Left hand on top for zazen

[tristan]

My aikido teacher has had training in zazen and he puts his right hand
on top of his left. His teacher was a Chinese man from Bangkok (and at
that time living in Sydney). My teacher explained that having the
right hand on top was the 'classical form' and that when buddhism came
to Japan, schools used the left hand on top.

Can anyone verify this? Does anyone know why this was done?

As an aside, is there a tradition of studying mudras in Zen?

[Mujyo]

Hi Tristan,
Mudra study, referred to as Mikkyo - mystery teaching - Is part of
Shingon and Tendai, but is not formally taught in Zen temples except
as the later part of priests training for officiating important
ceremonies. During Dai Ritsu, Big Ceremonies, such as Dai Hannya
Shinygo the officiating priest performs Mikkyo rites.
I think i fair to say usually Rinzai priests know the rites
pertaining
to important Bodhisattvas at a Zen temple not usually more than that
or to the extent of a Shingon priest

As to the main question about Zazen Mudra (Hakka-jo-in), Rinzai
places
left hand on top, Soto-shu do reverse (as in all things such as
stepping off foot in the dojo ect.) I looked through some notes for
you, as you know I make Bukkyo art, but theres not much help there.
Rinzai lines are dominant through Asia, so I would not be suprised if
the Rizai way found in Japan is frequently found in other places too.
Soto-shu as found in Japan does not in fact derive as people think
from Tozan and Sozan, though the name Soto is the compound, but comes
through another line.

The compound has more to do with differing the new (Dogen) line from
other Rinzai lines. So Im unsure why some things they do, come about
as they do. Heres an interesting note though, the Zazen method used
in
Soto (Shikan Taza) is from Northern Zen, in northern Kungfu styles
they are left right first as well. So suggests to me it might have
come out of northern temples.
Im sorry when I hear someone say - those Japanese changed it - I
shrink

back a bit. Reminds me of old pirates stories - where did Captain Kid
bury his treasure? I reckon it was the Island to the left. In fact
Japanese lines of Buddhism are pretty unbroken where as in other
countries they often can not say that. The method of sitting,
sleeping, eating on the Tan in a Sodo has not changed since Tang
times
for example. These are not people who change things to be pedantic.

gassho,
Mujyo