Mikao Usui 1865 – 1926
(The founder of Reiki)
He was born in 15 August 1865 in the village of Taniai–mura now called Miyama-cho in the Yamagata district of Gifu Prefecture this is where his ancestors had lived for eleven generations. He grew up in a Tendai Buddhist family.At the age of four he entered a Tendai Buddhist monastery to receive his primary education. From the age of 12 he studied martial arts called Yagyn Ryu –Samurai swordmanship in which he attained the level of Menkyo Kaiden in his 20s this being the highest licence of proficiency in weaponry and grappling. He would have also studied Kiko the Japanese version of Chi Kung he continued to study and reached high levels in several other most ancient Japanese methods.He studied traditional Chinese medicine, numerology and astrology, psychic and clairvoyant development. Usui also took Zen Buddhist training in 1922 for about three years.During his life Mikao had a number of profession’s such as public servant, office worker, Industrialist, reporter, politician’s secretary, missionary and a supervisor to convicts. He also worked as a private secretary to Shimpei Goto who was secretary of the railroad, postmaster General and secretary of the Interior and state. He continued his spiritual studies and became involved in a spiritual group named “Rei Jyutsu Kai” this group had a centre at the base of the holy mountain Kurama – yama, north Kyoto.On the mountain is the Buddhist temple, Kurama – dera, which has a statue of Amida Buddha. The temple at that time belonged to the Tendai sect and was built in 770 AD. Kurama has been regarded as a power spot and many famous sages as well as Emperors came here to pray. The temple and its surrounding area are kept in their natural state and the mountain itself is the spiritual symbol of Kurama temple. Steps lead down to the base, where some sit to meditate and pray. Nearby is a waterfall that is said to be where Mikao Usui himself often came to meditate
At some stage in his life he became a Tendai Buddist Monk / priest what we would call a lay priest. Still having his own home and not living at the temple This is called a “Zaike” in Japanese a priest possessing a home. On several occasions Mikao took meditation for 21 days on his path to finding enlightenment. This is where he obtained the spiritual enlightenment for the Reiki healing System.
