Recognizing the Dispelling Fear Pose
{The Abhaya Mudra is referred to as the “dispelling fear pose.” It is the Sanskrit word ‘fearlessness’ and this pose or mudra is one of the most common Buddha statue poses. It symbolizes peace and protection and is believed to create energy that removes fear and doubt. This pose is achieved extending the right arm. In the dispelling fear mode draw, the home of the hand faces out at shoulder height and the arm is slightly bent.
As a Buddhist symbol of fearlessness, it emphasizes the spiritual power of the bodhisattva or Buddha who makes it. A bodhisattva is being who has achieved an enlightened state and embraced the Buddhahood. The dispelling fear mudra can also be thought of as a symbol of friendship as the hands are empty and weaponless. While the extended exposed palm may appear to westerners as though it suggests a “stop” motion, it really courage in the face of danger.
Buddhist historians believe that the dispelling fear pose was the gesture made by the Buddha Shakyamuni just after he achieved enlightenment. Stories from Buddhist mythology often tell of the Buddha’s use of the dispelling fear pose to pacify the enemies who threatened him. Only a Buddha statue or bodhisattva sculpture would be seen in the dispelling fear pose, as it is only useful to those who have achieved enlightenment. In Laos and Thailand, the pose of dispelling fear is most often seen in Buddha statues where the Buddha stands.
The dispelling fear pose is most identified with the fifth Dyhani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi. The five Dyhani Buddhas are the 5 wisdom Buddhas or great Buddhas who symbolize the essence of the Buddhist philosophy. In Buddhist art and teachings the five great Buddhas are positioned at North, South, East, West with one in the center. It is common to meditate on Amoghasiddhi to remove negative feelings like jealousy and emphasize one’s own accomplishments. Since jealousy can be considered a form of the fear, the use of the pose makes sense.
when we see the Buddha in the dispelling fear pose, usually the right-hand is in theAbhaya Mudra with the left hand resting at the Buddha side. Sometimes the left-hand makes the varada mudra, a gift-giving gesture. The dispelling fear pose can also be interpreted as the action of preaching in some Buddhist art. This is most common in Chinese and Gandhara Buddha interpretations.
Display of a Buddha statue in the dispelling fear pose can have many purposes within the home beyond Asian decor. It’s most obvious use is as a symbol of protection and safety. It can also be a reminder of the need for personal strength and emphasize our desire to abolish our own fear and doubt. }