Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes
A
Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Māra 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
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
1. The Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth-touching gesture) depicts Lord Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand in his lap (palm upward) and his right hand touching the earth.
2. This mudra symbolizes the moment of Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
3. As the demon Mara tried to tempt and disturb Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) to prevent him from attaining enlightenment, challenging his right to attain enlightenment, Buddha touched the earth with his right hand.
4. Option (B) accurately interprets the symbolism. By touching the earth, Buddha was calling upon the Earth goddess (Prithvi or Bhudevi) to witness his accumulated merits over countless past lives, his steadfastness, purity, and chastity, thereby validating his right to achieve enlightenment despite the temptations of Mara.
5. Option (A) is partially related but less precise. The primary act was calling the Earth to witness his worthiness, not just to watch over Mara.
6. Option (C) describes the concept of impermanence, which is central to Buddhist philosophy, but it is not the specific meaning symbolized by the Bhumisparsha Mudra.