May 2nd-3rd, 2025 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI- Swimming the Ocean Mudra Samadhi

**Jundo** · 05-02-2025, 01:31 AM

Ocean Mudra Samādhi (I) image.png

DOWNLOAD THE TEXT HERE
Monthly Zazenkai Text May 2nd.pdf

.
We will do the backstroke through Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samādhi (Kai’in Zanmai 海印三昧). His wild wordplay is a powerful expression of who we are in the universe, time, being and bringing to life our swimming through life by swimming gracefully. A Japanese scholar provides some background on what Dogen means by this Samadhi, summarized here ...

[Soto Zen Priest and Scholar Kimura Kiyotaka] proposes that according to Dōgen, the meaning of the very concept “Ocean Mudra Samādhi” is the totality of samādhi achieved by all the Buddhas and Patriarchs. ... This is samādhi which is no other than the awakened activity and comportment of all Buddhas and Patriarchs.. ... Another intriguing observation by Kimura regarding the significance of this samādhi, is that Dōgen did not confine it to the categories of meditative states. Quite to the contrary, Dōgen understood this samādhi as a cosmological designation that points to the dynamic manifestation of all of reality. ... In this way, Kimura shows that the “Ocean Mudra Samādhi” is a designation of actual practice, but also a cosmological designation of the workings of all of reality. It is both the inconceivable dynamics of all phenomena and the particular practice of the ancestors. LINK

Prof. Carl Bielefeldt comments, "Here, in Dōgen's view, the ocean seal samādhi is not just about the Buddha sitting under the bodhi tree in total enlightenment, or about us sitting on our meditation cushions tripping out on the universe; it’s about everything that's going on around us all the time, about us already embedded in, interacting with, what's going on. It's about the self as the practice of reaching out to others and letting ourselves be touched by them." LINK

Okumura Roshi adds, "There is Samadhi described in the Kegonkyō (Avatamsaka Sutra, Flower Ornament Sutra) called ocean-seal samadhi (海印三昧kaiin-zanmai). According to this teaching, water is the original mind-nature that is peace and quiet and reflecting everything as it is like a clear mirror. But when the wind of ignorance begins to blow, the water’s surface is agitated, and waves are aroused. Then the surface of the ocean is not able to reflect things as they are. In this teaching, meditation practice is a method to restore the original calmness by stopping the wind of ignorance that is discriminative thinking so that the water can again reflect all things as they are. ... [But for Dogen,] practice of zazen is not a method to stop the wind of ignorance, that is, to discontinue thinking and make the ocean surface completely quiet so that it can reflect all things as they are. Rather, ... Dōgen says that, even the waves become the light of the moon."

.
~ ~ ~

Ocean Mudra Samadhi / 海印三昧

.
BUDDHAS AND ANCESTORS continuously maintain ocean mudra samadhi. While swimming in this samadhi, they expound, realize, and practice. Traveling through water includes journeying along the ocean bottom. This is called “coursing along the bottom of the deepest ocean.” [To seek to make the uncertain currents of life and death return to their source is not to be moving along in the ineffable state of mind.] Each buddha ancestor breaks through the bamboo node [intellectual thinking] and passes the barrier individually [yet] this is done only through the power of the ocean mudra samadhi.

The Buddha said:
.

[Vimalakirti:] Elements come together and form this body. At the time of appearing,
elements appear. At the time of disappearing, elements disappear.
When elements appear, I do not say “I” appear. When elements
disappear, I do not say “I” disappear. [Mazu:] Past moments and future
moments do not arise sequentially. Past elements and future elements
do not arise in alignment. This is the meaning of ocean mudra samadhi.

.
Closely investigate these words by the Buddha. Attaining the way and entering realization do not necessarily require extensive learning or explanation. Anyone can attain the way through a simple verse of four lines. Even scholars with extensive knowledge can enter realization through a one-line verse. But these words by the Buddha are not about searching for original enlightenment or gaining initial enlightenment. Although buddhas and ancestors manifest original or initial enlightenment, original or initial enlightenment is not buddha ancestors.

