Bhumisparsha, the earth touching mudra, is one of the most well known mudras. You will often see Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, in a seated posture with this mudra. The right hand is poised with the fingertips downward and “touching the earth”, with the palm facing inward. The left hand is in the meditation (dhyana) mudra. When the Buddha became enlightened, he touched the earth with this mudra during his meditation. The earth was touched and witnessed the awakening.
