Buck wrote:Rick Rivard has mention of Taireido on his site at:
http://www.threshold.ca/reiki/origins2.html

Apparently the founder of Taireido was involved in necromancy to some degree.

I did read that site trying to get more info on the subject before i got hold of Morihei Tanaka's work "Taireido", and it is the only place it Tanaka has been related to necromancy as far as i am aware, in the book "Taireido", which is supposed to be his complete works, there is no mention of anything even closely related. My guess is that this is a misunderstanding, but i would like to see the reference Mr. Rivard has to make this statement.
Maybe Giuseppe and James have more info concerning Tanaka and Necromancy. Personally i ignored the statement as it was not mentioned from any other source on the topic. Tanaka from what i have read was known for his healing. Also Mr. Rivard translates reishijutsu as "spirit child method", which might be misleading - se Giuseppe´s document on Taireido provided by James at the start of this thread where reishi directly may be translated as spirit son/child - but in context is more like spirit strength...
Personally this quote, no disrespect to Mr. Rivard, seems more like personal opinion from the understanding of fragments of history, however he did notice Tanaka´s national pride - although he calls it "the ultra nationalistic Tanaka".



Buck, get password from Wayne and download the book - check it out, would be great to hear your thoughts on the topic.

f

Quote from the Rivard´s site:
I wonder why he started to pursue the path of spiritualism. It seems it is important to understand the era he lived in. From Meiji (1868-1912) and early Showa (1926 - 1989), most of the old religious authorities lost their powers, while many new leaders appeared. Tennen Kuwabara and Morihei Tanaka, who was the founder of Taireido, especially excelled in necromancy and they attracted people by their special abilities. Spiritual leader Onisaburo Deguchi of Oomoto-kyo and Mokichi Okada of Sekai-kyusei-kyo are also the personalities that revealed themselves in that era. Of these people, who had a relationship with Dr. Usui, either directly or indirectly? Thinking of all the possibilities, Morihei Tanaka is the most likely. He was born in Tajimi City and established the head office of Taireido there, next to Miyamacho where Dr. Usui was born. He developed one kind of life energy theory called ‘Reishijutsu’ (spirit child method) to apply his treatment and produced desired results. In addition, it is said that those who excelled in this method could see through the affected areas like X-ray pictures. It is a mere guess, but it is hard to think that Dr. Usui wasn’t interested in Tanaka, who came to the forefront in the religious world around 1917. However, that Dr. Usui kept a more liberal position than the ultra nationalistic Tanaka can be guessed from the names of his navy apprentices. It was common for politicians and military people to seek council from powerful religions at that time, but still it was rare for people in the navy, where more liberal thinking was common and overseas information is plentiful. (Rick's Note: In late 1925, retired admirals Ushida and Taketomi attended the Usui dojo with 18 other navy men. Dr. Hayashi was also a retired navy surgeon.)

Milarepa wrote:

I'm wondering out loud, is what Rick saying (depending on his source) the original meaning of necromancy (spiritual summoning like protection/advice) or, the newer demonic meaning. The former could come under the experience of Reiki maybe?

Then again, so could the latter, depending on whom is asked!

good question, i wonder what is ment by it

fshortt wrote:

Milarepa wrote:

I'm wondering out loud, is what Rick saying (depending on his source) the original meaning of necromancy (spiritual summoning like protection/advice) or, the newer demonic meaning. The former could come under the experience of Reiki maybe?

Then again, so could the latter, depending on whom is asked!

good question, i wonder what is ment by it

i'm thinking rick may have understood it to be the original meaning of the word? Cause in the same body of text, Rick does suggest Usui Reiki may have been influenced by Tanaka. To draw a correlation, whilst also using the word 'necromancy' in the same text body, wouldn't make sense (to me), if rick meant demonic stuff.

i'll send Rick an email, he's always pretty fast at replying. Or alternatively, maybe Buck could, as buck's been taught by him.

Hi Folks,

And thank you Frank for sharing this wonderful book with us...


I was reading...page 65,66.." I follow systematically the path of progress, knowing when to move and when to stop, indifferent to praise or blame"

Looks a whole heck of alot like something I ran into in Komyo Reiki..."go placidly in the midst of praise or blame"

I suppose i should not be all that surprised. From what I have been reading lately, it would seem to me, and of course I could be wrong but...Buddhist concepts of non attachment seem to be everywhere in many spiritual practices of that time period in that part of the world. OR...do these concepts predate Buddhism?

On page 65, "Creed" it would seem to me that the values of the precepts are contained in the ideas...I guess that`s really not that surprising either, at least not to me.

