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

Dharmavidya & Prasada Travelling

Dharmavidya and Prasada depart Thursday 31 May to attend meetings in Hungary concerned with the future of Buddhist education in Europe and then to go on the the Buddhist Christian Studies Meeting in Austria.

Trustee Meeting

This Sunday, 27th May, the Amida trustees meet. On the agenda will be recent developments including the start of Amida-kai and the Amida Research Institute, the Trust's financial situation and budgat for the coming year, and plans for projects in UK and around the world.

Mailing to Members

Today, 16th May, a mailing went out to all members of Amida Trust with full details of the new developments including the creation of Amida-kai and the Amida Research Institute and inviting participation. Anyone wanting to receive this information should contact mudita@amidatrust.com

Amida-kai

Amida Trust general membership is to be reconfigured as membership of an association to be called Amida-kai. When Amida Trust was formed in 1996 it was not initially envisaged as a membership organisation. However, as soon as it was in existence, people were asking to join and there was no reason to refuse, so a category of geneal membership whereby individuals joined the Trust on payment of a subscription came into being. In 1998, the first steps were taken in creating a structure of religious commitment within the Trust. This led to the ratification of the Amida Order in 2002 and the emergence of Amida-shu in 2006. This successful growth of the religious sangha has established Amida Pureland Buddhism and gven the Amid Trust a stable and committed core community. However, it also pushed "general membership" into a relatively more peripheral position In May 2007, therefore, a restructuring took place. Amida-kai has been established alongside Amida-shu to restore balance to the organisation as a whole and to provide a platform for those Trust members who are not currently following Amida Pureland Buddhism as their practice or primary affiliation, as well as for those who are.

• Membership of Amida Trust is now by membership of either Amida-shu or Amida-kai
• Membership of Amida-kai is by subscription - see application form
• Membership of Amida-shu is by invitation
• An individual can belong to both the Shu and the Kai
• The Kai will primarily focus upon non-liturgical activities - classes, seminars, meetings, workshops, interest groups, campaigns, social and cultural activities, and the support of Amida Trust projects
• Involvement in Amida Trust projects will be open to Shu and Kai members alike.

" April 2007: Koyo Kubose sensei becomes Amida Patron

We are delighted to announce that Rev. Koyo Kubose sensei has become a patron of Amida Trust. A short history of Koyo Sensei follows....

KOYO S. KUBOSE

A Brief Personal History

Koyo S. Kubose was born in Los Angeles, California. He went with his family to World War II camps in Heart Mountain, Wyoming and Poston, Arizona. When his family relocated to Chicago, he attended Ray Elementary School and Hyde Park High School. After attending the University of Illinois, he went on to earn a B.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley; M.A. from San Francisco State University; and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Iowa.

He has been on the psychology faculties at the University of North Carolina (Greensboro), University of Hawaii, and University of Wisconsin Center System (Janesville). He studied Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan, combining studies in Shin Buddhism through the Eastern Buddhist Society at Otani University, with meditation practice at Antaiji Temple with Uchiyama Kosho Roshi of the Soto Zen sect and doing koan training under Kobori Nanrei Roshi of the Rinzai Zen tradition at Ryoko-in, a Daitokuji Temple.

Rev. Koyo joined his father, the Venerable Gyomay M. Kubose, on the ministerial staff at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago from 1983 to 1995 to help further his father’s vision of developing Buddhism in America. In 1996, he established a religious educational organization, BRIGHT DAWN: Institute for American Buddhism, which offers a variety of resources for individual spirituality; such as daily 1-2 minute Dial-the-Dharma taped talks available 24/7, videotape Dharma talk loan program, quarterly newsletter Oneness, telephone TiSarana Buddhist Confirmation Ceremony, two-year Lay Minister training program via audio-conferences, and books by Ven. Gyomay Kubose and Rev. Koyo Kubose. Detailed information is available at www.brightdawn.org.

Rev. Koyo and his late father, the Ven. Gyomay Kubose, have been friends of Amida Trust for many years. Rev. Koyo has helped host Dharmavidya on his trips to the United States, facilitating the offering of workshops and seminars in the Chicago area.

On the Way to Zambia

After a rather frustrating 5 weeks being stationary in Durban.....We experienced the most violent weather at night, we had 3 massive storms come over with fork lightening and thunder claps all around, we all felt a little vulnerable in the temporary shed they have placed there, but very exhilirating !!!! Especially when the lightening hits the ground about 10 yards away!!! I just love it there, James and I both said we could live there, if it wasn't so far from home and all of you.... and it helped us make a decision that we have been rather putting off for some time,

Volunteers Needed

Sr. Modgala writes inviting applications for volunteering in 2007 in Amida projects in various parts of the world.

