Jion Prosser
Frans and Bronwen Stiene interview Reverend Jion Prosser, a fully ordained American Tendai Buddhist priest.
Some people believe that Usui Mikao, the founder of the system of Reiki, was a Tendai practitioner, if not a Tendai priest. For this reason, to be able to speak to one of the very few western Tendai priests that exist is a real eye-opener and a blessing for all of us.
Reverend Prosser has spent at least 10 years living in Japan where he underwent intense ordination training.
In this podcast he explains about the differences between the Japanese and Western psyche, and the commonalities and differences between Reiki and Tendai Buddhism. This podcast is a must for everyone interested in Reiki.
Reverend Prosser also talks about:
- What Tendai is and its origins
- The intimate relationship between teacher and student
- Comparisons between Reiki rituals and Tendai rituals
- Kanjo, an esoteric Tendai practice which may relate to the system of Reiki
- Go Shimbo, a Japanese esoteric rite, with similarities to reiju (early form of Reiki attunement)
- Why you cannot study Tendai from a book (kuden)
- Reiki mudras (hand movements) and their similarities in Tendai
- The importance of having a level of understanding and experience before practicing techniques such as kuji kiri
- The three Tendai factors that create a spiritual resonance with mudras
- Japan during the turbulence of the early 1900s, the Meiji Restoration
- What a true spiritual teacher requires to “get it right”
- Maintaining compassion and your spiritual practice while living in the “real” world
- Healing practices in Tendai Buddhism
Reverend Prosser has a book coming out about his experiences in the Tendai seminary called “Trekking through Hell to Find Heaven”.
Visit Reverend Prosser’s website here: Tendai Lotus Teachings. Here is also more information about mudras and Tendai practices from Reverend Jion Prosser’s website.
Rev. Prosser talks about our reiju podcast. If you’re interested in finding out about it please read or listen to “Everything About Reiju” here.
Bronwen and Frans Stiene are the co-founders of the International House of Reiki and co-authors of The Reiki Sourcebook, The Japanese Art of Reiki, Your Reiki Treatment, The A-Z of Reiki Pocketbook and the Reiki Techniques Card Deck. Bronwen and Frans teach in the USA, Europe and Australia. Visit the Courses page to find a course near you.