Urna-mudra (Sign of Wool [cloth])
The
urna-mudra is the gesture of the Buddha holding his monk's robe,
invaraiably with his left hand. When used as part of a double
gesture, that is with both hands in characteristic mudras, it
symbolizes the Buddha's offering of enlightenment to the devotee.
When making this gesture, a Buddha's right hand may be in abhaya-mudra,
varada-mudra or dhamracakra-mudra. Typically, Buddha Shakyamuni
makes abhaya-mudra and Buddha Maitreya makes varada-mudra. Additionally,
sometimes Shakyamuni, Maitreya, or Buddha Vairaocana/Shakyamuni
is depcited making the dharmacakra-mudra in such a way that the
right hand also holds the robe. In every case the robe is the
signifies that the devotee may join the order of mendicants and
follow the Buddha's teaching towards his or her own enlightenment.