At the very moment of ocean mudra samadhi, elements come together and the Buddha’s words elements come together are manifested. This is the
moment of form this body. This body is a coming together of elements. It is not merely a coming together; it is elements coming together. A body formed in this way is described as this body.

The Buddha said, At the time of appearing, elements appear. This appearing does not leave any mark of appearing; therefore, appearing does not enter one’s perception or knowledge. Thus, the Buddha said, I do not say “I” appear. It is not that there is someone else who perceives or thinks that the person appears; it is just that you see beyond, and you drop away your initial understanding.

As the time [of ocean mudra samadhi] is not other than appearing, appearing is the arrival of time. What is it that appears? Appearing appears. Because appearing is time, appearing does not fail to fully manifest skin, flesh, bones, and marrow. As appearing is a coming together, appearing is this body, appearing is “I” appear, appearing is all elements coming together. What appears is not merely sound and form. All elements appear as “I” appear and as I do not say “I” appear.

Not say is not “not expressing,” because expressing is not saying. The time of appearing [in ocean mudra samadhi] is when elements appear, which is not the same as the twelve hours of the day [ordinary time]. All elements are the time of appearing, not the time when the three realms appear.

~~~

An ancient buddha said, “Fire appears all of a sudden.” Fire here means elements appear together but are not sequential. An ancient buddha said, “What about the moment when appearing and disappearing continue endlessly?” Appearing and disappearing continue endlessly while self appears and
disappears. Reflect on the words continue endlessly and let them continue endlessly. Allow the moments of appearing and disappearing to continue
and discontinue as the life stream of buddha ancestors.

The moment when appearing and disappearing continue endlessly is “What appears and disappears?” This means “With this body I awaken beings,” “Now I manifest this body,” “I expound dharma,” “Past mind is unattainable,” “You have attained my marrow,” “You have attained my bones.” This is “What appears and disappears?”

(to be continued)

**Jundo** · 05-02-2025, 01:31 AM

I found a little dance from Korea ... the Ocean Seal Samadhi Song ... with English lyrics in subtitles ...
.

Lyrics:

All Dharmas [Phenomena] are the same,
neither am I nor am I, all Dharmas are the same nature, this is
[music]
In the great sea, all sentient beings appear in the form of all beings, all stamps,
towels, the world of life,
wireless fire, all come to the sea, all the great sea
all waves pass over me, all forms,
the impression that follows, the shape of the waves,
my nature is ultimately one sea
the sky is called,
people walk on sweat,
count the sky, I know, but when I look at the original nature,
[music]
all sentient beings appear in the great sea,
all intentions, devices, at the end, the
sentient beings of the present world
float on the sea in impermanence, the great bottom
feeds all waves, and all forms are reflected, the inner self,
the three four, the waves have different shapes, but their nature is ultimately one sea,
I who hear the sky, also sway and give all forms, the sun, the sea, the
shape of the waves is different, but their nature is ultimately
[music]
one sea, at this moment, the appearance of reality
is like my nature, only now my eyes resonate, endlessly,
the moon, the great bottom, all waves, the
impression that follows, the shape of the waves, the
moon, the nature is ultimately one
[music]

**Kotei** · 05-03-2025, 11:02 AM

Thank you everyone.
Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

**Kotishka** · 2025-05-04T10:10:31+00:00

Thank you. From both (Japanese - European) zazenkais I end up with the following question. Sorry if it is too long .

What would defilements be in the great ocean of samadhi? They are part of our existence yet can be tremendously detrimental. To sit zazen, to follow precepts, to engage in wholesome deeds is a way to accept and change these defilements or hindrances.

Are we like surfers engaging with the elements in the ocean? Sometimes choppy, sometimes still, sometimes boring, other times just terrifying.

Gassho,
Karlos sat/lah today.

