“May your journey towards awakening be filled with blessings.”
At Compassion and Wisdom Vihāra (悲智精舍), visitors are greeted by a quiet yet powerful presence: a magnificent white marble statue of Śākyamuni Buddha. His right hand is gently raised in the Abhaya Mudrā, symbolising peace, blessing, protection, and fearlessness. His left hand extends in the Varada Mudrā, the gesture of generosity and compassionate offering.
Though housed in a modest setting, the meaning it carries is deeply profound. These are not merely hand gestures, but expressions of the Buddha’s boundless heart: the courage to transcend fear, and the willingness to give freely and lovingly. Together, they offer a silent blessing of refuge and compassionate support, inviting us home to clarity, peace, and inner strength.
All who stand before this Buddha statue are invited to gently release the burdens of the heart and mind, returning to their still, unwavering centre. From this quiet space within, we begin anew with calmness, sincerity, equanimity and a heartfelt resolve to walk the path of compassion and wisdom.
These mudrās carry deep spiritual meaning and are rooted in the life and teachings of Śākyamuni Buddha. In the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra, it is said that the Buddha once faced the elephant Nālāgiri, who had been deliberately made drunk and sent to harm him. As the elephant charged through the streets, the Buddha stood in perfect stillness, his right hand raised in the Abhaya Mudrā. Overwhelmed by the Buddha’s serenity and compassion, the elephant calmed and bowed before him. Anger turned into reverence, and fear dissolved into trust.
The Varada Mudrā, known as the gesture of generosity, is typically depicted with the left hand, palm facing upwards or downwards, fingers extended or gently curved. It embodies kindness, compassion, hospitality, and liberation from negative traits such as greed, anger and ignorance. Paired with the Abhaya Mudrā, they embody protection and generosity — qualities we hope to embody in both our practice and daily life.
At Compassion and Wisdom Vihāra, we embrace this spirit. In the face of fear, uncertainty and challenge, we respond with loving-kindness and wisdom. Through connection and insight, difficulties become opportunities for spiritual growth.
This aspiration is beautifully reflected in the Śākyamuni Buddha statue at the heart of our Vihāra. It expresses our shared mission: To guide all sentient beings towards awakening (普导众生，同证菩提).
In a world often shadowed by anxiety and change, the Buddha’s open palms remind us that true refuge is not found in escape, but in meeting life with clarity and compassion. The strength to walk this path already lives within us.
The Abhaya and Varada Mudrās encapsulate the very values we hold dear:
Thus, this statue becomes not just a sacred image, but a living echo of our guiding aspiration: “With compassion, we guide all beings. With wisdom, we illuminate their path.” (以慈悲化导众生、以智慧照见菩提。)
We warmly invite everyone who enters to pause before this sacred image: Be still • Breathe • Listen.
In that moment of quiet, you may receive the very teaching your heart needs most.
Awakening does not begin with grand declarations. It begins quietly:
When fear loosens its hold,
When compassion and wisdom take the lead,
When the heart opens, steady and unafraid.
Through the Buddha’s mudrās, we are reminded of the boundless courage and generosity already alive within us.
If you would like to be part of this meaningful enshrinement, we warmly welcome your dāna of any amount — a precious opportunity to form a deep affinity with the Triple Gem and bless the world. To express your interest, please follow these steps:
1. Visit our Contact Us page.
2. Under “Your enquiry is about”, select “Support the enshrinement of our Buddha”.
3. Submit the form, and we will get back to you with details on how you can make your offering.
