The Friends of Amida Order Network is sponsored by Amida Trust.

March 2009 Blog Posts (26)

Amida Delhi - Namo Amitabh!

Dear All,

The work that you have lauched, here in India (Amida Delhi) is going on very smoothly, and we are determined to carry your business on. It is very benificial and useful for everybody who will adpot it and stick to it

May you all live long and happy lives.

Namo Amitabh!

Added by Madan Mohan on March 30, 2009 at 14:28 — 3 Comments

Visitors from 'the Mother Ship'

It was delightful to have a visit yesterday afternoon from Dharmavidya and Prasada, who are taking a much needed short break to the Newcastle area, visiting two of Prasada's adult children. We sat and drank Pu Ehr tea in the morning room, I had a short tutorial on using Ustream, which can be used on a Mac (I'm an Apple fan) with a little fiddling....it's on my 'to do' list. I was able to run them into the city, to Northumbria University, where they met Gavin, the Anglican, co-ordinating,… Continue

Added by Sujatin on March 28, 2009 at 11:54 — 2 Comments

The land of eternal sunshine

Lots of wonderful things have happened since the last time I wrote anything here, and emotionally I've been up and down as well - feeling quite homesick this week, perhaps triggered by mothers day, and then by reading about all the things you are all doing on here.

There have been a few struggles around communicating with different people here, mainly just down to language issues, I think, and some down to my assumptions about the culture, and people's assumptions about me - and how… Continue

Added by Kaspalita on March 27, 2009 at 5:30 — 3 Comments

Majnu Ka Tilla

In the sun blackened crook of her arm
there is a child
her sari, like its eyes
has faded to grey
the baby cries quietly
like a starving dog
it begs for food with its eyes
please, sir, rupee?
mother holds out her hand
please, sir, baby...

dust and the smell of open latrines
collect around them
as they walk past fat monks
reciting mantras

Added by Kaspalita on March 27, 2009 at 4:50 — 2 Comments

Daily Practice

I have been asked, what practice should one do daily as a follower of Amida-shu?

The simple answer to this is: say the nembutsu.

Many people do, however, like to have a routine. The important first thing to realise is that any such routine or ritual is what we call 'auxiliary practice'. In Buddhism, there is no magic in ritual. Shakyamuni taught us to do rituals in a good spirit and not to think that they have magic power. Ritual is celebratory. When Ananda asked… Continue

Added by Dharmavidya on March 25, 2009 at 14:05 — 6 Comments

I couldn’t possibly do that, I’d feel too guilty!

I couldn’t possibly do that, I’d feel too guilty!

How often have you heard someone say something of this kind, or even said it yourself? To listen to people’s reactions, you’d think that feeling guilty was the worst thing that could happen to a person. Indeed, since I started writing on the topic, I’ve come to realise that guilt has become one of the great taboos of our time. Talking about sex and death are positively popular by comparison.

The late twentieth… Continue

Added by caroline brazier on March 23, 2009 at 20:30 — 2 Comments

Three Fundamentals

We say that there are three fundamental teachings in Amida-shu:

The threefold nature of Buddha

The twofold nature of the practicer

The singular nature of the practice.

The Buddha is the object of refuge and source of grace in three ways: as absolute truth, as spiritual presence and as physical manifestation.

The practicer is 'bombu' in being fallible and vulnerable.

The practice is singular in that nembutsu encompasses all.

Taking refuge in Buddha… Continue

Added by Dharmavidya on March 22, 2009 at 15:24 — 1 Comment

emptyness and new creation

let the sun come in

Added by foto-SH on March 18, 2009 at 12:11 — 2 Comments

the shadow of the past

yesterday i upload a photo about shadows
at night an old photo from my brother fell in my hands .. he died 2006 .because he was infected by aids..
during his dying i was there and felt shadows who guided me ..

so lets blow away all shadows away
and look what we do next ..
be well andrea

Added by foto-SH on March 17, 2009 at 7:30 — 1 Comment

GUILT DISCUSSION GROUP

I've set up the first of a series of discussion threads on Guilt. This is done as part of a facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=10251&post=54080&uid=4840049117#/event.php?eid=56870559110

If you wish to bring the discussion to ning, please use the GUILT thead on the books group.

Added by caroline brazier on March 16, 2009 at 10:00 — 2 Comments

Perceiving the Unconditioned

In the Dhaatu section of the Samyutta Nikaya (SN II 14), Shakyamuni explains: "According to the form perceived, so the reaction. According to the reaction, so come intentions. According to the intention, so come engagements. According to the engagement so the entrancement. And so the desire, the passion, and the quest, and, ultimately, according to the quest, so the gain." He also says that "It is in dependence upon the diversity of elements that there arise the diversity of engagements, and… Continue

Added by Dharmavidya on March 16, 2009 at 9:10 — 2 Comments

just in time

its good to come here .. its just in time .. i looking forward soon reading in carolines book when i go on retreat ..
blessings to all who will read this .. love andrea

Added by foto-SH on March 16, 2009 at 8:16 — No Comments

One way to learn a new language is through music

La belle musika - here's a great song called… Continue

Added by Susthama on March 14, 2009 at 12:31 — 2 Comments

Nembutsu & Precepts

Question: Honen Shonin taught us that no matter what one may be doing, do it with the nembutsu. But at times I realize I am doing things that are not in accord with the Buddha way, at such times I feel it wrong to think of amida. So the thought has come to me that I should try to keep precepts,so I can always recite Nembutsu. Do you think it is OK to recite, even though one is in the act of sinning. Or can one see the precepts as an accessory to Nembutsu?… Continue

Added by Dharmavidya on March 14, 2009 at 12:19 — 3 Comments

Indian Weddings (a couple of weeks ago)

I've had this sitting on my computer for a little while, whilst I was waiting to get online, which I finally am. A great deal has happened since the weddings that I write a little about below. We have had many wonderful Buddhist classes, which although I Ied - only happen with the help and cooperation of many different people here, services here at the flat and out in the community, including the wonderful refuge and shu-membership ceremony which I'll write more about later.

