A mudrā is a ritual gesture in Buddhism. Mudrā positions are usually formed by both the hand and the fingers. Each mudrā has a specific effect on the practitioner. There are ten types of mudrās.The most common characteristics of Abhaya-mudrā, the right hand is kept upward and facing is turned outwards. The fingers are very slightly bent. In some statue, the hand is directed upward but it is turned to the left. It also indicated consolation free from rear hence. This is the Buddha’s attitude of expression to the devotees not to be afraid of anything. In Sri Lanka, most of the standing statue hand is this gesture. E.g. Maligavera and Rest-vehera.
At the Rājamahāvihāra, the Varada-mudrā is used by the right hand. It can be made with the arm crooked and the palm offered slightly turned up with the fingers upright. Sometime both hands are kept down with opened palm. This indicated the generosity of Buddha and giving to emancipation.
The Samādhi-mudra is a posture of meditation. The Buddha sits cross legged. The right hand is kept on the left hand and both hands are on his legs. The hands are kept facing the palm upwards. The Samādhi Buddha’s Statue exhibited this posture at Anuradapura. The seated (āsanas) Buddha’s Statue with this mudrā is point out the serene joys and emotion of the Buddha free from defilements. This type of Statue is at Masirigiriya of Polonnaruva.
The Vitarka-mudrā form is small circle; the three fingers are slightly bent. It is done by joining the tips of the thumb and the index together, and keeping the other fingers straight. This mudrā indicated Buddha’s Karunā and Pañña.
The Kataka-mudrā thumb is learning towards the second finger, the middle and ring finger are bent to form an arch. The last finger is slightly bent inwards. The other fingers are Erect. There it is a Buddha statue with this Mudrā in the Colombo Museum.
The Bhūmisparsha-mudrā right hand is foot down from the right knee. The palm is turn downwards. The left hand is kept on the lap with the palm turn upwards. He pointed out his hand towards the earth and said the earth is the only evidence for Buddha-hood. During the Kandy period, there are paintings with this posture.
The Dhammacakka-mudrā right hand is held up. The thumb and the second fingers are kept close forming a circle. The others three fingers are slightly bent. The left hand is kept close to the right hand. It is turn towards the body and the thumb is close to the next finger which is bent. It is points out the explanation of the Buddha first sermon.
The Patigrahana-mudrā both hands are kept on the lap with the palm turn upwards at the ‘Hindagala’ in Kandy. It indicated the Buddha is ready to accept and a person standing near him is trying to offer something to the Buddha.
The Vitarkajanuhasata-mudrā is at ‘Polonnaruva-thevanka’ image house. There, the Buddha picture can be seen seated inside a boat. The right hand exhibit ‘Vitarka-mudrā’, the left hand is kept on the left knee with the finger turning down wards and well stretched out.
Finally, the Avadhana-mudrā has at Polonnaruva rock temple. This mudrā had been various names from time by Scholar.
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