Amida News

Dharmavidya has returned to UK after a successful visit to Hawaii

Dharmavidya has returned to The Buddhist House after travelling to the Big Island of Hawaii to give teachings and meet the members of the Amida sangha there. He was was present for the inauguration of Amida USA as a church registered in the state of Hawaii, conducted an admission ceremony, and led a seminar on Buddhist psychology.

After leaving Big Island, Dharmavidya visited the state capital Honolulu on the island of Oahu where, as the guest of Clyde Whitworth, he had joyous reunions with leading Pureland Buddhist author Al Bloom, and with Jodo-shu priest Yubun Narashiba, and also met a number of new friends including the remarkable Rose Nakamura who runs the Project Dana charity.  

Dhamavidya will now be in UK through the up-coming period of retreats, until mid-December. He also has a book launch for his new poetry book on 11th November at The Grange in Malvern

April Pilgrimage to Japan in Memory of Honen Shonin 800th

Dharmavidya is currently in Japan visiting Shinto and Buddhist sites and giving lectures in memory of the 800th anniversary of the death of Honen Shonin and offering support to people affected by the recent national disaster.

31st March: Dharmavidya gave a talk at TBH on Genshin (942-1017)

Genshin is one of the ancestors of the Pureland tradition. He was a dedicated scholar as well as a painter and visionary.

A new Amida group is meeting in Nuneaton

Nuneaton Amida Group Hi every one the Nuneaton Sangha will meet once a fortnight on Saturday mornings.From 10.30am till 12 noon.We will have a small service,including chanting,and meditation,followed by a buddhist reading and an open discussion.then tea and biccies or cake. anyone welcome.The address is 17 farriers way nuneaton cv11 6uz.hope to see you Namo Amida Bu.

9th March: Dharmavidya & Prasada lectured at Leeds Metropolitan University

Caroline (Prasada) Brazier lectured on "Buddhist Psychology"

David (Dharmavidya) Brazier spoke on "Spirituality and Psychotherapy"

Would you like to be a Member of the AMIDA-KAI

Buddhism can be a force in this world and your contribution is important for the benefit of all living things. There are so many ways to get involved and to feel part of something much greater than oneself.

Founding of Institute for Spirituality, Religion & Public Life

On 5th December Amida Trust became one of the founder members of the Institute for Spirituality, Religion and Public Life established by Leeds Metropolitan University to foster research and public interest in the relation between spirituality and civic involvement.

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.

Dates of Dharmavidya & Prasada Visit to N America

The schedule for Dharmavidya and Prasada's visit in January and February to the USA and Canada are now published on Friends of Amida

Prasada Attending 1st Conference on Practical Application of Buddhism in Western Psychology

Prasada Brazier is making a presentation at this conference in Poland.