Buddha sculpture "Bhumisparsha Mudra - Subduing the demon Mara" in bronze 11 cm

Bhumisparsa, the most popular mudra, represents the Buddha in a sitting position with his left hand resting on his lap and his right hand touching the ground. This hand position symbolizes an important episode in the legendary life of the Buddha, when the ascetic sat in meditation under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India, and refused to move to achieve enlightenment. While Mara, the Buddhist equivalent of Satan, tempted him with women and parties, Buddha touched the earth, asking nature to support his resolve and help him resist. Soon after he achieved enlightenment.