When the dhyana mudra is done with both hands, the right hand is laid flat over the left hand, with the fingers of both extended. The orientation of the thumbs varies across traditions: they may remain parallel to the other fingers and each other, or meet over the palms to form a triangle. The triangle carries various symbolisms in Buddhism, including that of the Triratna or Three Jewels — the Buddha, the dhamma, and the sangha or community. The overlapping hands are often considered to signify that the method or means, denoted by the right hand, can only arise out of the wisdom of meditation, denoted by the left hand. Some other traditions interpret the top hand as signifying realisation or enlightenment, which transcends the world of appearances symbolised by the bottom hand. In Theravada Buddhism, the mudra sometimes takes a variant form known as samadhi mudra, in which the index fingers are raised to meet the thumb of the respective hand, and also touch each other. The dhyana mudra is sometimes made using the left hand alone, representing the principle of wisdom or meditative void. 

Occasionally objects such as a sacred text or a bowl of alms may be placed on the upturned hand or hands — for instance, the medicine bowl depicted in the open palm of Bhaisajyaguru or the ‘Medicine Buddha’.