A Gandharan Shakyamuni Buddha dating to the first century, a Sri Lankan standing Buddha dating to the tenth century and a Tibetan Buddha Amoghasiddhi belonging to the twelfth century, all have one thing in common — the right hand is raised in what is known as the abhaya mudra, a gesture of extending compassionate protection to the devotee. The word abhaya directly translates to fearlessness, and the gesture dispels fear and bestows reassurances of safety, peace and benevolence. Most scholars believe that this particular mudra was used even before the onset of Buddhism, as a symbol of good intentions and a proposal of friendship, when approaching strangers.

Seated Buddha.; Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara); 1st to mid–2nd century ; Bronze with traces of gold leaf; 16.8 x 11.4 cm ; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Detail, Seated Buddha.; Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara); 1st to mid–2nd century ; Bronze with traces of gold leaf; 16.8 x 11.4 cm ; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Buddha Offering Protection.; Sri Lanka; 10th century ; Copper alloy with gilding; 60.3 x 17.8 cm; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Detail, Buddha Offering Protection.; Sri Lanka; 10th century ; Copper alloy with gilding; 60.3 x 17.8 cm; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Buddha Amoghasiddhi with Eight Bodhisattvas.; Central Tibet ; c. 1200–50; Distemper on cloth; 68.9 x 54 cm ; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Buddha Amoghasiddhi with Eight Bodhisattvas.; Central Tibet ; c. 1200–50; Distemper on cloth; 68.9 x 54 cm ; The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of Buddhism’s five important mudras or gestures, the abhaya mudra is one of the most widely used symbolic and ritual gestures. It is also found in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism and appears in depictions of deities, saints and great teachers.

Shrey Maurya holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and a master’s in Visual Art from Ambedkar University, Delhi. She also holds a diploma in South Asian Painting from Jnanapravaha, Mumbai. Her research interests include miniature painting, Buddhist art, handloom textiles, as well as jewellery, perfume and cultures of adornment in the Indian subcontinent. Shrey helped set up Impart’s Encyclopedia of Art, and leads its Special Projects, overseeing its research and editorial direction. She is based in New Delhi.