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Encyclopaedia of Ancient, Obscure and Esoteric East Asian Religious Practices

Mudrā Scrolls as Ritual Training Technology

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Canonical entry drawn from a single source layer in 11_ILLUSTRATED_MIKKYO_ASTRAL_FUNERARY_v1_9.md.

Research layers

Section titled “Research layers”

Layer 1: Mudrā Scrolls as Ritual Training Technology

Section titled “Layer 1: Mudrā Scrolls as Ritual Training Technology”

Source file: 11_ILLUSTRATED_MIKKYO_ASTRAL_FUNERARY_v1_9.md

Japanese: 印相 / insō
Type: Embodied ritual instruction

Historical function

Section titled “Historical function”

Japanese Esoteric mudrā scrolls preserve hand configurations used in meditation and ritual. Mudrās physically enact truths and also help interpret deity images.

Learning procedure

Section titled “Learning procedure”
  1. Identify the exact mudrā by deity/rite.
  2. Study the diagram.
  3. Learn finger placement from a qualified teacher.
  4. Learn pressure, orientation, height relative to body and transition into/out of the seal.
  5. Coordinate the mudrā with its mantra.
  6. Coordinate both with the associated visualization.
  7. Practice the three together as body, speech and mind rather than three independent tricks.
  8. Use the seal only in the ritual location specified by the liturgy.

Image target

Section titled “Image target”

The Met’s Heian-period Scroll of Mudras from Shōren-in is a prime retrospective illustration target.