This is the website for the international network of Friends of Amida, supporters of the work of the Amida Trust and of the Amida Order based at
Sukhavati
21 Sussex Way
LONDON
N7 6RT
+44-(0)207 2632 183
Please do participate actively - join groups, add to discussions, message one another, make friends, start new things. Don't be shy - this is a wonderful group of people, inspired by love - a happy place. Namo Amida Bu.
Dos and Don'ts
Ordinary internet standards of courtesy apply. The general feeling of this site is loving and sharing so please don't spoil it. In particular please don't use the site for soliciting money or sexual favours or that sort of thing. This is a place for sharing about Pureland Buddhism, faith, spirituality, and the good life and making friends.
Sending personal messages to other members
Click on a members name to visit their homepage, and then look underneath their profile picture for 'send message'. To read you own messages look underneath your name on the right of this page.
Making friends with other members
Go to "Members" and find people, click their icons, read their profiles, invite them as friends; or, go down this column to the listing of members by region to find people in your own part of the world.
Join in Discussions
Visit "Groups", join some, take part in discussions
What is Amida-shu
Amida-shu is a spiritual community, an international network of people bound together by a consciouness of "Amida", of the spirit of love and truth at work in the world in the midst of ordinary, fallible beings like ourselves. Beyond this it does not require any particular form of belief or doctrine or theory. Amidists have a practice of calling the Name of Amida. In addition to this, you do not have to meditate or pray or adopt any particular practices, though you can if you want to.
Amidism is not a way of achieving anything. It is, rather a celebration and a communion. Amidists are not necessarily virtuous or wise or accomplished. We are simply people who celebrate the spiritual presence, each in his or her own way, yet together. Amidists often practice in groups, but practice can vary from group to group. Amidists are creative. We like rituals, but we do not cling to one particular form - the spirit can be celebrated in many ways.
Amidists appreciate the whole range of mystical heritage, irrespective of which religion it comes from. Although we are most closely associated with the tradition of Pureland Buddhism, we understand this vehicle as a generic spirituality and appreciate the wisdom of all those who have transmitted direct knowledge of the Spirit down the ages.
Learn More
Consult the articles in "Notes" lower in this column. There is also a section of Foundational Texts
on this page (bottom right). Many interesting papers are to be found in the Forum and in Blogs, especially Dharmavidya's blog.
And remember to invite people you know who might be interested to join this network.
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Friends of Amida: Blogs, discussion groups, photographs, video and audio teachings - Come talk about Culturally Engaged Buddhism.
Created by caroline brazier Nov 14, 2011 at 12:51pm. Last updated by caroline brazier Nov 14, 2011.
Created by Jnañamati Oct 23, 2011 at 12:28pm. Last updated by Jnañamati Oct 23, 2011.
Created by caroline brazier Oct 10, 2011 at 10:50pm. Last updated by caroline brazier Oct 10, 2011.
Created by Jnañamati Jun 24, 2010 at 7:01pm. Last updated by Jnañamati Jun 24, 2010.
Created by Dharmavidya Aug 12, 2009 at 6:29pm. Last updated by Dharmavidya Aug 12, 2009.
Created by Kaspalita Apr 7, 2009 at 4:16pm. Last updated by Kaspalita Apr 7, 2009.
Created by Dharmavidya Nov 6, 2008 at 10:35am. Last updated by Dharmavidya Nov 6, 2008.
Created by Dharmavidya Jul 19, 2008 at 5:01pm. Last updated by Dharmavidya Jul 19, 2008.
Created by Dharmavidya Jul 19, 2008 at 1:17pm. Last updated by Dharmavidya Jul 19, 2008.
Created by Kaspalita Apr 28, 2008 at 6:02pm. Last updated by Dharmavidya May 25, 2008.
Katrien Sercu and Fiona Robyn become Order members, Sumaya becomes a full amitarya, and Kaspalita becomes a minister.
Jnanamati is in Delhi you can read his blog here
New Development at Amida Trust
For information on Psychotherapy Training Programmes run by Amida Trust with David Brazier see: Institute for Zen Therapy
For information about Tariki Trust's Amida Psychotherapy Training Programme with Caroline Brazier please see: www.tarikitrust.org
| Read the latest Running Tide | ||
| Visit the Institute for Zen Therapy site, home of the Amida Trust psychotherapy programme | ||
| Link to our most recent audio broadcasts | ||
| Find other members | ||
Shantikara Franco Acquaro, president of Amida USA, with his teacher Dharmavidya David Brazier, head of the Amida Order, together in Waimea, Hawaii, October 2011 (picture by Steve Berkoff) |
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| TAKE THE FREE ONLINE INTRODUCTORY COURSE 16 lessons guide you from Basic Buddhism to a deeper understanding of the Pureland Tradition. Click here to start |
VISIT SUKHAVATI 21 Sussex Way LONDON N7 6RT +44-(0)207 2632 183 |
ASK FOR A MENTOR Ask Susthama to put you in touch with one of the members of the Amida Order. E-mail susthama@amidatrust.com |
| SUPPORT AMIDA TRUST Use the Paypal facility on this page to make a donation and become a member of Amida-kai (Amida support association). We try to do as much as we can all around the world for free if at all possible, and this means that your support goes a looooooong way. | FIND BOOKS WRITTEN BY MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY Go to Members Books
Buy Books online at the Amida Amazon Portal |
INVITE AMIDA TEACHERS We do our best to go wherever we are invited so long as enough events and activity are generated to pay the travel costs. If you would like to organise a visit to your country or region e-mail Dharmavidya directly. |
| CHANGE YOUR LIFE COMPLETELY Train. Volunteer. Join a community. Follow a Buddhist vocation. Everything is possible - enquire |
STUDY BUDDHIST MINISTRY Follow the Vow 22 Buddhist Theology programme on-line.
