Hi,
I know this is a very old thread but I really need some help. I just signed up today reason being that on Monday i am to be attuned to first level Reiki and 21 days later go for level Il. I am so confused now, as i thought i would do some research about Reiki in Islam some say Islam prohibits Reiki because you have to write symbols and worship Buddah, and some say its allowed. I have read some posts on this thread but still have not got my answer. My best friend is a Reiki Master and has been for over 10 years. He has been saying for so long to get attuned but didnt make up my mind till yesterday that i will go for it had never looked into Reiki but now that I have/had made my decision I am totally confused if to go ahead or not to.
Could someone please assist me in this or if there is someone from the Muslim religion that can help i would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you
I can't speak in relation to Islam, that is something for yourself to consider, and there's plenty of good information already in this thread.
In answer to your specific questions, Reiki does NOT require worshipping Buddha at all.
The originator of Reiki, Usui sensei, was from Japan, for which Buddhism is obviously a predominant philosophy, and he was obviously brought up with Buddhism, but he also travelled and studied many different religions, philosophies and spiritual practices, so when he taught Reiki, it was not with any particular Religious requirements. I consider myself an atheist with strong scientific background, having no belief in God, in the traditional sense, but still consider myself to have the spiritual nature, and find Reiki works for me, even without such 'religious' beliefs; because it simply doesn't require them.
As for the symbols, yes, Reiki does include three symbols when you learn Reiki level II, and a further symbol at Reiki Master/Teacher level should you choose to do that. So that you can make an informed choice, one of those symbols is based on an old traditional Japanese symbol, found on Shinto and other temples, and also in other cultures, and represents power and the physical aspects. Another one of the symbols is based on Japanese Kanji (Japanese writing) and is used for giving Reiki at a distance, representing time and space. The third of the level II symbols is loosely based (it's less clear) on Sanskrit writing and is used for the emotional and mental aspects of giving Reiki. So, they represent the ability to use Reiki for physical, emotional and mental aspects of healing (yourself or others) in any time or place (thus some may choose, for example to heal an emotional issue that is rooted in their childhood, by using the emotional symbol with the distance symbol, and using the power symbol to 'magnify' the healing energy - it's open to interpretation, and intention, how you use them).
Now, when I say we "use" the symbols, in Japanese they are referred to as Kotodama, which is the belief that words have energy/power, because each of the symbols has a Japanese 'word' associated with it, and we 'use' it by simply saying the word with the intention of what we are using it for. People also tend to draw the symbols in the air with their hands, or in their mind as they say it, as that can help to focus their attention on their intention; however it's NOT necessary to draw the symbols, if that is something that your beliefs tell you is wrong in some way. The key here is the "intention", so simply stating the intention of e.g. emotional healing, or of physical healing etc. and where you want it to go e.g. emotional healing on this childhood issue; or physical healing on this pain in the leg etc. is all that is required.
Original Reiki teachings were using the Kotodama (words), but it is thought that the symbols were included as an aide to those students who needed something to help them focus and visualise on to improve their intention. Remember, Reiki originated a long time ago, before many could read or write, and the teachings were not passed on using written texts, they were taught verbally instead, so the association of the words, with a symbol was a means of aiding memory of the teachings.
I hope that helps to clarify for you.
Doing Reiki II after only 21 days of Reiki I is somewhat unusual in todays society. It is usually recommended that you take time to get used to treating yourself daily, and family/friends (if they are accepting of it) and time to study and learn about Reiki until such a time that you feel within yourself that you are ready to progress. In Usui sensei's day, it is believed that he did teach what we call Reiki I and II within the same timeframe e.g. over a few weeks, but that was for students who were studying daily with him, and who may have travelled some distance to be taught so would not be making multiple journeys to be taught.
The "21 days" you mention sounds a little like the myth that people who get attuned to Reiki I, should do daily self-cleansing healing for 21 days after the attunement. This is considered a myth because so many people mistakenly think that after 21 days you stop giving yourself healing; the truth is that you should give yourself Reiki every day, regardless of how long you have been attuned for. We've had people on these forums before asking things like "what should I do now that I've done my 21 days healing?" because their teacher hasn't explained it (or even understood it in some cases). The answer is, you carry on doing it.
At the end of the day, it's your choice to get attuned. Don't do it just because your friend has said you should.