Gassho

Gassho literally means palms together. It is considered one of the most beautiful of gestures and is an Indian gesture of greeting, farewell, thanks and reference.

In ancient India there were 12 forms of Gassho. In Jodo shinsu the first of the 12 forms is used. It is the Gassho of "steadfast beginning" and is formed by simply placing the palms and 10 fingers together at chest level and at a 45-degree angle.

It is the symbol of the multitude of different things being at the same time one. Among Buddhists the world over Gassho is used to express hello, goodbye and thank you and as a gesture of reverence for the Buddha. This Gassho is performed with a deep bow from the waist.

In later centuries, this Gassho was adopted by the Christians as the gesture of prayer.