In the Buddhist iconography, the deities are represented in specific positions, with their hands placed in symbolic spiritual gestures (mudrā in Sanskrit).

One of the best known Japanese statues, the Daibutsu - Great Buddha of Kamakura is representing Amida Buddha and uses a mudrā called Mida jou-in. “Mida” is a shortened from Amida and “jou-in” is again a shortened from “zenjou-in”, the Japanese name of the meditation mudrā. This is specific only to the sitting Amida Buddha statues, symbolizing the triumph of enlightenment over the world of illusions.

Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Kamakura

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