Digital Dictionary of Buddhism
左手
Pronunciations[py]zuǒshǒu
[wg]tso-shu
[hg]좌수
[mc]jwasu
[mr]chwasu
[kk]サシュ
[hb]sashu
[qn]tả thủ
Basic Meaning: left hand
Senses:
The left hand. In ancient Indian culture the left hand was traditionally used in handling impure objects: thus it is also known as
'the impure hand 不淨手.'
Along with the right hand, the left hand has multiple meanings within Buddhist ritual/symbolism according to the particular context (Skt. vāma).
〔百丈淸規 T 2025.48.1113b08〕
[Stefan Grace; source(s): Hirakawa, Gakken, ZGDJT]
In esoteric practice called the
'stabilization hand'
定手. Each digit is associated with one of the ten pāramitās 十波羅蜜 and one of the five elements 五大. Digits can be referred to in descriptions of mudrās by their associated elements.
- Thumb: large finger 大指 (aṅguṣṭha), dhyāna 禪, space (ākāśa-dhātu) 空.
- Index finger: head finger 頭指 (tarjanī), effort (vīrya) 進, wind (vāyu-dhātu) 風.
- Middle finger: middle finger 中指 (madhyāṅguli), tolerance (kṣānti) 忍, fire (tejo-dhātu) 火.
- Ring finger: unnamed finger 無名指 (anāma), morality 戒 (śīla), water (ab-dhātu) 水.
- Little finger: little finger 小指 (kaniṣṭhāṅguli), giving 檀 (dāna), earth (pṛthivī-dhātu) 地.
See also right hand 右手.
Sources:
Ōmori, Gijō 大森義成. 2008. Jisshū Shingon-shū no mikkyō to shūgyō 實修眞言宗の密教と修行 . Tokyo:
Gakken.
[Jeffrey Kotyk; source(s): Ōmori]
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[Dictionary References]
Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.) 382a
Buddhist Chinese-Sanskrit Dictionary (Hirakawa) 0409
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Entry created: 2011-06-13
Updated: 2014-12-25