My parents had a very difficult time conceiving a child. After four years, they finally became pregnant with my older sister. After her birth, they resigned to only having one child. Then in February, 1981, my grandfather passed away. Very shortly after his death, my parents were surprised to discover that they were pregnant with me. My dad would joke that I was the reincarnation of my grandfather. 

 

My grandfather, Takao Masuoka, was born on October 17, 1908 in Hiroshima, Japan. Although his parents were farmers, my grandfather decided to dedicate his life to the the philosophy of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Attending Ryukoku University, he became a Buddhist minister and was given the Buddhist name of Ryuei. In 1938, he married my grandmother, Tomeyo,  and their first child was soon born. In 1939, the main Buddhist church in Kyoto, Japan sent my grandfather to Los Angeles as a missionary. Throughout his career, my grandparents had seven children - six girls and one boy. The golden son is my dad. The Masuoka clan moved to various cities starting in Brawley, CA.  World War II began, and my grandfather was sent to Santa Fe, NM.  He was considered a potential agitator along other community leaders such as doctors, lawyers and community leaders.  Then he was assigned to a concentration camp in Bismarck, ND.  My grandmother and oldest aunt were sent to a relocation camp in Poston, AZ.  My grandmother was pregnant at the time, and my second aunt was born in the camp.  When the war ended my grandfather was reunited with his family in Poston. When they were released from the camp, they were assigned to the Glendale/Phoenix, AZ Buddhist Church, and then they were sent to the Ogden, UT Buddhist Church.

 

In 1959, my family’s immigration story came to full circle when my grandfather was assigned back to Los Angeles where he had originally started. He was promoted to Fuku Rimban (Vice Bishop) in 1959 and finally to Rimban (Bishop) in 1962.  He spent his remaining career in Los Angeles, ending his time at the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple where he retired in 1980.

 

My grandfather was well-respected and loved by his sangha or community. He was extremely charismatic and could make his congregation laugh or cry with his sermons. He was truly dedicated to spreading and practicing the teachings of the Buddha. 

 

Although I have often regretted never meeting my grandfather, I feel lucky to have inherited his spirituality. Reiki is not a religious practice or attached to any specific religion, so in that way we’re different. However, we both share the desire to further human mindfulness and advance along the journey to enlightenment. I also like to think that maybe my grandmother had reiki intuition herself. When my sister and I would have stomachaches as children, my dad would lay his hand on our bellies which would magically relieve our pain. He always said that was what his mother would do when he and his sisters would get sick. So, as a tribute to both my grandparents and my grandfather’s life’s mission, my business is named Rimban Reiki. I hope through Rimban Reiki, I can carry on his practice of love, compassion and mindfulness, and touch many lives as he did.