"We believe in the nature of Tairie which consists of being free from the limitations of time and space, existence and non-existence. Sounds kinda "Buddhist" to me...he,he

I`ve just started to read this book...I find many concepts to be familiar through my study of reiki...general concepts, not specifics for the most part...


thanks again Frank.


RJ

Reikijim wrote:Hi Folks,

And thank you Frank for sharing this wonderful book with us...


I was reading...page 65,66.." I follow systematically the path of progress, knowing when to move and when to stop, indifferent to praise or blame"

Looks a whole heck of alot like something I ran into in Komyo Reiki..."go placidly in the midst of praise or blame"

I suppose i should not be all that surprised. From what I have been reading lately, it would seem to me, and of course I could be wrong but...Buddhist concepts of non attachment seem to be everywhere in many spiritual practices of that time period in that part of the world. OR...do these concepts predate Buddhism?

dunno if the concepts were indigenous to Japan or not, maybe someone else knows?

I think in hinduism (form which we know buddhism might have evolved), the concept of non attachment is prevalent, in that sense it's predated, don't think yo uwere aksing that though really!

Reikijim wrote:
"We believe in the nature of Tairie which consists of being free from the limitations of time and space, existence and non-existence. Sounds kinda "Buddhist" to me...he,he

Or, one of our quantum physics chat's on here! hehe. actually, when i get up tomorrow, i'm gonna look at that text you've mentioned. See if it's got any possible meaning to absent healing, that may tie in with assumptions in Reiki.

Take care
Wayne

In reference to one of Frank's earlier posts, here is a list of some of the similarities and differences between Taireido and Reiki that I originaly posted in the Admin group while this topic was temporarily locked (and I forgot to copy it over!):

Some similarities between Taireido and Reiki:

Definitions:

Taireido = Way of the Great Spirit

Tairei = Tairei is the Great Spirit, Ultimate Reality, free from all limitations of space and time, existence and non-existence, transcending all things. It is the sum and substance of all truth and goodness, comprising all perfection. (i.e. God or the Divine. Reiki is an emanation of the Divine within us and around us.)
Reishi = An all-pervading principle, which is an emanation of Tairei, and the means by which Tairei manifests itself in creation. It translates as Spirit-action.

Reiki has been said to be the effect of Spirit in Action.

Aims of the System:

Taireido aims to correct the physical, mental and spiritual inaccuracies of man so as to produce that perfection of character and condition which is alone is consistent with truth and happiness. The destiny of man on this earth is to be brought completely into harmony with the way of the Great Spirit in all things.

Usui is said to have referred to his spiritual teachings as his Method to Achieve Perfection. Also, the aims of Reiki are said to be to improve the mind and body (Shin Shin Kaizen) and Unity of Self Through Harmony and Balance to reach a state of perfect peace and happiness – anshin ritsumei.

Action over distance:

The Action of Reishi can be used over any distance, with the help of a photograph and some basic information about the client. Its effects can be felt at the same time as the practitioner does the treatment, afterwards or sometime even before! The actual method used in distant healing involves what appears to be a form of mudra being pressed into the practitioner’s tensed abdomen – a method known as Reiyu.

Distant healing in Reiki is also done with the help of a photograph and basic information to help make the connection (plus the use of the jumon, or incantation, HSZSN).

Interestingly, the way described for acquiring/activating Reishi from a standing position includes standing with hands, right on left, over the centre of the abdomen , closing the eyes and reciting the “prayer” Zenshin-Tairei! Zenshin-Tairei! Zenshin-Tairei! repeatedly. Two of the presumably many possible translation of this phrase are Whole Body, Great Spirit and Good Faith, Great Spirit.

Both systems have techniques for healing bad habits in person and over distance and well, although Taireido's techniques tend to consist of various hand positions, the use of Reiyu, a strong intention to heal and the removal of the client from sources of temptation.

Also, referring to Jim's post, I too noticed the similarity with that part of the Taireido Creed and the Komyo Reiki motto...interesting, indeed!

god colin, you're up late like me bro! I'm gonna read your post properly in a sec.

Frank, i got word back from rick. As his article states, the author that used the term necromancy is only mentioned in relation to Usui sensei's time. The author whom made the report in 1986, in the twilight magazine is merely guessing, as he says it himself.

No necromancy in Taireido...
And Taireido is above religions (buddhist, hindu, shinto.....)
Good "Tairei" Practice!
Giuseppe.

P.S. Thanks to Frank for his gratitude: it's a pleasure to share taireido with you.

