Amida Network

Burma Peace Vigil

Today at 2pm, Members of Amida Trust, led by Sr. Susthama held a vigil for peace in Leicester City Centre, they were joined by leading figures from other faith communities, each lending their support. Members of faith groups and the general public joined in walking mediation, and offered incense.

The vigil was well reported by the press, including Central News and the BBC

Thousands of people across the UK took to the streets to support a pro-democracy Burma, including 3000 people in central London.

Response to Burmese situation

As members of Amida Trust we are deeply concerned at current reports emerging from Burma. As Buddhists we are committed to ways of peace and non-harm and are distressed by reports of violence and injury towards members of the Burmese Buddhist sangha and others who are peacefully demonstrating for change and democracy in that country. We call upon all who are likewise committed to act with compassion, show decisive leadership with other like minded nations to support peaceful change and an end to this terrible situation.

Ninety Five People Meet Amida

This weekend's Introduction to Amida-Shu course marks the beginning of our training term, a time for consolidation, for returning home, and for telling people what we've been doing in our projects across the globe.

On Friday evening we held our Meet Amida event, in Narborough, this was an outreach to our local community here in Leciestershire. It was wonderful to see so many of the local community in attendance, we had members of other faith groups present, as well as people representing socially engaged groups, and  it was wonderful to be be joined by one of our patrons, Joan Court.

Trustee and Amida-shu member Tony Stellmacher Emceed the occasion, introducing speakers which celebrated the  many aspects of the Trust work, and inspiring and moving readings from Prasada and Dharmavidya's new books The Other Buddhism and Who Loves Dies Well.

A bounty of wonderful food had been produced by Sr. Susthama for the event, and the whole evening was set to the backdrop of the beautiful music of Ling Peng, from The Chinese Whisper Ensemble.

"I had a wonderful evening...I can't believe how many good things you do"

Reverend Gyosei Handa

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Reverend Gyosei Handa, chief monk at Nippon zan Miohoji Buddhist temple in Milton Keynes.

Sr. Susthama attended the Funeral Sunday, 26th August, with Sudana and Alec.  Susthama has posted a tribute to Ven. Handa on her weblog, Beyond The Clouds.

Prasada and Dharmavidya to give teachings at Esalen 2008

Dharmavidya David Brazier and Prasada Caroline Brazier are to give a five day seminar on Buddhist Psychology at Esalen Jan 27th Feb 1st 2008

Esalen is a place with a global reach. It is a place, as Thomas Wolfe said about America, where miracles not only happen but where they happen all the time.

See http://www.buddhistpsychology.info/ for more information on the Psychology programme, or email courses@Amidatrust.com

Sucessful Summer Teachings and Arts Period. 2007

The community in France recently returned to The Buddhist House in Narborough, after a wonderful arts retreat, and highly successful summer teachings, in which Rev. Dharmavidya delivered a series of talks on Buddhist Theology (see our new study programme), the senchaku and spiritual maturity among other things.

tile, bamboo, flower, painted art installations now  scatter the surrounding land of the amida france...  each speaking to the undercurrent of our creative potential -  spiraling, reaching, flowering,  holding and exploding us toward the unspoken and revealing what is  present..
The Amida France Weblog

Summer Festival Tour

Sr. Modgala has briefly returned to the Buddhist house for a couple of days in between touring the UK festival scene as part of her outreach work. 

Modgala, assisted by Sudhana began the tour at Buddhafield, Modgala writes:

“Mud glorious mud” the song goes! But the sun shone a little too and in our new tent we stayed mostly dry. It stayed upright too during some wild winds that shook it from side to side before the onslaught of some of the fiercest rains. It was just large enough to hold our display board and a few bodies so our recruitment continued.

Sudhana spent time raising awareness about the Chakma people and, by all accounts, was very well received.

Modgala has most recently returned from Solfest, where she had a tent in the healing field, reaching out, and raising awareness, and gave a talk to over 100 people.

The next festival on the tour is the Ragged Edge Fair, this weekend in Cirencester, where Modgala will be assisted by Gareth.

July 2007: Paul Knitter becomes Amida Patron.

We are delighted to announce that Paul Knitter, Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theologial Seminary, New York, has become a patron of the Trust.

Amida London at The Incredible Veggie Show

On 30th June, Cordelia, Madrakara and Willemein were at the Incredible Veggie Show, on behalf of the Amida Trust, promoting the work of the trust and our approach to spirituality.

Madrakara sent back a positive report saying that:

Our overall sense was very positive – we got an overwhelmingly good response
from the people there – people keen to find out about what we do and about Buddhism... Most importantly directly engaged with lots of people about religion, spirituality and what Amida is about.

Summer Teachings Delayed

The start of the French retreat has been delayed. On the 22nd June, Dharmavidya suffered a minor head injury whilst traveling in Cumbira. On return to The Buddhist House he was diagnosed with concussion and prescribed plenty of rest.

He was to have traveled to France for the beginning of the summer retreat, on the 9th July, but this has been rescheduled - it is anticipated Dharmavidya will now travel on the 13th.

Sr. Susthama and a group from The Buddhist House, traveled on the 9th to commence the summer programme and prepare for Dharmavida arrival.  You can contact Sr. Susthama on her usual email address: Susthama@amidatrust.com