Symbolism: The Khamsa and Buddha’s Mudra

buddha

Today’s morning meditation shed insight on the symbolic mudra or hand gesture associated with Buddha’s image.

Allah, said the Awakened One. Look at Fatima, we grace all through her hand.

Vitarka Mudra : The right forearm is bent. Three fingers of the hand are bent upwards, the thumb and the forefinger touching. This particular mudra is associated with transmission of Bhuddist teachings.

hamsa

Hand of Fatima: Hand upright palm facing out, middle, ring and last finger upright represent the Arabic letters, Alif- Laam-Laam, while the closed thumb and forefinger touching represent Ha. Together, the hand forms a position of the Arabic name of God, Allah.  This hand position without closing the forefinger and thumb also forms the Khamsa.

The Khamsa is an ancient talisman which traces its origins to Mesopotamian and Phoenician roots. Used alike by Sephardic Jews, Christians, Egyptians and Muslims to ward off evil eye and harness protection, the hand symbolizes sanctified female personalities representing the Divine Feminine. Also known as the Hand of Fatima in Islamic esoteric tradition where each finger represents the “Holy Five” or the household members of the Prophet Mohammed (S); Mohammed, Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussayn.

Uses-Decor, on doors, architecture, jewelry, banners, poles and clothing.

Associated Prayer for Protection

‘Li khamsatunn utfi biha harral waba’il Hatima, al Mustafa wal Murtadha wabnahuma wal Fatimah’

‘These five are enough for me who are a means of removing difficulty, Mustafa, Murtadha, The Two Sons and Fatimah’.
Recommended Reading

Common Ground Between Islam and Bhuddism by Reza Shah Kazemi

Dream: Ancient Arabia, Buddha and Common Ground

Ancient Arabia and Common Ground
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Inspired by a recent dream a  seeker in the Arabian Peninsula relates to Qudra Healing, “I was at an ancient site in the Land of Arabia. There, we discovered awe inspiring Buddhist  and ancient Egyptian statues, as if they had been there for centuries. A man of Arab origin with Oriental presence and attire stood as we stared at him…” May 4th, 2014

Dr. Pannananda Nayaka Thera has taken steps further by identifying the Sacred City “Mecca” in Arabia, as the place where an original Buddhist Shrine was built at the behest of Ven. Punna Thera while the Buddha was alive. According to the thesis of Ven. (Dr.) Pannananda Nayaka Thera there were four Buddhist monasteries caused to have been built by the Buddha’s pupil Ven. Punna Thera and all those four temples were sanctified by the Buddha Himself who had arrived in aerial cars from India to far West Arabia.

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“If a Muslim knew what the Buddhist statue represents, he would know there is true faith in its veneration.” ~ Mahmoud Shabistari-13th Century Islamic Persian Mystic and Poet

Arabia was a paradise for early humans, and they left so much behind it’s also a paradise for us as archaeologists today. It holds incredible heritage for everyone on Earth.
—Dr. Jeffrey Rose-

Further Reading:

Buddhism in Ancient Israel and Arabia

http://archives.dailynews.lk/2005/05/23/fea56.htm