| Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, was a spiritual and | | | | Western cultures. Usui has been reported to have |
| philosophical man. There is a great deal of | | | | practiced as a Tendai Buddhist Monk (not living in the |
| controversy regarding the history and origins of Reiki. | | | | monastery) and in 1922 studied Zen Buddhist training |
| To understand this history, it is necessary to | | | | for three years. |
| understand the man behind the healing. Usui-Sensei | | | | Reiki has its roots in the religions Usui had studied, |
| was born on April 15, 1865 in the small village of | | | | Tendai Buddhism and Shintoism. A form of mystical |
| Taniai, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. At the age of three, it | | | | Buddhism, Tendai nurtured spiritual teachings and |
| is reported that Usui was sent to a Tendai | | | | Shintoism incorporated manipulating energies. Usui, as |
| Monastery School. When Usui was 12, he began to | | | | a swordsman and proficient in kiko (the Japanese |
| study martial arts. This was the beginning of a | | | | word for the Chinese art of Chi Gung), combined his |
| longstanding appreciation for martial arts and training. | | | | martial arts skills and spiritualism studies and training |
| He studied 'Yagyu Ryu', a martial art incorporating | | | | to create his vision of Reiki Ryoho. This term, literally |
| Samurai swordsmanship (Ken-Jutsu) and unarmed | | | | translated, is Spiritual Healing and the term was used |
| combat (Ju-jitsu). Usui went on to earn 'Menkyo | | | | by other therapists of the time. |
| Kaiden' in his 20s, this being the highest level of | | | | Usui- Sensei, as he is known (meaning master), was |
| mastery in weaponry. | | | | teaching at this time and had some loyal students. In |
| As a child and young man, Usui's life was difficult. He | | | | 1921, it is believed he employed the five principals |
| did not come from a wealthy family, was regarded | | | | precepts ('gokai') as adopted from the 1915 book " |
| as an eccentric and had a number of jobs. He married | | | | Kenzen no Genri" (Health Principles) written by Dr. |
| Sadako Suzuki and had a son, Fuji, in 1908 and a | | | | Bizan Suzuki: " Just for today, do not anger, do not |
| daughter, Toshiko in 1913. While working in diplomatic | | | | fear, work hard, be honest and be kind to others" |
| service, he had the opportunity to travel to China, | | | | into his teachings. |
| Europe and America where he learned about | | | | |