SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Fukanzazengi XLIX

Here is more information on the ‘Cosmic Mudra’ of Zazen then you probably wanted.

There are the traditional interpretations …

In Japanese, known as the ‘Hokaijyo-in (‘Dharmachakra’ or ‘Dharma Realm’ Mudra when found in Esoteric Buddhism, and there usually associated with images of the Buddha ‘Dainichi Nyorai’) or the ‘Zenjou-in’ (‘Dhyana Meditation’ or ‘Contemplation’ Mudra in the Zen schools … [although I [Jundo] usually hear it called the ‘Hokkaijyo-in in the Soto school … another example of creeping Tantric influence]), it symbolizes the Buddha in a state of meditation. Some call it the ‘Cosmic Mudra’ [cause, I guess, it is really ‘Cosmic’]. In Japanese iconography, the mudra is usually associated with statues of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha, and is not to be confused with images of “Amida Buddha” (which employ the somewhat similar ‘Mida-no Jouin’ Mudra, in which the knuckles are pressed together … see famous statue of Great Buddha of Kamakura for example of that). (Adapted from: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/mudra-japan.shtml)

But then there’s Dogen Zenji’s likely interpretation …

“Hey, folks, ya gotta do something with your hands!”

Then place the right hand over the left foot, and place the left hand on the right palm. The thumbs meet and support each other. Just sit upright, not leaning to the left, inclining to the right, slouching forward, or arching backward. It is vital that the ears vis-a-vis the shoulders, and the nose vis-a-vis the navel, are directed away from each other. Let the tongue spread against the roof of the mouth. Let the lips and teeth come together. The eyes should be kept open. Let the breath pass imperceptibly through the nose. [NISHIJIMA]

Note: Apparently, the signal was dropped in the last minutes. So, there are no closing bells.

Please self-time if you are sitting with the video.

Press on arrow for ‘play’

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SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Fukanzazengi XLVII (Be Breathed)