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MAIN ANNUAL AMIDIST FESTIVAL & MEMORIAL DAYS
January 25th Honen Day
Anniversary of death of Honen Shonin; 25th Jan 2011 will be the 800th Anniversary
February 8th Nirvana Day: Anniversary of Death of Shakyamuni Buddha
March 19th Anniversary of Death of Gisho Saiko
March 21st Paramita Day
March 26th Anniversary of Death of Amrita Dhammika
March 29th Anniversary of Death of Gyomay Kubose
May 15th Anniversary of Death of Irene Brazier
April 8th Buddha's Birthday
August 15th Obon: Ancestor Day. Hungry Ghost Feeding Festival
September 21st Paramita Day
December 8th Enlightenment Day
PLACES WHERE AMIDA PURELAND SERVICES ARE HELD
Amida at Sukhavati contact Sumaya
Amida London at Sukhavati contact Modgala
Amida Newcastle contact Sujatin
Amida Sheffield contact Sundari or Bhaktika
Malvern Sangha contact Kaspalita or Fiona
Delhi contact Sahishnu
Israel contact Vimalashri or Pundarika
London, Ontario Amida Mosaic Sangha
Hawaii, Waimea contact Shantikara
Malawi, Blantyre contact Helen
Tariki Trust:
Amida France and The Buddhist House contact Caroline Brazier
http://amidatrust.typepad.com/tbh/welcome.html
http://amidatrust.typepad.com/france/
Regional Groups
Join one or start a new one...
* Down Under * South Africa * Brazil * Indian Subcontinent
* Middle East * Hawaii * Ontario* British Columbia* United States* Mundo Espanol* Leicester* London* South West* Newcastle* Shefffield* Malvern* Benelux* Amidismo Italia* Tariki Trust at Amida France*
New One?
Theme Groups
Places to develop interests, advance ideas and make friends. Brown indicates most recent groups.
Sunday Service Dharma Talks: Transcripts of some of the most recent talks available in the Pureland Buddhism Group

Posted by Dharmavidya on January 27, 2012 at 8:28pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Sahishnu Joy Marston on January 24, 2012 at 12:35pm 2 Comments 4 Likes
Posted by Gerald Beeck on January 24, 2012 at 9:47am 2 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Christopher Stewart on January 21, 2012 at 5:38pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Thomas Myojo Radcliffe on January 18, 2012 at 11:30pm 1 Comment 1 Like
Posted by Sally Fisher on January 18, 2012 at 9:58am 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by richard meyers on January 10, 2012 at 9:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Adrian Philip Debney (Kalyanaka) on January 8, 2012 at 10:27pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Susthama on January 7, 2012 at 1:30pm 3 Comments 4 Likes
Posted by Kay Mitchell on January 5, 2012 at 3:30pm 1 Comment 2 Likes
Posted by Richard Ollier on January 3, 2012 at 8:52pm 7 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Adrian Philip Debney (Kalyanaka) on January 2, 2012 at 9:55pm 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by Maitrisimha Kouwenhoven on December 31, 2011 at 1:18pm 9 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by Maria Chippendale on December 26, 2011 at 8:05pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Christopher Stewart on December 26, 2011 at 5:47am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Katrien Sercu on December 24, 2011 at 10:22am 2 Comments 3 Likes
Posted by Katrien Sercu on December 22, 2011 at 3:58pm 2 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by Sumaya on December 18, 2011 at 10:25pm 13 Comments 5 Likes
Posted by caroline brazier on December 17, 2011 at 7:30pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Sujatin on December 16, 2011 at 9:36am 1 Comment 1 Like
Started by Thomas Myojo Radcliffe in Buddhist Teaching. Last reply by Thomas Myojo Radcliffe Jan 19. 4 Replies 0 Likes
On the one hand there is our conditioning or whatever one might call the irresistible personality traits which seem to cause so much trouble - on the other there is that eternal transcendent…Continue
Started by Sujatin in Buddhist Psychology, Education & Pastoral Care. Last reply by caroline brazier Jan 19. 12 Replies 0 Likes
What is your perspective on the recent growth of Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy. Is it valid to use Buddhist techniques therapeutically? Is to do so undermining of Buddhism per se?:The patient sat…Continue
