“REIHO CHOSO USUI SENSEI
KUDOKU NO HI”
Memorial of the merits of Usui Sensei, the founder of Reiho (Reiki Ryoho)
Translated by Rev. Hyakuten Inamoto
That which is attained within oneself after having accumulated
the fruits of disciplined study and training is called ‘Toku’ and
that which can be offered to others after having spread a path of teaching and
salvation is called ‘Koh’. Only with high merits and great virtues
can one be a great founding teacher. Sagacious and brilliant men of the olden
time or the founders of new teachings and religious sects were all like that.
Someone like Usui Sensei can be counted among them. Sensei newly founded the
method based on Reiki of the universe to improve the mind and body. Having heard
of his reputation all over, people crowded around to seek his teachings and
treatments. Ah, how popular it is !
Sensei, commonly known by the name ‘Mikao’, with an extra name (pseudonym)
‘Gyohan’ is from Taniai-mura (village) Yamagata-gun (county), Gifu-ken
(prefecture). He is descended from Chiba Tsunetane. His father’s name
was Taneuji, and was commonly called Uzaemon. His mother was from the Kawai
family.
Sensei was born on August 15 of the first year of Keio (A.D.1865). From his
youth he surpassed his fellows in hard work and endeavor. When he grew up he
visited Europe and America, and studied in China. Despite his will to succeed
in life, he was stalemated and fell into great difficulties. However, in the
face of adversity he strove to train himself even more with the courage never
to yield.
One day, he climbed Kurama-yama and after 21 days of a severe discipline without
eating, He suddenly felt One Great Reiki over his head and attained enlightenment
and he obtained Reiki Ryoho. Then, he tried it on himself and experimented on
his family members. The efficacy was immediate. Sensei thought that it would
be far better to offer it widely to the general public and share its benefits
than just to improve the well-being of his own family members.
In April of the 11th year of Taisho (A.D.1922) he settled in Harajuku, Aoyama,
Tokyo and set up the Gakkai to teach Reiki Ryoho and give treatments. Even outside
of the building it was full of pairs of shoes of the visitors who had come from
far and near.
© Hyakuten Inamoto
In September of
the 12th year (A.D.1923) there was a great earthquake and a conflagration broke
out. Everywhere there were groans of pains from the wounded. Sensei, feeling
pity for them, went out every morning to go around the town, and he cured and
saved an innumerable number of people. This is just a broad outline of his relief
activities during such an emergency.
Later on, as the ‘dojo’ became too small, in February of the 14th
year (A.D.1925) the new suburban house was built at Nakano according to divination.
Due to his respected and far-reaching reputation many people from local districts
wished to invite him. Sensei, accepting the invitations, went to Kure and then
to Hiroshima and Saga, and reached Fukuyama. Unexpectedly he became ill and
passed away there. It was March 9 of the 15th year of Taisho (A.D.1926), aged
62.
His spouse was Suzuki, and was called Sadako. One boy and one girl were born.
The boy was named Fuji and he succeeded to the family. Sensei’s personality
was gentle and modest and he never behaved ostentatiously. His physique was
large and sturdy. He always wore a contented smile. He was stout-hearted, tolerant
and very prudent upon undertaking a task. He was by nature versatile and loved
to read books. He engaged himself in history books, medical books, Buddhist
scriptures, Christian scriptures and was well versed in psychology, Taoism,
even in the art of divination, incantation, and physiognomy. Presumably sensei’s
background in the arts and sciences afforded him nourishment for his cultivation
and discipline, and it was very obvious that it was this cultivation and discipline
that became the key to the creation of Reiho (Reiki Ryoho).
On reflection, Reiho puts special emphasis not just on curing diseases but also
on enjoying wellbeing in life with correcting the mind and making the body healthy
with the use of an innate healing ability. Thus, before teaching, the ‘Ikun’
(admonition) of the Meiji Emperor should reverently be read, and Five Precepts
be chanted and kept in mind mornings and evenings.Firstly
it reads, ‘Today do not anger’, secondly it reads, ‘Do not
worry’, thirdly it reads ‘Be thankful’, fourthly it reads,
‘Work with diligence’, fifthly it reads, ‘Be kind to others’.
These are truly great teachings for cultivation and discipline that agree with
those great teachings of the ancient sages and the wise. Sensei named these
teachings ‘Secret Method to Invite Happiness’ and ‘Miraculous
Medicine to Cure All Diseases’; notice the outstanding features of the
teachings. Furthermore, when it comes to teaching, it should be as easy and
common as possible, nothing lofty. Another noted feature is that during sitting
in silent meditation with Gassho and reciting the Five Precepts mornings and
evenings, the pure and healthy minds can be cultivated and put into practice
in one’s daily routine. This is the reason why Reiho is easily obtained
by anyone.
Recently the course of the world has shifted and a great change in though has
taken place. Fortunately with the spread of this Reiho, there will be many that
supplement the way of the world and the minds of people. How can it be for just
the benefit of curing chronic diseases and longstanding complaints?
A little more than 2,000 people became students of Sensei. Those senior disciples
living in Tokyo gathered at the dojo and carried on the work (of the late Sensei)
and those who lived in local districts also spread the teachings. Although Sensei
is gone, Reiho should still be widely propagated in the world for a long time.
Ah, how prominent and great Sensei is that he offers the teachings to people
out there after having been enlightened within!
Of late the fellow disciples consulted with each other about building the stone
memorial in a graveyard at Saihoji Temple in Toyotama-gun so as to honor his
merits and to make them immortalized and I was asked to write it. As I deeply
submit to Sensei’s greatness and am happy for the very friendly teacher/disciple
relationships among fellow students, I could not decline the request, and I
wrote a summary in the hope that people in the future shall be reminded to look
up at him in reverence.
February, the 2nd year of Showa (A.D.1927)
Composed by: Ju-sanmi (subordinate 3rd rank),
Kun-santo (the 3rd Order of Merit)
Doctor of Literature : Okada Masayuki
Calligraphy by: Navy Rear Admiral,
Ju-yonmi (subordinate 4th rank),
Kun-santo (the 3rd Order of Merit),
Ko-yonkyu (the distinguished service 4th class) :
Ushida Juzaburo