Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a Buddhist monastery, believed to be at least 900 years old, buried under a mound in a village situated in a hilly area of Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand.

Key Highlights

• The researchers have excavated 10 stone statues of deity Tara and the Buddha in Burhani village near Juljul Pahar of Sitagarhi Hills.
• The excavation found a sculpture which appears to be that of Shaivite deity Maheswari with a coiled crown and chakra indicating cultural assimilation in the area.
• The archaeologists highlighted that the findings were significant since the monastery is on the old route to Varanasi, 10 km from Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
• The researchers provided that the presence of statues of deity Tara shows possible proliferation of Vajrayana form of Buddhism in this region.
• They discovered four statues of deity Tara in Varada Mudra (gesture of hand showing dispensing of boons) 
• The six statues of the Buddha in Bhumpisparsha Mudra (gesture of hand showing five fingers of right hand towards the earth symbolising the Buddha’s enlightenment) were also discovered.

Significance of the Findings

• The findings are significant since the monastery is on the old route to Varanasi, 10 km from Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
• The presence of statues of deity Tara shows possible proliferation of Vajrayana form of Buddhism in this region.

Mudras of Buddha

Dharmachakra mudra: It symbolizes the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment in the Deer Park at Sarnath.

• It thus denotes the setting into motion of the Wheel of the teaching of the Dharma.

Bhumpisparsha mudra: formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Varada mudra: It symbolizes charity, compassion and boon-granting.

• It is the mudra of the accomplishment of the wish to devote oneself to human salvation.

Dhyana mudra: The left hand making the Dhyana mudra in such cases symbolizes the female left-hand principle of wisdom.

• The ritual objects such as a text, or more commonly an alms bowl symbolizing renunciation, may be placed in the open palm of this left hand.

Abhaya Mudra: It symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear.

• It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright and joined.

Karana Mudra: It signifies the warding off evil which is performed by raising the index and the little finger and folding the other fingers.

• It helps in reducing sickness or negative thoughts.

Vajra Mudra: It denotes the fiery thunderbolt that symbolizes the five elements, i.e. air, water, fire, earth, and metal.

Vitarka Mudra: It signifies the discussion and transmission of the teachings of the Buddha.

Uttarabodhi Mudra: It denotes the supreme enlightenment by connecting oneself with divine universal energy.

Anjali Mudra: It represents the gesture of greeting, prayer and adoration.