| Buddha statues illustrate 'Buddharupas' which | | | | Vajradhara, Vasundhara, etc. |
| represent the teachings of the Buddha. The path | | | | A popular standing Buddha holds a rice bowl patra |
| of enlightenment to achieve Nirvana is the | | | | on one hand and the other hand is raised with a |
| ultimate goal of Buddhism. Buddha is the one who | | | | palm facing outside in front of his chest giving |
| has learned from the truth of nature and got | | | | blessings. Examples are Avalokiteshvara, Dipankar |
| enlightened. Buddha is simply a human who has | | | | Buddha, Dancing Tara, Hayvajra, Heruka, |
| undergone a thoughtful spiritual alteration. | | | | Vajrayogini, Megha Samvara, Vajravarahi, |
| A Buddha statue itself is the symbol of sacred | | | | Vajrapani, Vajrakilla, Ekjata, Chakrasamvara, etc. |
| learning, that are represented in almost every | | | | The reclining Buddha symbolizes the passing away |
| portion of the figure. Unknown to many each | | | | and Nirvana. |
| physical element of the Buddha rupa symbolizes | | | | Here are few of the main hand gestures or |
| the Buddha's teaching. | | | | mudra the sitting or standing postures may have |
| Different positions of Buddha statues and their | | | | 1. Meditation Mudra - Amitabha - Here, one of the |
| meanings. | | | | palms is placed on top of another. with both palms |
| There are various Buddha rupas in different | | | | facing upward. |
| positions; mainly in sitting, standing and in a | | | | 2. Protection Mudra - Ratna Sambhava - Right |
| reclining position. | | | | hand is raised with palm facing out |
| A popular Buddha statue in a sitting position on a | | | | 3. Teaching Mudra - Vairochana - Both hands |
| lotus flower is the Buddha in a meditating form | | | | raised in front of chest with palms facing out. |
| called Dhyana mudra. In this position Buddha is | | | | 4. Enlightened Mudra - Shakyamuni - The |
| seen to have crossed legs along with different | | | | enlightened one Right hand down with a finger |
| kinds of hand gestures.The Dhyana mudra | | | | touching the earth representing the earth as a |
| represents the state of meditating or practice of | | | | witness to his enlightenment. |
| viapassana meditation which is the ultimate path | | | | 5. Blessing Mudra - Amoghasiddhi - Right hand laid |
| to achieving enlightenment called "Nirvana". | | | | down with palm facing out |
| Different kinds of Buddhas in a sitting position are | | | | There are literally hundreds of other mudras and |
| Shakyamuni Buddha, Dhyani Buddhas ( Amitabha, | | | | different kinds of Buddha statues. Click on the link |
| Amoghsiddhi, Akshobhya, Vairochana, Ratna | | | | below to have more free information on mudras |
| Sambhava), Vajrasattva, Green Tara, White Tara, | | | | and Buddha statues. |
| Manjushri, Kharcheri, Kubera, Padmasambava, | | | | |