I recently came across a fascinating video that offers a glimpse into life at a Zen monastery in the 21st century. It’s intriguing to think that Mikao Usui’s life might have closely resembled what we see in this footage. Historical records suggest that Usui spent time living in various monasteries, and his memorial stone indicates that he deeply engaged with Buddhist, Taoist, and even Christian scriptures—studies that likely took place in monastic settings.
Filmed in 2020 at the Antaiji Zen monastery, the video follows six Zen practitioners as they navigate their daily lives. We hear their stories about why they chose monastic life, why some come to the realisation that monastic life isn’t the answer they were seeking, the spiritual and mental challenges they face, and get a vivid picture of their routine—from daily 4-hour zazen (sitting meditation) sessions to tending the garden, cleaning, and performing everyday tasks.
I can’t help but wonder about Mikao Usui’s own experiences with such intense practices. Did he undergo the grueling Rohatsu Sesshin— a week of 15-hour daily zazen in the depths of winter? (See the daily programme for Sesshin here.) What mental and spiritual struggles might he have faced during his hours of meditation? How many times did he consider leaving the monastery, and what ultimately prompted his departure?
For me, as someone with a Christian background and little direct experience with Buddhism, this video has provided a much clearer understanding of why Usui developed the system of Reiki the way he did. The five Reiki Principles and the importance of meditative practices certainly make a lot more sense now.
I hope that after watching this video, you too will find answers to some of your questions about Reiki and gain a deeper insight into its origins and practices.
