PATRONS OF AMIDA TRUST
Notable public figures who have given their support and approval to the work being done by the Amida sangha.
Mary Midgeley, philosopher of ethics, author
Prof. Alfred Bloom, leading writer on Pureland Buddhism
Prof. Kenneth Tanaka, president of the International Association for Shin Buddhist Studies
Rev. Koyo Kubose, founder of Bright Dawn and the Kubose Legacy (in honour of his pioneering father who was also a patron of Amida Trust)
Joan Court, social campaigner
Bennett Dorrence Jnr., Founder of New Moon Foundation, philanthropist
Prof Paul Knitter, Catholic liberation theologist
Rev. Jim Pym, founder of the Pure Land Buddhist Fellowship
Ken Jones, leading author on socially engatged Buddhism
Thuy & Michael Fujimoto, philanthopists


AFFILIATIONS
World Buddhist University
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Institute for Spirituality, Religion and Public Life
Leicester Council of Faiths

THE AMIDA ORDER
The Amida Order has ordained and lay members and among the ordained there are amitaryas (& novices) and ministers (& ganko-sha). In each of these categories there is an option to follow a celibate or a non-celibate life. There is no difference between the ordination of women and men. Those preparing to become novices are called postulants and those preparing to be ganko-sha, aspirants.

In addition the Order is structured into three convocations.

There are currently four Amida houses (The Buddhist House ['TBH'], Narborough, Leicestershire, UK; Sukhavati, Finsbury Park, London; Amida France ['AFr'], Cher, France; Amida Delhi, India) and local groups in a number of other locations.

FIRST CONVOCATION
Dharmavidya David Brazier, head of the order, amitarya;
Prasada Caroline Brazier, acharya, amitarya;
Modgala Duguid, acharya, amitarya;
Sujatin Johnson, acharya, minister;
Susthama Kim, amitarya;
Sundari Gina Clayton, ganko;
Bhaktika Mike Fitter, ganko;
Sahishnu Joy Marston, ganko;
Joan McCann, lay member;
Madrakara Matthew Albiges, aspirant, lay member;
Leo Kouwenhoven, lay member;

SECOND CONVOCATION
Kaspalita Thompson, novice;
Sumaya Budkovska, novice
Sudana Edwards, lay member;
Tony Danford, aspirant, lay member

THIRD CONVOCATION
Vimalashri Yaakov Matri, ganko
Pundarika Orna Matri, ganko
Kuvalaya Abel, ganko

DEPLOYMENT OF ORDAINED ORDER MEMBERS
Dharmavidya at The Buddhist House
Prasada at The Buddhist House
Modgala: at Sukhavati
Susthama: TBH
Sujatin: Amida Sanctuary, Newcastle upon Tyne
Kaspalita: TBH
Sundari: Amida Sheffield
Bhaktika: Amida Sheffield
Sahishnu: Derbyshire/India
Sumaya: TBH
Pundarika Israel
Vimalashri Israel
Kuvalaya Newcastle upon Tyne


OFFICERS
Head of the Order: Dharmavidya
Secretary to the Order: Madrakara
Registrar: Tony Danford
Archivist: Susthama
Peacemaker: Bhaktika

DEPARTMENTS
Religious Vocations: Dharmavidya
Psychology & Education: Prasada
Social Engagement: Modgala
Editor of Running Tide: Susthama
Legal: Sundari
Community Leader at TBH Sumaya

AMIDA-SHU MEMBERSHIP
How one becomes a member of Amida-shu. If you need help understanding any of the following, do ask:
Step One: Start practising.
Step Two: Subscribe to Amida-kai
Step Three: Take refuge.
Step Four: Ask for a mentor
Step Five: Practise, preferrably with others, for at least a year. Stay in communication with your mentor and with other members of the Order.
Step Six: An ordained order member will put your name forward at Conclave, a meeting held in September or October each year, to propose you as a member of Amida-shu. When Conclave has agreed a list of proposed new members, it is communicated to the existing members of Amida-shu who have an opportunity to comment.
Step Seven: In November letters of invitation are sent out to prospective new members. They are also each allotted a mentor if they do not already have one.
Step Eight: When you reply positively to your letter, a time and place will be agreed for a ceremony of admittance. This may be at an Amida Centre or in your local sangha.
Step nine: Admission Ceremony.
Step Ten: Membership must be confirmed in a further ceremony within eighteen months of first joining. After this one is known as a confirmed member.

ORDER MEMBERSHIP
There are two ways in which people become members of the Order.
First Method: Members of Amida-shu who have taken important responsibilities in ministry, organization or service may be invited.
Second Method: Persons who have been trainees (see below) may ordain.

BECOMING A TRAINEE
Step One: Come and stay for a few months at The Buddhist House
Step Two: If, after you have been resident for long enough for it to be apparent, it is recognized that you have the commitment to be a trainee, you will be invited to become a postulant or aspirant.
Step Three: At least one year after coming to TBH, usually at the Bodhi Retreat in December, a postulant may ordain as a novice, an aspirant may ordain as a chaplain.
Step Four: Novitiate usually lasts three year after which one is confirmed as an amitarya. Being a chaplain is for an indefinite period. Chaplains who establish a full time ministry role may be invited to ordination as ministers.

TWO PURELAND SUTRAS
The most important scriptural text in Pureland Buddhism

PROVISIONS FOR STRUCTURE, CONTINUITY & GOVERNANCE
The principal constitutional document of Ammida-shu

THE AMIDA ORDER RULEPrecepts for ordained members of the Order

Nien Fo Book
Amida-shu's Chanting/Service book.