The Abhaya Mudra is referred to as the "dispelling fear pose."   It is the Sanskrit word 'fearlessness' and this mudra or pose is commonly seen in Buddha statues.   It is seen as a symbol of protection and security and is thought to ward off fear and danger. This pose can be recognized by the position of the right arm. The palm faces outward, hand raised at shoulder height with the arm slightly bent.

This Buddhist symbol of courage emphasizes the spiritual power of the bodhisattva or Buddha who makes it.  A bodhisattva is being who has achieved an enlightened state and embraced the Buddhahood. The gesture can also be considered symbolic of friendship as the empty hand is devoid of weapons.  The position is often misinterpreted by Westerners as an indication to "stop, but" it really courage in the face of danger.  

Buddhist historians believe that the dispelling fear pose was the gesture made by the Buddha Shakyamuni just after he achieved enlightenment.  Tales from the Buddhist religion pipe frequently refer to the Buddha's use of the dispelling fear pose to pacify the enemies who threatened him. Only a Buddha statue or bodhisattva sculpture would be seen in the dispelling fear pose, as it is only useful to those who have achieved enlightenment. 

In Thailand and Laos, the pose of dispelling fear is most often seen in Buddha statues where the Buddha stands.This mudra is most identified with the fifth Dyhani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi.  The five Dyhani Buddhas are the five great Buddhas or five wisdom Buddhas who represent the core qualities of the Buddhist philosophy.

In Buddhist art and teachings the five great Buddhas are positioned at North, South, East, West with one in the center.   Those wishing to remove negative feelings like jealousy and emphasize one's own accomplishments.  Jealousy is a negative emotion that can be interpreted as a form of fear, so the dispelling fear pose makes sense.

When we see the Buddha in the dispelling fear pose, usually the right-hand is in the Abhaya Mudra with the left hand resting at the Buddha's side. Sometimes the left-hand makes the varada mudra, a gift-giving gesture.  Another symbolic meaning of the dispelling fear pose is an interpretation of the action of preaching. 

Chinese and Gandhara Buddha interpretations are the ones that most often used to dispelling fear pose to represent the Buddha preaching.

Display of a Buddha statue in the dispelling fear pose can have many purposes within the home beyond Asian decor.  a Buddha statue in the dispelling fear pose as citations of protection, safety and courage.  It also reminds us of the value of of inner strength and the need to emphasize our desire to abolish our own fear and doubt.