Hello and thank you for being here today.
My name is Miko and I am a Shingon Buddhist nun from Japan.
Today,
I would like to share a little about mudras,
The sacred hand gestures used in Shingon Buddhism.
When people visit a Buddhist temple,
They often notice the statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
If you look carefully,
You will see that their hands are often positioned in different ways.
These hand gestures are not simply artistic design.
They were not created.
Mary to make the statues look beautiful.
In a way,
Mudras are like a language of the hands.
Just as we use words to communicate,
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas express their teachings through their hand gestures.
In other words,
They are speaking with their hands.
Each gesture has a meaning.
Some express wisdom.
Some express compassion.
As a symbolized protection,
Guidance,
Or the wish to help all living beings.
What many people do not realize is that mudras are not found only in Buddhist statues.
They are also used in meditation and various Buddhist practices.
In many religions and spiritual traditions,
People have used their hands to express prayer,
Devotion,
And intention.
In Buddhism,
We call these beings who hand gestures,
Mudras.
The next time you see a Buddhist statue,
Take a moment to look at the hands.
You may discover that they are expressing something without using words.
There is a silent language there.
It is an invisible language of hopes,
Prayers,
And hope.
Heartfelt wishes.
Thank you for listening.
May your day be peaceful and meaningful.
