Ninpo

[Anbu Alex]

i was really hoping that this post would end the fact of the matter is you shouldnt do the kuji if 1 you dont have proper training in it and 2. Out of respect of other religions the kuji are buhddist and shinto i was told so by buhddist and shinto practioners. also zanshin doent have one set meaning cause thats the way Japanese as a language is zanshin doest mean going to a criticle point and have the instinct to survive but it can also have additional meanings

[shogeri]

I agree to leave religious aspects to their own, and keep such out of the MA.

I also agree that zanshin, is nothing more than a state of relaxed mental alertness, that indeed does integrate into many facets of our life.

[Novicewarrior]

It is mentioned here in this thread that Kuji came from Mikkyo and Shinto practices. What I see left out is Taoism. Taoism also uses hand seals. Going back to the esoteric buddhism view, the Tibetans also have extensive knowledge of hand seals. The Ninja also learned teachings of Shugendo, which is a blend of Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism. Unfortunately with esoteric schools you have to find a teacher to train you. I wish it was simple enough that you could learn it from a book, but that would be too easy I suppose.