Statue of buddha teaching gesture 13,5 cms 0,7 kgs

Dharmacakra-mudrā : teaching gesture, setting up the wheel of the law

The right hand is vertical, palm facing forward, thumb and forefinger touching; the left hand is inclined and at an angle, the palm is turned inwards, the thumb and forefinger touch; the fingers of the left hand touch the right hand.

After his awakening at Bodh-Gayā, Śākyamuni goes to Sārnāth, near Benares (Vāraṇāsī), and delivers his first public teaching in front of his five ancient ascetic companions whom he meets in the deer park (Mṛgadāva) of Sārnāth. This gesture, called "setting in motion the Wheel of the Law" (dharmacakra) symbolizes this first sermon. This gesture is also attributed to Buddha of the past Viśvabhū, Buddha Vairocana and Buddha of the future, Maitreya.