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The Buddha image is in the posture of lying on the right side (reclining):

  • Both feet are stacked evenly one on top of the other.

  • The left hand is placed flat along the body.

  • The right hand is propped up to support the head, and a pillow rests underneath.

  • (Note: Some variations place the pillow under the armpit. This gesture is identical to the Parinirvāṇa Gesture and the Sleeping Gesture, and is generally called the Reclining Buddha).

Origin of this Mudrā


At a time when the Buddha was staying at the Jetavana Mahāvihāra in the city of Sāvatthi, Asurindarāhu, the viceroy of the demon king Vepacitti of the Asura realm, heard of the Sammā-sambuddha's reputation from the deities.

He wished to hear the Buddha's sermon, but he thought the Buddha, being human, had a small body, while he himself was enormous. He felt that if he went to visit, he would have to look down with difficulty.

When Asurindarāhu came for the audience, believing his body was immense and larger than the Buddha’s, he refused to show respect.

The Buddha intended to humble the demon's arrogance. He miraculously enlarged his own body to become even greater than Asurindarāhu. The Buddha lay in the Lion’s Posture, resting his head on a mountain as a pillow. His two stacked feet were taller and larger than Asurindarāhu's body. Asurindarāhu had to strain his neck to gaze upon the Buddha's form.

The Buddha then performed another miracle, taking Asurindarāhu up to the Brahma realm. There, all the Brahmās had bodies smaller than the Buddha's, and they looked upon Asurindarāhu as a human would look upon a tiny ant or insect.

Fear gripped Asurindarāhu, forcing him to hide behind the Buddha. From that day onward, he cast aside his arrogance and became devoted to the Buddha. After listening to the sermon, he developed faith and requested to take refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha) as the supreme refuge of his life.

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