Milarepa wrote:...for instance the absent healing method taught by Takata sensei is wrote about in the Taireido book, almost exact. what can be got from this, is that a guy whom lived close to Usui sensei created a style which pre-dated Usui Reiki, and yet Usui Reiki taught a technique that's the same as it's forerunner.

Perhaps Tanaka's* Taireido influenced Usui's Reiki Ryoho

or perhaps instead, Tanaka's Taireido and Usui's Reiki Ryoho were both (independently) influenced by another, earlier, source...





______
* there is more than one 'Taireido'

fshortt wrote:As for the time period in early 1900 Japan there seems to be a lot of similar conceptualisation and doctrines regarding "old-new/new-religious" founders - even when looking at another art like aikido - the founder had many similar thoughts to what can be seen in the religious/healing movements - or spiritualist movements of the time.

Well, Ueshiba was an active member of Omoto for many years. He was close to Onisaburo Deguchi, and as I recall, it was actually Deguchi who encouraged Ueshiba to develop his own art (which eventually evolved into Aikido - in the late 30's/early 40's)

fshortt wrote:...I did read that site trying to get more info on the subject before i got hold of Morihei Tanaka's work "Taireido", and it is the only place it Tanaka has been related to necromancy as far as i am aware, in the book "Taireido", which is supposed to be his complete works, there is no mention of anything even closely related. My guess is that this is a misunderstanding, but i would like to see the reference Mr. Rivard has to make this statement.
Maybe Giuseppe and James have more info concerning Tanaka and Necromancy.

well, the reference on Ricks site is from a translation of :
A Quest for the Origin of "Reiki Healing" a 1986 article by Shiomi Takai

another translation of the same article states:

"From the Meiji era to the early part of the Showa era, while the established religions were losing power, many new spiritual leaders appeared on the scene.

Amongst them were, Tennen Kuwahara, and Morihei Tanaka, the founder of Taireido. These especially are said to have had 'spiritual skill' / 'spiritual power' ('reijutsu') and attracted many followers. Onisaburo Deiguchi of Daihonkyo and Mokichi Okada, the founder of Sekaikyuseikyo are also seen as 'great lights' who shone around that time.

So, which spiritual healer would have influenced Dr Usui? The likeliest possibility could have been Morihei Tanaka, as he was from Tajimi city, where he established the Taireido headquarters. This was also close to Miyama-cho where Dr Usui was born.

Tanaka was said to practice "Reishi jutsu" which is a kind of life energy theory and healed many people successfully. Skillful practitioners were supposed to be able to see through the body just like an X-ray.

This is only a presumption but it is likely that Dr Usui may have taken an interest in Tanaka who became rather well known around 1918. .... "

no mention of necromancy.

fshortt wrote:
Also Mr. Rivard translates reishijutsu as "spirit child method", which might be misleading - se Giuseppe´s document on Taireido provided by James at the start of this thread where reishi directly may be translated as spirit son/child - but in context is more like spirit strength... "

Indeed, the specific meaning applied to the term Reishi as it is used in Taireido is not clear
Rei is the same 'Rei' as in Reiki, Shi is Child, however in combination* the Taireido-related meaning is almost certainly not a reference (even poetically) to a 'spirit child'
It more likely speaks of spiritual force or impetus


__________
*
in another topic I mentioned how there are often problems translating Japanese words written using kanji-pairs.
Reishi is written usung the kanji which can simplistically translate as spirit/soul and the kanji which can simplistically translate as 'child' - however if we look at another word which has the 'child' kanji:
genshi
gen ='original' and shi = 'child
yet rather than something like 'original child', genshi means 'atom'

The right meaning of "Reishi" is "Spirit-Force".
Please see page 425.

Good Taireido Practice!
Giuseppe.

fshortt wrote:
Buck, get password from Wayne and download the book - check it out, would be great to hear your thoughts on the topic.

I have downloaded the book, thank you for the effort. I know from personal experience that that task takes a long time.

stonetemplar wrote:The right meaning of "Reishi" is "Spirit-Force".
Please see page 425.

Hi Giuseppe

Yes, it says this in the English version of the book; I would be interested to see the sentence as written in your Japanese copy of the book.

What is the original Japanese phrase translated as 'spirit force' in the English version?

Also, what is the original Japanese written form of 'Reiyu'
- as in 'The Reiyu Method', p39

The 1920 publication, there's a Japanese version, and an English one then? Anyone (Guiseppe or James) know if both versions where published simultaneously, or was there possibly some delay with the English version? If so, any idea of th etime frame please?

thanks loads
Wayne