Question

Lord Buddha's image is sometimes show gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes

(a) Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation

(b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara

(c) Buddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory

(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context

Answer 1

(b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara

The earth witness Buddha is one of the most common iconic images of Buddhism. It depicts the Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap and his right hand touching the earth. This represents the moment of the Buddha's enlightenment.