**Jundo** · 2025-05-04T12:04:28+00:00

Originally posted by Kotishka

Thank you. From both (Japanese - European) zazenkais I end up with the following question. Sorry if it is too long .

What would defilements be in the great ocean of samadhi? They are part of our existence yet can be tremendously detrimental. To sit zazen, to follow precepts, to engage in wholesome deeds is a way to accept and change these defilements or hindrances.

Are we like surfers engaging with the elements in the ocean? Sometimes choppy, sometimes still, sometimes boring, other times just terrifying.

Gassho,
Karlos sat/lah today.

Hi Karlos,

I would say that defilements (such as greed, anger, violence, jealousy and other divided thinking) are the still Ocean, yet they obscure the Ocean, hiding the reality from us, when we are entrapped by the defilements and cannot see through the defilements to realize their true nature. Just as you say: To sit Zazen, to follow Precepts and to engage in wholesome deeds is a way to accept and change these defilements or hindrances. When we do so, the defilements are not known, and do not imprison us, as they did before.

It is something like saying that choppy, still, boring and terrifying are all the ocean, as is the surfer and the surfing. Even the terrifying waves are the still still ocean. Nonetheless, our job is to surf with grace and skill.

I contrast this with teachings that the ocean stillness can only be realized when the defilements are completely removed. For Dogen, even the defilements are undefiled, yet this truth is only realized (known) and realized (made real in life) when we see such fact, and live as best we can free of defilements.

How is that, Karlos?

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

**Shui_Di** · 2025-05-05T17:31:37+00:00

Thank you so much Jundo Roshi, Bion and all Treeleafers.

And also Thank you for Onsho. It really relates to my life. Thank you again.

Anyway, I did the Zazenkai but not in one day. I have to split it into 3 periods, for my daughter is sick, so I can do Zazenkai only when she slept.

The topic about Ocean Mudra Samadhi is very deep indeed. So when I listened to Jundo Roshi about it, and sit with, somehow it arise in my mind. Especially when Jundo talks about time.
.......

Eventhough there is appearing and disappearing, but actually appearing is just appearing, and disappearing is just disappearing.
But, when appearing is just appearing, then appearing is not appearing, since "appearing" only appear when there is "disappearing".
When there is only appearing, then appearing is not appearing, and disappearing is not disappearing.
Thus, appearing has no different with disappearing.
Appearing is also disappearing, disappearing is also appearing.
I think this is what the Lotus sutra means, about cause and result happen simultaneously in a single moment.
That's why there is no appearing of enlightenment or Nirvana, and there is no disappearing of suffering or Samsara.

That's why, Zazen is not the cause of enlightenment, for Zazen itself is enlightenment.
The enlightenment is not only in the sitting form of Zazen. Because "Sitting" (with big S), has no start and an end.
The whole activity is part of Zazen. All are dancing in the Ocean of Samadhi.
And like Jundo Roshi said, Swim Well.

Anyway, sorry for the long typing, and sometimes too much playing with words. But this is what appeared on my mind when in Zazen. But is it too really appearing? Or is it just empty words?

I am so welcome for Jundo Roshi, All Senseis and Treeleafers to comment about this.

Gassho, Mujo
Stlah

**Bion** · 2025-05-05T19:41:38+00:00

Originally posted by Shui_Di

Thank you so much Jundo Roshi, Bion and all Treeleafers.

And also Thank you for Onsho. It really relates to my life. Thank you again.

Anyway, I did the Zazenkai but not in one day. I have to split it into 3 periods, for my daughter is sick, so I can do Zazenkai only when she slept.

Gassho, Mujo
Stlah

Thanks, Mujo, for taking the time to sit with us. It means everything when it comes to building and maintaining sangha!

Gassho
sat lah

May 2nd-3rd, 2025 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI- Swimming the Ocean Mudra Samadhi

May 2nd-3rd, 2025 -OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI- Swimming the Ocean Mudra Samadhi

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment