Does Soto Zen use other mudras in addtion to the cosmic mudra?

[Douglas]

In reading about various Buddhist traditions, I've noticed that Soto Zen seems to exclusively use the cosmic mudra during meditation. Is this observation accurate? If so, does anyone know why this particular mudra is favored in Soto Zen?

I'm curious about the reasons behind this practice and whether there are any exceptions.

Gassho,
Doug
SAT/LAH

[Guest]

Hi Doug,

I can say that from my experience that it is just not Soto Zen. In the American-Korean tradition, we also held the cosmic mudra. This tradition was largely Rinzai influenced as well as traditional Korean Zen. In Taoism, it is interesting that they hold the knotted hands representing yin and yang conjoined. So, there are many mudras. I am sure someone will come along to share the importance or significance of different hand mudras better than I can.

main-qimg-8b63b91e24316720e9bf9dc9361dc9d1-pjlq.jpg

Grain of salt please with what I say. I am a priest in training and not a teacher.

Gassho,
Daiman
ST/LAH

[Bion]

Hi, Doug! Great question and good observation! We don't do much with our hands: gassho, shashu, zazen mudra.
The zazen mudra is called hokkai gyo in, or cosmic mudra. it is basically a physical representation with our own bodies of the relative and absolute meeting, to form a circle. It can also mean practice realization as not two, not one.. just a continuous unbreakable, ever flowing circle. The mudra also works sort of like a seal, or a stamp to identify an activity that belongs solely to the Buddha, or A buddha. Only a buddha can sit zazen, so the cosmic mudra is the "stamp" of the buddha, showing that this action, this zazen right here is not my doing, but buddha sitting buddha. Interestingly enough, traditionally, statues of the Buddha are represented with right palm over left, while we sit with left resting on right. However, for mahayana folks, the two are equal, as one sitting zazen is fully executing or realizing budhahood.. we could use either mudra, but we still sit as it has been passed down to us: right palm under the left, thumbs touching.
I hope this is helpful. There is probably more to say on the topic, but I lack the knowledge. I am just a novice monk, so please keep that in mind.

Gassho
sat and lah

[Tai Do]

Hi Douglas,
I'm just a lay member, but I remember Jundo recommend this site about Japanese mudras some years ago.

https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/mudra-japan.shtml

Hope I can help you!
Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah

[mnstucky]

Great insights, thanks all!
Gassho,
-Matt Sat/Lah