They show the right and left hands of Daibutsu positioned in two different “mudra.” A mudra is a symbolic gesture, usually with the hands, used in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mudra is used primarily to indicate the nature and function of the deity.
The first photo shows the right hand, and the second photo shows parts of both hands. The right hand is in the “Fear Not” mudra, called Semui-in, in Japanese. The left hand, which is visible in the second photo, is in the “Welcome” mudra, called Yogan-in.
The Semui-in mudra represents protection, peace, benevolence, and dispelling of fear. It is usually made with the right hand raised to shoulder height in front of the chest, the arm bent and the palm facing outward with the fingers pointing up. In Japan, when this mudra is used with the middle finger slightly projected forward, it is a symbol of the Shingon Buddhism.
The Yogan-in mudra signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. Primarily represents the fulfillment of wishes and granting of benefits to humanity. The palm offered slightly turned up. This mudra is usually seen in combination with the semui-in mudra.
I tried to make the first photo look like mostly like an old and faded black-and-white, yet keeping some of the color in the hand to emphasize its focus.
Other interesting information:
- Daibutsu (大仏) is the largest bronze statue of Buddha. It is almost 15 meters tall and weighs 500 metric tonnes.
- Todaiji Temple (東大寺 Eastern Great Temple) is the largest wooden building in the world, even though it is only about two-thirds of it’s original size (57 meters x 50 meters).
- Construction of the Todaiji Temple began in year 728 and was completed in 752.
- Nara was the ancient capital of Japan from years 710 to 784
References:
Hi,
What lovely photos for the theme, very nice. 🙂
Todaiji Temple is amazing! Nice post.
reflections flow from this face
David in Maine USA
hope you are well and enjoying the spring season!
Good choice for the theme! Good job
Perfect photos for this theme as the hand positions are so significant. Nice work!
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Certainly, hand is very important for 大仏。 Nice entry. 🙂
Wow, the size relativity of the Buddha to the man is impressive. The japanese are so eloquent and elegant in the way they present art. Just like your post!
The bronze statue of Buddha is majestic! Thank you so much for taking time to tell the story about the temple and the statue and explain the symbol of the hands!
Thanks for the interesting post!
Interesting photos and blog, learnt a bit about the Buddha statue and its representations, thank you.
Very interesting post
What a perfect way to show hands: Mudras! I love your Daibutsu Hand image. On your Daibutsu, you’ve said it all:
“Ancient capital
My eyes breathe inspiration
Wondrous Daibutsu”
https://creativityaroused.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/weekly-photo-challenge-two-subjects/
As Budha advices: Wait! Before you talk: Did you think what you will say?
The first picture is a stunning artwork!
Thank you for including such thoughtful commentaries. This post is very interesting. 🙂
great post and beautiful subject for the theme…
welcome…fear not (~_~)
excellent post
I love your interpretation of this week’s challenge. And thanks for sharing the information. I took an course on eastern philosophy when I was in college, many years ago, and I would love to learn more about them. Another good reason to travel 😉
Hands signalling “fear not” and “welcome” are totally awesome ways to meet this “hands” photo challenge,Fergie. Congratulations! How much we need these signals in our daily lives!
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Great photos and very interesting indeed!!
I remember your post, tt was interesting. Your image are special and worderful.
OMG!!!! I forgot to use my photos from our visit to that temple for this challenge… Glad you did and I love the shots you chose. TY for the reminder and memories. 🙂
Such an interesting post
I have a fascination for Buddha. Everything I look on its image, I think of peace, joy and prosperity. All of which I wish for all of us and for everyone in the World. Beautiful post…Thanks.
I love buddha statues, period! Good entry FM! Margie
Perfect photos for the theme, Fergie!
So serene and lovely. A friendly hand gesture.
Gestures of ‘Fear Not’ and ‘Welcome’…what could be better? Such a splendid sharing, and so interesting!
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Beautiful images!
Huge statues! It reminded me of Golden Palace in Thailand. 🙂
Whatever the theme,you come up with very nice and pleasentphotographs.