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Mudra

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A symbolic hand gesture used in Buddhist and Hindu ritual, meditation, and iconography to convey spiritual meanings.

Detailed Definition
Mudras channel energy and embody philosophical concepts—such as wisdom, protection, or teaching—through precise finger positions. In poetry, especially in tantric or Zen contexts, mudras appear as silent language, bridging body and mind. Poets describe them to evoke presence, intention, or the unspoken transmission of truth, turning physical gesture into lyrical metaphor.
Example
Example in poetry:
A meditation poem: “The dhyāna mudrā—hands cradling emptiness—is my daily altar”; In a modern verse, “Mudrā isn’t gesture—it’s energy shaped by intention”; A minimalist reflection: “Mudrā: body speaking silence”; A dancer’s lyric: “My mudrās tell stories fingers alone cannot.”
Additional Notes
A Mudra is a symbolic or ritual gesture, primarily of the hands and fingers, used in Hindu and Buddhist iconography, meditation, and dance. Each mudra has a specific meaning and energetic effect. Common mudras include the Dhyana (meditation) mudra, the Abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, and the Bhumisparsha (earth-touching) mudra, which symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment. They are a non-verbal language of spiritual symbolism.
Also Known As
Hand Gesture Seal
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