20 [Start of Training] What should I do with my hands when meditating?

What should i do with my hands when meditating?    In the meditation rooms of monks and non-disciplined Buddhists, you can see that the positions of the hands are different when sitting in meditation. In some meditation rooms, the thumbs are put together in the lower extremity position, while in other meditation rooms, the palms are placed on both knees and sitting meditation is practiced.    Also, in some places of practice, I have seen that the position and shape of each practitioner's hands are different. Some made a circle with the first and second fingers and put them on both knees, others put them on their thighs with a clenched fist, and there were others who followed the shape of Buddha's hand as it is.    This would mean that the shape of your hands does not determine the success or failure of your meditation practice. In other words, hand treatment does not play a large role in meditation. Of course, as your practice deepens and your body is completely relaxed, there will be times when you should put your hands and arms behind you. However, at that time, practitioners will naturally learn, so beginners should not be forced to do unreasonable hand shapes. However, each practitioner has different lengths of hands and arms, so this should be taken into account.   When sitting meditation, place your arm in a position that allows you to relax. Those with short arms can place their hands on their thighs, and those with long arms can place them on their knees. Place your hands in the most relaxed position. At this time, it does not matter whether the palm is up or down. Those who can relax well when the palm is up will do so, and if the relaxation works well when the palm is down, then you can do that.    Occasionally, I saw monks attaching both palms to the danjeon. However, this posture should be reconsidered. Why do you practice sitting meditation? It is to cleanse the mind and body of dirt by erasing the thoughts and correcting the body. A dirty body refers to a body that is hardened. It is to relax and cleanse the body that has been hardened by the winds and waves of the world. If you exert even a little force while doing sitting meditation, you will not be able to relax. It means that if you keep your palms attached to the dantian, you will not be able to relax because your hands and arms will be strained.    Handling while sitting meditation is very simple. Hands are handled according to the body shape of the practitioner, but placed in a position that allows for the best relaxation. There is no fixed law in the law, and the Buddha said that he does not say two words. The truth is very simple and concise.