n each position there are variations of gesture or attitude. Each attitude is related to a period inSitting Buddha at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya the life of the Lord Buddha. The most common attitude of a seated Buddha image is the attitude of subduing Mara. In this attitude the Buddha is seated with the legs crossed, the right hand is on the right knee with the four fingers pointing to the ground, while the left hand rests in the lap. This is also known as the attitude of calling the Goddess of the Earth to witness. This is related to the time when the Lord Buddha was about to attain his enlightenment. He was attacked by Mara (a personification of evil) and his army. The Lord Buddha summoned the Goddess of the Earth to witness the attack and to save him by pointing the four fingers of the right hand to the ground. ThStanding Buddhae Goddess of the Earth emerged and saved him by wringing the water of merit from her hair to drown Mara and his army. In this way Mara was subdued. Thus this attitude is known as subduing Mara.
Another common attitude is that of meditation showing the Lord Buddha in meditation when he attains enlightenment. This attitude shows the Lord Buddha seated with his legs crossed. The two hands are folded in the lap with the palm of the right hand facing upward.
Sometimes we see a Buddha image in the attitude of meditation under the protection of a nine-headed or seven-headed naga. This attitude is related to the time when a naga named Mujarin spread its hood to protect the Lord Buddha from a rainstorm while he was meditating under the Mujarin tree. A Buddha image made in this way is usually called a seated Buddha image under the cover of a multi-headed naga.