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The Bhumisparsha mudra is translated from Sanskrit into 'earth touching.' A mudra is a motion or gesture of the hands and body to express a feeling.  Buddhist meditation rituals are based on the many different mudras. Buddha statues are often depicted in the earth touching mudra which is also known as 'the earth witness' position.

To perform this mudra, the hand is placed on the ground with all fingers touching. The palm faces inward. It's believed that Buddha assumed the earth touching position after he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree to call the Earth goddess to witness the event. Occassionally, you may see this mudra referred to as 'Summoning the Earth Goddess to Witness.'

In the earth touching pose, the right arm rests on the right knee with the fingers extended downward. This position is one of the most common mudras seen in Buddha statues. The left hand rests in the lap, palm up in the mudra of meditation (dhyana mudra). This is believed to symbolize the marriage of wisdom and method or Nirvana and Samasara. The teachings of the Buddhist faith speak of how the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, resisted the temptations of the demon Mara by taking the earth touching pose. Mara existed in many incarnations in Buddhist lore, from all powerful, evil creature to impish nuisance. One story tells of how Mara summoned his daughter's to seduce the Buddha and distract him from his spiritual journey. This has parallels to the mythology of other cultures, similar to Greek sirens.

The second of the Five Great Buddhas (Five Dhyani Buddhas), Akshobhya, is depicted in the earth touching pose. Akshobhya is a manifestation of strength, confidence and determination and the use of the Bhumisparsha mudra is a reflection of that. Akshobhya and Amithaba were the two Buddhas who represented wisdom and compassion respectively. The Buddhist theology evolved to include the Five Dhyani Buddhas who each represent an aspect of the Buddhist philosophy.

Akshobhya sits in the Eastern position and is thought to possess the mirror wisdom that converts anger to wisdom. He is associated with the element water, mirror-like itself and symbolic of Akshobhya's ability to help people see things as they truly are.

Display of an earth touching pose Buddha statue can be a prompt us to remember the Buddha's resolve and need to channel our anger into wisdom.