Dharmachakra mudra symbolizes teaching of the Dharma. Dharmachakra in Sanskrit means the “Wheel of Dharma”.
Dharmachakra is performed by placing the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle. This circle represents the Wheel of Dharma.
The three remaining fingers of the two hands remain extended. These fingers are themselves rich in symbolic significance:
The three extended fingers of the right hand represent the three vehicles of the Buddha's teachings, namely:
* The middle finger represents the 'hearers' of the teachings
* The ring finger represents the 'solitary realizers'
* The Little finger represents the Mahayana or 'Great Vehicle'.
The three extended fingers of the left hand symbolize the Three Jewels of Buddhism, namely, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Significantly, in this Dharmachakra mudra, the hands are held in front of the heart, symbolizing that these teachings are straight from the Buddha's heart.
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