Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: The Buddhist origins of Reiki (video)

Saturday, August 29, 2026

The Buddhist origins of Reiki (video)

Reiki Founder Mikao Usui

Mikao Usui (1865-1926), commonly Usui Mikao in Japanese, was the founder of Reiki, a form of spiritual energy healing used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental diseases.

He taught Reiki to over 2,000 people during his lifetime. Eleven of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, equivalent to the Western third degree or Master level.

Early life, family, and education

What is our energetic aura?

He was born in Taniai village (now Miyama cho), Yamagata district, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, now located near present-day Nagoya. His ancestors were the once influential Chiba clan of Hatamoto samurai.

According to the inscription on his memorial, Tsunetane Chiba, a military commander during the end of the Heian period and the start of the Kamakura period (1180-1230), was one of Usui's ancestors.

In 1551, Toshitane Chiba conquered the city Usui and thereafter all family members acquired that name.

Usui was raised as a samurai from childhood, specifically in the martial arts techniques of aiki (合氣術) or "Way of Aiki" = Aikido.

A Shumei member recently told us that three Japanese men all belonged to an organization called Oomoto Kyo ("Great Source"). One went on to develop Reiki, another (Morihei Ueshiba) Aikido, and a third (Mokichi Okada) Jyorei energy healing and Shumei.
Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. His goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury. Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the way of harmonious spirit." According to the founder's philosophy, the primary goal in the practice of aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness against others.

Although there are many stories extant in the United States that Usui earned a doctorate in theology at the theological seminary of the University of Chicago, he never attended, let alone received any degree from the University of Chicago.

Career and activities

There is a universal life force (chi or ki)

As an adult, it is believed that he traveled to several Western countries, including the Americas, Europe, and China as a part of his continued study.

His studies included medicine, history, Buddhism, Christianity, psychology, and Taoism.

It is believed that the aim of Usui's teachings was to provide a method for students to achieve connection with the "universal life force" energy (prana, esoteric energy, holy spirit, spiritus, animating force) that would help them in their self-development.

What sets his teachings apart from other hands-on healing methods is his use of attunement (reiju) to remind students of their spiritual connection.

It seems that all of his students received five principles to live by and those with a further interest in the teachings became dedicated students.

There does not appear to have been a distinction between clients and students in the beginning though this may have changed at some point.

People began coming to Usui Mikao possibly for different purposes -- some for healing and others for the spiritual teachings.

Shugendō is a Japanese mountain ascetic shamanism that incorporates Shinto and Buddhist practices [15].

The roles of Shugendō practitioners include offering religious services such as fortune telling, divination, channeling, prayer, ritual incantations, and exorcism.

Shugendo was often used by family clans to heal disease or avoid misfortune [11].

Claims of Reiki's Christian origins

Hawayo Takata, a Reiki Master under the tutelage of Chujiro Hayashi (林忠次郎, 1880–1940), lied about Reiki's history of development to make Reiki more appealing to the West [16].

To this end she made a relation of Reiki with Jesus Christ and not with Buddhism.

Buddhist origins of Reiki

She also falsely presented Usui as the dean of a Christian school. While he had obtained the knowledge of Reiki from the Buddhist religious book The Tantra of the Lightning Flash, Takata claimed that he had been inspired from the story of Jesus Christ, who had healed with the touch of his hand.

So Usui, it was said, had come to America to learn Reiki. She told this to spread Reiki among Christians, too, believing it would otherwise be extinct.

However, in 1994, the original manuscript was found, which claimed that Reiki had originated from Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism [17]. More

The origins of Reiki and the glory of India: It's all prana (breath, spirit, spiritual-energy)