Tags: meditation, buddhism, therapy
Started by Thomas Myojo Radcliffe in Social, Political & Economic Issues Jan 18. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I think it is time that socially engaged Buddhists did something to support the protesters in Parliament square.Perhaps we should go and bow. Perhaps we could do this individually but also maybe have…Continue
Started by Dr Di in Buddhist Teaching. Last reply by Thomas Myojo Radcliffe Jan 18. 17 Replies 0 Likes
the Buddha taught by discreet and expedient means. he often spoke in metaphors. how then can we take the idea of the pureland of Amitaba literally, when on the level of ultimate truth there are no…Continue
February 11, 2012 from 11am to 4pm – Amida London Buddhist Centre
0 Comments 1 LikeMarch 3, 2012 from 9:30am to 4:30pm – Sukhavati (Amida London)
3 Comments 2 LikesMarch 3, 2012 at 6pm to March 4, 2012 at 7pm – The Buddhist House
4 Comments 2 LikesMarch 3, 2012 from 7pm to 9:30pm – Sukhavati (Amida London)
2 Comments 1 LikeMarch 4, 2012 from 9:30am to 4pm – Sukhavati (Amida London)
1 Comment 3 LikesPATRONS 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 (& gankonin). 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 gankonin, aspirants.
In addition the Order is structured into three convocations.
There are currently three Amida houses: Sukhavati, Finsbury Park, London, UK; 4 Desford Road, Narborough, Leicestershire, UK; Amida Delhi, India and local groups in a number of other locations.
FIRST CONVOCATION
Dharmavidya David Brazier, head of the order, amitarya;
Modgala Duguid, deputy head of the order, acharya, amitarya;
Sujatin Johnson, acharya, senior minister;
Susthama Kim, amitarya;
Sundari Gina Clayton, minister;
Bhaktika Mike Fitter, minister;
Sahishnu Joy Marston, minister;
Jayata Joan McCann, lay member;
Maitrisimha Leo Kouwenhoven, lay member;
SECOND CONVOCATION
Kaspalita Thompson, Minister;
Sudana Edwards, lay member;
Padmaghosa Tony Danford, ganko;
Sumaya Budkovska, Amitarya
Jnañamati Williams, novice
Aramati Zee-Zee Heine, gankonin;
Kusumavarsa Dawn Hart, gankonin;
Katrien Sercu, lay member;
Fiona Robyn, lay member
THIRD CONVOCATION
Vimalashri Yaakov Matri, gankonin
Pundarika Orna Matri, gankonin
Kuvalaya Abel, gankonin
Prajnatara Bryant, gankonin
Shantikara Acquaro, gankonin
DEPLOYMENT OF ORDAINED ORDER MEMBERS
Dharmavidya: at Sukhavati
Modgala: at Sukhavati
Susthama: TBH
Sujatin: Amida Sanctuary, Newcastle upon Tyne
Kaspalita: Amida Malvern
Sundari: Amida Sheffield
Bhaktika: Amida Sheffield
Sahishnu: Derbyshire/India
Sumaya: Sukhavati
Pundarika Israel
Vimalashri Israel
Kuvalaya Costa Rica
Prajnatara Canada
Jnanamati Sukhavati
Shantikara Hawai'i
OFFICERS
Head of the Order: Dharmavidya (London)
Deputy Head of the Order: Modgala Duguid (London)
Jisha: Sumaya Budkovska (London)
Secretary to the Order: Kuvalaya Abel (Costa Rica)
Registrar: Prajnatara Bryant (London Ontario)
Archivist: Jnanamati Williams (London)
Peacemaker: Susthama Kim (Watford)
DEPARTMENTS
Religious Vocations, Psychology & Education: Dharmavidya
Social Engagement and Interfaith: Modgala
Ministry: Sujatin
Vow 22: Kaspalita
Editor of Running Tide: Susthama
Community Leader Sumaya
TARIKI TRUST Psychology & Education: Caroline
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 Sukhavati
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 Sukhavati, usually at the Bodhi Retreat in December, a postulant may ordain as a novice, an aspirant may ordain as a gankonin.
Step Four: Novitiate usually lasts three year after which one is confirmed as an amitarya. Being a gankonin is for an indefinite period. Gankonin 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 Amida-shu
THE AMIDA ORDER RULE
Precepts for ordained members of the Order
Nien Fo Book
Amida-shu's Chanting/Service book.
...and a useful introduction
START CHANTING The basic practice of Pureland is to chant the nembutsu, usually in the form, Namo Amida Bu the invocation of the unconditional love of Amida Buddha. Start straight away. No special intellectual understanding is needed.
© 2012 Created by Kaspalita.
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