<p>This answer is only from the Theravada viewpoint. It's likely that you can find more diverse meditation techniques in Vajrayana.</p>
<p>Shambhavi Mudra is apparently an eyebrow center gazing gesture.</p>
<p><a href="https://qr.ae/pNsf4z" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This source</a> states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Shambhavi Mudra is an eye-crossing technique which is used as a hack
to activate the parasympathetic nervous system—which is cognate with
the medulla oblongata and the ajna chakra (or the so-called third
eye). A sign that the mudra is being practiced properly is the result
of having pressure build in the sinus cavities.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While there is no Shambhavi Mudra in Theravada Buddhism, the closest thing to it is <em>parimukham</em>. Please read <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/2524/471">this answer</a> for a detailed analysis on the term <em>parimukham</em>, with respect to the mindfulness of breathing (<em>anapanasati</em>) meditation, in the Pali suttas.</p>
<p>This is often translated as concentrating on the sensation of the breath at the tip  of the nose in the mindfulness of breathing (<em>anapanasati</em>) meditation. That does not refer to the tip of the nose at the eyebrow center, but rather, it refers to the nostrils and area around the nose and mouth where the sensation of the breath can be felt.</p>
<p>But the sensation of the breath can also be felt at the diaphragm and abdomen. Please also see <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/33465/471">this answer</a>.</p>
<p>The concept of chakras, and stimulating the nervous and endocrinal system is also not found in Theravada Buddhism.</p>
<p>On another note, there is however, something similar to Kechari Mudra in Buddhism, in <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/10712/471">this question</a>. But again, the purpose is different. It's not to stimulate the nervous and endocrinal system.</p>
<p>The purpose of Buddhist meditation is to still the mind and use it to observe the processes of the mind and the mind-body connection, to understand the nature of the mind-body, and how it relates to the four noble truths, dependent origination and the three marks of existence. It's not meant for obtaining psychic abilities or supernatural powers - though that may be possible.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:31:37.823Z
Very interesting, I had experience with Nichiren buddhism in Japan (not SGI) and i noticed that they do everything with open eyes instead on focusing on any meditation.
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:32:23.613Z
i mean of course there is meditation but is object oriented towards the external instead of the internal meditation.
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:33:18.453Z
@DoubtfulMonk I think their (Nichiren Buddhism) main practice is chanting "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo".
ruben2020
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:36:04.503Z
Essentially is divided in two parts, one called the Gonghyo which consist in reciting part of the lotus sutra , while being defined mahayana school they took the mantrayana tradition while chanting the Daimoku which is the Nam Myoho Renge Kyo famous mantra.
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:37:12.233Z
but the Gohonzon , or the object of worship , is external and is teached to be practiced looking directly at it.
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T10:37:41.967Z
@DoubtfulMonk Thanks. I'm not very familiar with Nichiren Buddhism.
ruben2020
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T15:41:15.167Z
Thanks to you for the detailed answer 
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-10T02:06:56.253Z
also in the first chapter of the Lotus sutra is written  :  Manjushri ,  why from the white tuft between the eyebrows of our leader and teacher does this great light shines all around?
Doubtful Monk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T04:53:44.357Z
2020-08-09T05:20:40.390Z
2020-08-09T05:20:40.390Z
ruben2020
<p>Do Buddhists use the Shambhawi mudra ?</p>
<p>What kind of tradition use it and for which purpose?
(if possible with some references)</p>

<reference-request><meditation-practicalities><mudra>
Shambhawi mudra and Buddhism
# Shambhawi mudra and Buddhism

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-08-09)

Do Buddhists use the Shambhawi mudra ?

What kind of tradition use it and for which purpose?
(if possible with some references)

**Tags:** reference-request, meditation-practicalities, mudra


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-08-09. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

This answer is only from the Theravada viewpoint. It's likely that you can find more diverse meditation techniques in Vajrayana.

Shambhavi Mudra is apparently an eyebrow center gazing gesture.

[This source](https://qr.ae/pNsf4z) states:

> Shambhavi Mudra is an eye-crossing technique which is used as a hack
> to activate the parasympathetic nervous system—which is cognate with
> the medulla oblongata and the ajna chakra (or the so-called third
> eye). A sign that the mudra is being practiced properly is the result
> of having pressure build in the sinus cavities.

While there is no Shambhavi Mudra in Theravada Buddhism, the closest thing to it is *parimukham*. Please read [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/2524/471) for a detailed analysis on the term *parimukham*, with respect to the mindfulness of breathing (*anapanasati*) meditation, in the Pali suttas.

This is often translated as concentrating on the sensation of the breath at the tip of the nose in the mindfulness of breathing (*anapanasati*) meditation. That does not refer to the tip of the nose at the eyebrow center, but rather, it refers to the nostrils and area around the nose and mouth where the sensation of the breath can be felt.

But the sensation of the breath can also be felt at the diaphragm and abdomen. Please also see [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/33465/471).

The concept of chakras, and stimulating the nervous and endocrinal system is also not found in Theravada Buddhism.

On another note, there is however, something similar to Kechari Mudra in Buddhism, in [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/10712/471). But again, the purpose is different. It's not to stimulate the nervous and endocrinal system.

The purpose of Buddhist meditation is to still the mind and use it to observe the processes of the mind and the mind-body connection, to understand the nature of the mind-body, and how it relates to the four noble truths, dependent origination and the three marks of existence. It's not meant for obtaining psychic abilities or supernatural powers - though that may be possible.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Very interesting, I had experience with Nichiren buddhism in Japan (not SGI) and i noticed that they do everything with open eyes instead on focusing on any meditation.  
> **username_0**: i mean of course there is meditation but is object oriented towards the external instead of the internal meditation.  
> **username_1**: @DoubtfulMonk I think their (Nichiren Buddhism) main practice is chanting "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo".  
> **username_0**: Essentially is divided in two parts, one called the Gonghyo which consist in reciting part of the lotus sutra , while being defined mahayana school they took the mantrayana tradition while chanting the Daimoku which is the Nam Myoho Renge Kyo famous mantra.  
> **username_0**: but the Gohonzon , or the object of worship , is external and is teached to be practiced looking directly at it.  
> **username_1**: @DoubtfulMonk Thanks. I'm not very familiar with Nichiren Buddhism.  
> **username_0**: Thanks to you for the detailed answer   
> **username_0**: also in the first chapter of the Lotus sutra is written  :  Manjushri ,  why from the white tuft between the eyebrows of our leader and teacher does this great light shines all around?  

---

