I was asked this question recently by a newcomer to Reiki systems. Apparently there is misinformation that this can occur. I can only speculate that this is coming from sources such as "sin-eaters" or certain shamanic practitioners who remove karmic debt from others by taking it  on personally and resolving it.

This cannot occur with Reiki in any way I can determine. A practitioner cannot "take on" on be contaminated so to speak by the karma of the receiver of the Reiki.

1. Karmic debt is personal. It is a "lesson plan" of sorts pointing that soul toward what they should focus on while incarnate in this lifetime. No one gets credit for doing anyone else's homework.

2.  When doing a Reiki session the practitioner should shield and protect both involved from external energetic influence. The practioner is a channel for the reiki energy to flow through. The energy may heal the practitioner as well as the client in the process.

3. Reiki energy follows laws of quantum entrainment, It flows only one way... from the stronger vibration (practitioner) to the weaker energy vibration (the recipient).

4. At session end, both are grounded and energetic connection is cut. From that point only the remaining Reiki energy continues working in both involved.

5, A Reiki Master CAN use advanced techniques to assist the client with Reiki to resolve and abate their on karmic issues, but such work does not act like a contagion or contaminent. Karma is identity-locked informational field, not an energy tat can be transferred.

Remember the key point of Reiki, the healer does not heal... only channels Reiki energy to the recipient. It is the recipient that heals themself with that Reiki energy.

Anyone else want to expand or add insight feel free!

-Namaste!