1st March: Amida France News

During December Modgala and Leo were joined by Sally and they have been doing the intricate and beautiful job of putting up a wood panel ceiling in the upper part of the ecurie. It has been very cold however new wood stoves now offer somewhat warmer accommodation for volunteers and guests. Sally has also been helping Modgala to continue the work on the gardens ready for spring planting. Liz arrived to help but above all produced beautiful music.

1st March: Zambia Latest

Posted bySr. Modgala

News from India Volunteers

Posted by Sr. Mopgala

Zen Therapy to be published in Korea

The book Zen Therapy by Dharmavidya David Brazier is currently being translated into Korean for publication by Hanmaum Science Institute, 101-62 Seoksu-dong Manan-gu, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 430-040

Helping Children, Families and Temples in Vietnam

Amida patron Thuy Fujimoto visited Vietnam in January to discuss plans for continuing sponsorship of community projects.

Three New Patrons

Michael and Thuy Fujimoto and Bennett Dorrance Jnr. have become the newest patrons of the Amida Trust. This important support and affirmation for the work of the Trust is great news for the new year. All three live on the Big Island of Hawaii and have known Dharmavidya and Prasada for many years. During that time they have been wonderfully supportive to the work of the Amida community. Thuy and Bennett are the co-founders of the New Moon Foundation, a philanthropic organisation which supports a wide variety of enterprises for the common good within a framework of engaged Buddhist principles.

Programme of Events

Click here for full programme

Eminent Monk Dies

Ven Vagirangana died on Friday. He was head of London Buddhist Vihara and had been a monk since 1943.

15th December 2006: News from Zambia

Thank you very much for the parcels which you have been sending to us this is being kind as I was without any medicine but I am now pleased. I am happy to hear about the volunteers coming, we are waiting. Sister you can’t believe how the people have changed and I have support from the Chief which has made the community give more support to the project. The cement from Chilanga has come and I was helped by free transport from the ex MP Mr Nyendra after he lost the election. We are starting plastering the community hall this week. I was at the training in Chipata about training donkeys and now I have started training with the involvement of the committee.
Greetings to all
Your John Zulu
Namo Amida Bu

2 December 2006: Volunteers raise £1500 for Zambia

While the retreatants at The Buddhist House chanted the nembutsu all night long, Modgala went to Bristol to a very special event. Two volunteers, Claire and James, are now on their way to Zambia via South Africa bearing the fruits of a wonderful night in a community venue in Bristol. The Amida volunteer training programme was reccommended to Claire by Andy, one of last years volunteers, who had been at the Delhi project in India. Claire and James were enthused by Amida's work in Zambia to do more than offer their services to Tithandizane, hearing the needs, they set up a wonderful music benefit night to raise much needed funds. Much fun was had by all and Modgala nearly lost her voice talking to many of the music lovers about Zambia and Amida's work as the night progressed.

15 December 2007: House Purchase

Today the property group secured possession of number 4 Desford Road making the house available for use by Amida Trust and the Amida-shu. 4 Desford Road is the other half of the building that includes 6 Desford Road the existing annex to The Buddhist House. This thus means that the Trust now has use of the whole building. This is an important expansion and adds five more rooms to our community and guest capacity.

Educating the Poor and Dispossessed in Delhi

A day at Amida Delhi

November 2006: Toxic Childhood Debate

Dharmavidya David Brazier was one of the signatories to the recent letter to the Daily Telegraph that has triggers a welter of comment, enquiry and research into the position of chidlren in contemporary society. The full text of the letter can be found at Toxic Culture and Childhood - The Roehampton Debate.

Khairlanje correspondence

A response to letter on the Khairlanje killings.

Response to Khairlanji

Dharmavidya's response to the Khairlanji killings.

Khairlanji Atrocity

We received the following communication about the killing of a Dalit family at Khairlanji in India. Please see also Rev. Dharmavidya's response.

Buildings to be Demolished

The latest news from Hawaii is that the residential buildings on the Amida Temple site will have to be demolished. Rebuilding may take as much as a year. Paul Normann and Judy Walker are currently visiting The Buddhist House. Sr. Susthama is in Hawaii working with the New Moon Foundation on plans for the restoration of the buildings and continuance of the work. Amida practice continues.

31st October: Susthama to Hawaii

Sr. Susthama departed from The Buddhist House today en route for Amida Hawaii to assist in the aftermath of the earhquake - see also previous reports.

Susthama to go to Hawaii Immediately

The situation at Amida Temple in Hawaii has deteriorated further and Dharamvidya has asked Susthama to go to assist.

Earthquake Damage

The earthquake on 22nd October has done serious damage to the Amida Hawaii buildings

Dengue Fever in Delhi

Notice by Prasada about the outbreak of Dengue fever in East Delhi