A Brief Report:

1st International Reiki Congress in Japan 1999 was attended by around 35 people, of various styles of Reiki.   Countries represented: UK (23); Ireland (2); Japan (1); South Africa (2); Argentina (1); Hong Kong (2) and USA (2).   So there were plenty of different points of view, but they all came together in the study and respect of Usui's teachings.

Paying Respects

It was very moving at Saihoji Temple, the morning was graced with torrential rain, perhaps very fitting for a cemetery.  Groups of Usui's followers paid their respect following the Japanese custom of pouring water over the grave/monument.   Water was drawn using a hand pump near the gate and two tubs filled to honour him in this way.   Each person expressed their own respects inwardly and collectively there were recitations and prayers of respect of Usui with each small group around the grave site.  

Saihoji Temple

During the congress various speakers presented their views and research on Usui's life.   Frank Arjava Petter, gave his experience of living and working with Reiki in Japan, highlighting his own connection with Usui's history.   Arjava presented some of the techniques and teachings coming from the Japanese Reiki community.

Lecture in Tokyo

Gordon Bell presented a view of an eastern lineage of Reiki via Venerable Seiji Takamori, giving its spiritual emphasis and meditational philosophy.   He went on to outline the Buddhist side of Usui's work.  

Sojoga-dani Fudo-do (Shrine on the top of Kurama)

Rita Baptista and Joanna Castle gave the group a view of Reiki in South Africa and Otoño Johnson some reflections of Reiki in USA.   The longest travelled - Claudio Marquez, gave us some insights into Reiki practice in Argentina.

The group travelled by air from Tokyo to Kyoto with a spectacular view of Mount Fuji below.

Kyoto was delightful.   The hotel was situated very close to a large number of Buddhist and Shinto temples and monasteries, with parks full of cherry blossom as well as shops and restaurants within 100 metres radius.   This was surely the best time to be in Japan.

More presentations: Allan Sweeney told us of his own styles of Reiki and healing which has lead him to make connections with various Japanese Reiki lineages and groups.   He highlighted his own experiences with the Japanese practitioners and read a translation of part of a manual attributed to Dr Usui.

Jizo Shrine at foot of Kurama to young and unborn children

K.C. Chan lead us through Dr. Usui's life and times.   Reflecting on the various influences in his life, such as ancient spiritual traditions such as Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Oriental medicine, the Meiji Restoration, Shingon and Tendai Sects and the Kurama Temple and Sect.   He focused, over two separate sessions, on the various theories and researched views of Usui's life.   Giving various insights from his own translations of the monument and his teachers account of Usui.   His own teacher in Reiki had actually received a treatment form Usui-san, and had completed his studies with Ushida ( major student of Usui and a president of the Reiki Gakkai).   K.C. (as he liked to be called), gave a demonstration of a seated treatment as his own teacher had received from Usui.   It included various techniques, of contact (touching, pressing, tapping, stroking) as well as working off the body with movement in the energy fields.   {Comment: this style was reminiscent of techniques applied in the Lineage of Takamori}.

Medicine Buddha Practice on Mount Kurama with Otoño Johnson and Gordon Bell

In contrast to the wet, reflective and sombre visit to Usui's grave.   The weather for the Kurama Temple was a hot and sunny day.   Our hearts were light as we climbed the many steps.   Paying our respects at the main gate, and various shrines and waterfalls on the climb.   About half way up we came to the main temple, now of the Kurama Sect, monks chanted in the main hall and below in almost total darkness thousands of pots holding the ashes of the ancestors - the atmosphere was indescribable and made the hair stand on end.   In front of the main temple there was a "power spot" on which most pilgrims stood for a "charge".   All of the group tried it out before commencing the remainder of the climb.   Just before setting off, a nun from the temple gave an introduction to the Kurama Temple and teachings which was translated by Arjava.

The climb to the top led through more wayside shrines, steeply up through exposed tree roots.   Eventually, the woodland levelled out and one final shrine.   The group performed a distant transmission for various causes, some global and others more individual.   Before descending some shared attunements, Gordon and Otoño performed the Healing Buddha practise, and drew water from Kurama's supply for the Offering Water.   All expressed their gratitude and sense of connection with Usui.

Power spots at Kibune Shrine on Kurama

During the descent several more shrines were visited, and more power spots stood on - receiving attunement-like energy charges from the mountain and the blessings of those who have used the mountain in the past in their spiritual journey.   As light failed the journey was over.   I think most managed not to stub their toes!   Amazingly no hot or cold rice, but a vending machine in the middle of nowhere serving very welcome cans of hot coffee!   What a change from Usui's times.

A few visited a local Shinto shrine for UFO's before catching the coach back to Kyoto.

Kyoto in Blossom

As the congress came to a close the diverse group had all expressed their thanks for being able to pay homage to Usui the man and the founder of Reiki.   Simon Treselyan concluded the presentations with a view of Reiki for the next millennium and expressed a common view of hope that the various factions in the world of Reiki could come close together.

The final session was a Questions and Answers with the speakers and a sharing of ideas and visions for the way ahead.   All expressed their thanks to Simon and Madonna for their bravery and determination in organising the Congress, and hopes that this will only be the first of many such gatherings.

Gassho,

Gordon