Kuji-in

The kuji-in (Japanese: 九字印) or jiǔzìyìn (Chinese: 九字印), also known as Nine Hand Seals, is a system of mudras and associated mantras that consist of nine syllables. The mantras are referred to as kuji (Japanese: 九字), which literally translates as nine characters. The syllables used in kuji are numerous, especially within Mikkyō (Japanese Esoteric Buddhism).

Scholars have stated that kuji is of Daoist rather than Buddhist origin. There is no mention of kuji in any of the Shingon or Tendai records brought to Japan.

The use of kuji is essentially a layman's practice and is uncommon in many orthodox Buddhist traditions. It is, however, found extensively in Shugendō, the ascetic mountain tradition of Japan, and in Ryōbu Shintō, which combined Shingon esoteric practices with shinbutsu-shūgō, the syncretism of Buddhist divinities with kami.

The nine Buddhist cuts in order are: Rin, Pyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, and Zen.

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