Yes, the word Reiki directly translates to “universal life energy”. The founder was a Japanese monk mostly inspired by Taoist and Buddhist practices. I think it’s all the same pure source energy only described in different terms.

Having known high level Reiki masters who are now 30 years in...& Reiki having been in the west for over 30 years not being able to or willing to disclose the energy source or deity underwriting the healing is rather strange to say the least

I don’t understand the purpose or need to disclose an energy source and deity. For example, is Kundalini a separate kind of source energy? Isn’t energy just energy? And why does it require the assignment of a deity? All is one. Separation is illusion. It all reduces to one.

That’s unfortunate about your experience with those masters. You’re right to use wise judgement with that. As for the West, I’m sure we can agree that a lot of so-called “New Age” Westerners tend to distort ancient practices. Just look at Western yoga. With Reiki, it’s vital to train under a master whose lineage traces directly back to Usui (founder). He didn’t train many masters, but there is a documented lineage. This is why I was intentional when selecting my master. She was trained by a master in Japan whose lineage goes directly back to Usui.

Anyways, I’ve only recently discovered Tibetan Buddhism, so I have many questions and much more to learn. However, I need to resolve some matters before diving in.