I've a… Continue

Added by Kaspalita on March 13, 2009 at 6:09 — 2 Comments

Buddhist Psychology Lecture by Reverend Roy Imamura – Hilo Hawaii, March 7, 2009

Buddhist Psychology Lecture by Reverend Roy Imamura

– Hilo Hawaii, March 7, 2009

This past Saturday I was privileged to attend a lecture on Buddhist Psychology given at the Hilo Hongwanji Temple. The talk was presented by Reverend Roy Imamura, who holds a Doctorate in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of San Francisco, and is an instructor in Buddhist Psychology at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. The local ministers from the… Continue

Added by Steve Berkoff on March 11, 2009 at 9:30 — 2 Comments

Searching for Spiritual Roots, Trying to Balance Different Practices, and Asking for Help

I'm wondering lately if in order for me to move forward spiritually I need to find one path to root myself in, or if it's better to actually give up on trying to find one path or set of ideas and practices that I can believe in completely. The truth is, I've found truth and beauty in a variety of traditions, from Tibetan Buddhist to Congregationalist Christian to Pure Land Buddhism to Theravadan Buddhist to Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Buddhism to Toni Packer's non-sectarian Zen-influenced practice. I… Continue

Added by Ben Ross on March 9, 2009 at 18:30 — 12 Comments

Debate

At Amida-shu we have always stressed the value of clear thought and constructive discussion. I came across the following on another forum. It is concerned with dialectics. You might find it interesting.

"Dialectics (or dialectical method) is a method of argument or debate, one which has been central to both Eastern and Western philosophy since ancient times.

"The word "dialectic" originates in Ancient Greece, and was made popular by Plato's Socratic dialogues. Dialectic is… Continue

Added by Dharmavidya on March 8, 2009 at 20:21 — 4 Comments

namo amida bu my name is prakash and today is the biggest day of my life i think.well i took refuge in amida,and i was really exited and scarred too but when i took refuge i am feeling happy from th…

namo amida bu

my name is prakash and today is the biggest day of my life i think.well i took refuge in amida,and i was really exited and scarred too but when i took refuge i am feeling happy from that moment.well i hope i will do as much as i can for this project and for this comunnity.now i'm a hindu buddhist but i was born as a hindu.thanks to sahishnu and kasper to help me.
namo amida bu
prakash Continue

Added by prakash nagar on March 8, 2009 at 14:11 — 7 Comments

What does passion for peace mean to you?

I have this feeling in my heart, this drive which is difficult to define or quantify.....but it's there all the time. I call it passion for peace. It is more than altruism or compassion or nonviolence.

Recently I've discovered that when the English language of my Western culture fails to provide words to articulate such feelings, then I look to the East for inspiration and fulfillment.

For example, there are no adequate Western translations for the beautiful concepts of… Continue

Added by Gordon J Millar on March 5, 2009 at 20:52 — No Comments

‹ Previous
1
2
Next ›

Featured Blog Posts

View All

Latest Blog Posts

Monthly Archives

2013

May (4)
April (7)
March (5)
February (4)
January (4)

2012

December (4)
November (11)
October (5)
September (6)
August (6)
July (6)
June (11)
May (9)
April (13)
March (19)
February (23)
January (17)

2011

December (20)
November (18)
October (14)
September (10)
August (16)
July (16)
June (17)
May (19)
April (17)
March (9)
February (14)
January (27)

2010

December (41)
November (51)
October (47)
September (38)
August (57)
July (30)
June (18)
May (24)
April (55)
March (73)
February (82)
January (92)

2009

December (18)
November (22)
October (23)
September (22)
August (23)
July (29)
June (18)
May (24)
April (33)
March (27)
February (16)
January (22)

2008

December (24)
November (26)
October (10)
September (5)
August (7)
July (4)
June (7)
May (13)
April (1)

Welcome to
Friends of Amida Order

Sign Up
or Sign In

Events

Click here for up-to-date event details, retreats, workshops and courses:

Amida Events

Forum

Tags: along, with, Nepal, Peace, World

Photos

Spreading Buddhism Conference 2013 at Nagpur (India) on 20-21st July 2013.

by Dr. Milind Jiwane 0 Comments 0 Likes

Who's On This Ning?

Amida Northumbria and Scotland
Amida North
Amida Midlands
Amida London
Amida West
Amida Devon & Cornwall
Amida Wales

Amida Europe
Amida Hispanic World
Amida Canada
Amida USA
Amida Africa
Amida Middle East
Amida South Asia
Amida Orient
Amida Australasia

Badge

Loading…

Get Badge

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service

1	Profound consolation
2	Walk-on Parts and Spear Carriers
3	Vow 22 Recommended Reading
4	catching faith
5	Spreading Buddhism Conference 2013 at Nagpur(India) on 20-21st July 2013.