Amida News

Approaching Enlightenment Day

December 8th is Enlightenment Day, the celebration of the founding of the Buddhist religion. At The Buddhist House members of the Amida sangha are gathered in retreat. Highlights of the retreat have been and are being broadcast using the video facility on the Friends of Amida ning site. These have included the 24 hour nembutsu chanting on 1st-2nd, ceremonies and teachings by Dharmavidya and Prasada, and will include an ordination on 7th December at 9.00 GMT, further teachings and practice. The ordination of a new member of the sangha is something particularly precious in this age and society where the vital ingredient of personal commitment is often rare. It is a gift to humanity. It is also entry into the most wonderful life.

The retreat marks the end of a full year for the Amida sangha and, perhaps, a cusp in the ethos of society at large where economic difficulties and political change are at a particularly acute stage. This is a time to reach out. The advent of an as yet primitive broadcasting facility is focussing minds upon how to further improve the connection between activity at The Buddhist House and those who are connected but unable to be physically present and how to enable Amidists around the world to play a full part in prctice and propagation of the Dharma. Amida activity overseas seems once again to be increasing after a lull. Concern for the distant and sometimes unseen other is a valuable aspect of Buddhist training and therefore a by no means inappropriate concern for a week dedicated to awakening. Our community is centred on faith and in our faith community, the sangha jewel, plays a particularly important role. As the connections within our sangha intensify so the influence of Amida Buddha shines more and more brightly in this afflicted world; when we have faith in the Buddha's principle of concern for the other miracles happen of their own accord. Namo Amida Bu.

Degree Ceremonies in Newcastle

Rev Sujatin was a guest, as a member of the Chaplaincy team at Northumbria University, at the Congregation at which Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate. As Buddhist Chaplain at Newcastle University, she was a member of the academic procession at two Congregations last week, at one of which Rachel Abel, Amida-shu member, received her degree. This was the first time that Buddhist robes have been worn in the academic procession at the University.

Nembutsu Film

The film of our 24 hour nembutsu is now on U-Tube . You can also read Susthama's lovely account of her experience of the event.

Refuge ceremony at Amida Sanctuary, Newcastle

Yesterday evening we held a Taking Refuge ceremony for Ivan Presho. The celebrant was Rev Sujatin, Minister, Order of Amida Buddha, and the Bellmaster was Rachel Abel of the Amida Newcastle sangha.
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Transfer of Merit

Dharmavidya today led the Sunday Service and monthly Transference of Merit Ceremony at The Buddhist House. He spoke on the passage in the Larger Sutra that refers to three grades of persons entering the Pure Land and of the self-identification of Pureland Buddhists with the lowest grade who are Amida Buddha's special concern.

Report on Stupa Dedication

A report with pictures on last Sunday's event.

Service at Newcastle University

On Monday evening Sujatin attended a Service of Welcome and Commissioning for the Honorary Chaplains (Christian) attached to the Chaplaincy team at Newcastle University. As the only non-Christian chaplain on campus, she represented both Buddhism and All Other Faiths.

Sunday Service

Sr. Susthama took the Sunday Service at 5pm at The Buddhist House. The service includes walking and sitting nembutsu, sutra chanting, a lesson and Dharma talk. Sr. Susthama took as her text for the talk a collection of poems, including the following written by Mitsuyo Makinodan...

Urged by Amida to listen
To the teaching in ordinary times
The more I listen
The more ashamed I am of myself.

At Three Wheels Temple

Inauguration of Three Wheels Stupa

Rev. Dr. Dharmavidya, Rev. Prasada, Ven. Miao-san and Gareth went to Brookwood Cemetery this morning to assist Rev. Sato, his teacher Chimyo Takehara sama, and other members of the Three Wheels Temple in the ceremonies to inaugurate a stupa. The creation of the stupa has come about through the death of Rev. Zenko Croysdale, a Zen monk who left a bequest for this purpose. After the ceremonies at Brookwood in Surrey the party returned to Three Wheels Temple for further ceremonies and a Dharma meeting at which Takehara sama and others made speeches. Members of the Theravada sangha were also present at the Temple events. A warm atmosphere prevailed throughout.