Amida Events

2009: March 19-29: OJO RETREAT "Right Effort within Other Power"

A period of practice, seminars and community living with reflection upon the legacy of our spiritual ancestors and the spirit that they have imparted to the Dharma community.

The overall theme of this retreat period is "Right Effort within Other power". There is a common fallacy that Other Power and personal effort somehow exclude one another, whereas both are central elements in the Buddhist way. It is, therefore, important to understand the correct relation between them. This week includes memorials for Gisho Saiko Sensei, Amita Amrita Dhammika and Gyomay Kubose Sensei. All three were inspired by a deep Buddhist faith and all three were exemplars of Right Effort in the service of all sentient beings, though in three different ways that complement each another and together constitute three important dimensions of the Amida approach. Gisho Saiko pioneered Shinshu Counselling and his psychological methods rooted in Amidist faith inspired many students and disciples. Amrita Dhammika (1956-2006) went forth to Africa and expressed her faith in the form of humanitarian work. Gyomay Kubose (1906-2000), a disciple of Haya Akegarasu (1877-1954), supported the Japanese people in America through the difficult times that they experienced during and after the Second World War when as enemy aliens they faced great difficulties in recreating their community after internment and displacement and managed to do so through the sustaining power of Amidist faith. These three - psychological depth, humanitarian outreach and sustained community - are principal aspects of what Amida-shu is doing in the world.

The retreat also includes Paramita Day (21 March) and this focusses our attention upon the bodhisattva ideal. The Larger Pureland Sutra which is the principle text of Amida-shu has as one of its main themes the establishment of the bodhisattva ideal at the heart of what it means to have faith in Amida buddha.

2008: September 19-21: Introductory Retreat

Learn the basics of Pureland practice and find out what it means to practise.
This introductory retreat is open to all. We will introduce some basic concepts found in the Amidist approach to Pureland Buddhism and spend some time practising together. Amida retreats are friendly, informative, and replenishing. This will be a good time for those interested in taking time out from a busy or stressful life to relax, chant, explore one's faith and spirituality and experience life in a Buddhist community. Please arrive Friday evening if possible.

2008 1-8 Dec: BODHI RETREAT

Monday to Monday

Always the most important and exuberant event in the Amida annual calendar, the Bodhi Retreat has grown in significance as the Amida-shu and the Amida Order have developed. It is traditional to hold a retreat at this time of year in memory of the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha on 8th December. The retreat includes teachings, seminars, formal and informal gatherings, nembutsu practice, beautiful and affecting ceremonies, and opportunities for personal sharing and making friends. This is also the retreat at which ordinations, commitment ceremonies and renewals of refuge, membership and precepts take place. There will be school, order and ministry meetings. If you are a present or intending member of Amida-shu, do make every effort to attend. If you are contemplating an advance in your commitment, please arrange to discuss this ahead of the retreat with one of the teachers at The Buddhist House. The retreat commences with a session of “prayer unceasing” in the 24 hour nembutsu chanting 1-2 December. The actual chanting continues from noon to noon. Preliminary events and gatherings commence with brunch at 9.00am Monday. If you wish to immerse yourself in the Amida culture in a wonderful way, this is it.

2008 November 7-9: Retreat: "Exile & Return"

A weekend retreat gathering, Friday evening 7pm (or meal at 6) to 3.30pm Sunday. It is traditional in Pureland Buddhism to hold a retreat in the autumn in memory of the exile of Honen Shonin and other founders of Pureland in Japan. From about the year 1200 onward the traditional Buddhist temples in Japan began to be more and more alarmed by the spread of the nembutsu teaching throughout the land. In 1204 they petitioned for the abolition of the nembutsu practice. In 1207, Honen Shonin, then 75 years old, was exiled and his leading disciples were all exiled to different parts of the country. This actually eventually led to the dissemination of the nembutsu through Japan and to its becoming the largest school of Buddhism in the country. The bannishment was repealed a couple of years later and Honen eventually returned to the capital where he died in 1212. At this retreat we will remember these formative events and also look at the themes of exile, return and refuge and of keeping faith through difficult times as they manifests in our own lives. A time to practice together, share experience, learn about the tradition and celebrate our connections as a sangha.

2009: January 24-25: Honen Shonin Retreat

A weekend to celebrate the founder of Japanese Pureland, Honen Shonin

Honen Shonin started a movement that revolutionised Japanese Buddhism, not only in his own school. He took the teachings to the mass of ordinary people and emphasised thei all inclusiveness. He was opposed to elitism and religious criteria that excluded many people. His approach to teaching was very down to earth and his practices simple.

This weekend is both a time to celebrate tradition and what it brings into our lives and to reflect that this tradition has, at its core, a call to new life, new vision and new faith. We can reflect upon our own commitment to a path of practice for the benefit of the ordinary people of the world.