Reiki and the Healing Buddha (Paperback)

by Maureen Kelly (Author) "The word Reiki is the result of combining the Japanese words Rei and Ki..." (more)
Key Phrases: twelve hand positions, distance symbol, master symbol, Healing Buddha, Mikao Usui, Reiki Master (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Reiki and the Healing Buddha reconnects Reiki with its Buddhist antecedents andprovides both the experienced practitioner and the interested lay person withnew insights and viewpoints on Reiki.

About the Author
The authoris a Reiki master residing in New Zealand. She was the editor of the "Reiki news", in New cZealand. this book is the result of intensive research into the history and background ot reiki. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Lotus Press (August 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914955926
• ISBN-13: 978-0914955924
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,247 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clearly-written and graceful book, August 2, 2001

By	Marty Pinon (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This book is an extraordinary (and extraordinarily clear) discussion of the Buddhist roots of Reiki. The author has in great detail put Reiki practice in the context of meditation on the Healing, or Medicine Buddha within the Esoteric Buddhist tradition.

I am a Reiki Master who previously searched on my own for more information on this subtle healing energy. This book clears up many earlier inconsistencies in writings about Reiki's origins and gives a detailed and quite beautiful view on what Reiki's roots may ultimately be.

This book is not just beautiful for the concepts discussed, but also for its graceful, measured, and lucid presentation. A tremendous spiritual volume.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not factual - not even close., March 7, 2006

By	Mikkyo "aireon" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

As with other reviewers who are both involved with Buddhism and Reiki, this manual is misleading in its content. It might sound good, but it is not based on factual information.

I am a Reiki Master Teacher in both Usui Reiki Ryoho and Usui Shiki Ryoho for over 10 years. I have also been involved with Esoteric Buddhism for well over 20 years. I am also a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Bodyworker. I teach Bodywork. I also have a very solid understanding of Eastern Culture & Bodywork, particularly that of Japan. Having great knowledge in these fields, I can speak from fact.

Here is a review of this book that I made for another forum:


Pros
.... Still out on this one

Cons
The book is terribly inaccurate. First, it bases the practice of Reiki on Buddhism, then after acknowledging that the different paths of Buddhism are not the same, she goes on to use various paths of Buddhism to support her idea that Reiki is Buddhist by creating the idea that these various forms of Buddhism are the same. Most of the book itself is based on some sort of Chinese Buddhist representation - not Japanese - definitely not Esoteric Buddhist.

Being a practicing Buddhist - in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism - I can say that Reiki is NOT Buddhist healing. Even though Usui-San was Buddhist, and he did base some of his practices of his spiritual system on Buddhist teachings, the practice of Usui's hands on healing was based more on the application of Kiko (Japanese Qi Gung) and early forms of Shinto hands on healing than anything Buddhist. Various forms of Buddhism does have hands on healing - though it requires faith in (and dedication to) Buddhism for it to work AND it differs greatly from Reiki (See "Kaji - Empowerment and Healing in Esoteric Buddhism" by Oda for more details on this subject).

Second, Kelly not only links Reiki to Buddhism, she goes further and links Reiki with the healing practices of Northern India and Mesopotamia, claiming that they are one and the same thing. Speaking out against this idea, most Eastern cultures have some belief in energy and energy work (as do they have some sort of empowerment / blessing techniques). Most of these cultures also have some form of touch therapy that works with this energy. Interestingly enough, some of these forms of energy work also have a form of blessing/initiation/attunement process. These similar traits, however, do not mean to say that ALL Eastern forms of energy work and hands on healing are the same. Quite the contrary, some cultures may hold very different beliefs altogether - such as India with the 5 element theory of the tattva (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit) and the Kundalini and Chakras systems vs. the Chinese with a polaric Yin/Yang balance, elemental system of wood, metal, water, fire, & earth and their use of the meridian system (which, I may ad, Kelly also links together).

Simply, there is no direct link to Reiki in any Buddhist text - Japanese or otherwise. What is more interesting, this text links Reiki to Buddhism through representation and comparison, yet, fails to actually show that they are directly linked in any way.

In Conclusion
Reiki is Japanese, plain and simple. It does not come from Tibet, China, India, Mesopotamia, or Sedona Arizona. Reiki is not a Buddhist practice, nor does it hold any esoteric link to Buddhist teachings or scriptures - unless you want to try and relate them yourself. It definitely isn't related to the Chinese Bu ga mandala. Reiki is not related to any other Eastern healing modality - save that of those popular in Japan during Usui's time.

*****

Lastly, the myth that Reiki comes from Tibet is very wrong. Esoteric Buddhism reached Japan before it did Tibet. It could not have originated from some place it didnt even exist yet. See this site for more details.....
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, June 3, 2001

By	Lord Soth "Loren" (Equator) - See all my reviews

Hi! I'm a Reiki practitioner.

This book is very well researched and is a must read for all Reiki practitioners and Masters.

It shows the connection between Reiki and the Healing Buddha. For example, the Reiki Master symbol is actually "hidden" within the vows of the Healing Buddha! Another interesting fact is that the two Bodhisattvas assisting the healing Buddha are called "Bright Sun" and "Bright Moon", the names of which if combined together gives you a significant portion of the Reiki Master symbol.

There is also an indepth discussion on the "hidden" meanings of the traditional Mikao Usui's background and story...etc. Lastly, there is also much explanation of the Reiki symbols and their background and uses.

What are you waiting for? GRAB THIS BOOK NOW!