Vitarka mudra

Vitarka mudra 安慰印 is the hand gesture of teaching, debate or discussion used in communicating, explaining, clarifying, or arguing Buddhist law (the Dharma). After reaching enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Shakyamuni Buddha went to the Deer Park in Sarnath where he delivered his first teaching. Vitarka is the mudra associated with this event that is a metaphor for teaching the way to enlightenment. It is performed by holding the right hand in front of the chest, palm turned outwards, joining the tips of the thumb and the index finger to form a circle while keeping the other fingers straight, while the left does the same facing inwards. Sometimes only the right hand is at the chest and the left at the lap, or the thumb may touch the other four fingers and when it is the middle finger it symbolizes great compassion. The two hands together also symbolize the continual movement of Buddhist doctrine that is constantly transmitted to all who listen. This mudra is used in images of Shakyamuni and Guanyin.