Amida Buddhism Newcastle

Amida Newcastle and Newcastle University: Meetings from 27 November 2007 - January 16th 2008

Meetings at Amida Sanctuary and Newcastle University are listed here

Buddhism at Northumbria University

Details of all events can be found on the Northumbria Buddhist Society website

Dharmavidya on Creativity

Qu: Can u tell me about creativity at The Buddhist House?
Dh: Well, TBH is a creation in itself. I don't mean the fabric of the building - tho that did involve a lot of repairing and painting and the usage of the rooms is a flexible ever changing evolution. I mean more the community itself.

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Buddhist Chaplaincy at Northumbria University

Sujatin: I'm very happy to have been appointed as a member of the Northumbria University Chaplaincy team on Friday. This Chaplaincy was set up as multi-faith but has only had Christian chaplains to date.  I am a full member of the team, acting as Buddhist Contact person, with responsibility for the needs of Buddhists at the university, for the first year, after which I will be Buddhist Chaplain, with responsibility for the spiritual needs of all students and staff. There is a new site which will deal exclusively with meetings at Northumbria.

I have been Buddhist Chaplain at the other university in the city, Newcastle University, for the past four years

What happens when an Amidist dies?

From Dharmavidya's weblog:

Quick answer: He or she goes directly to the Pure Land.

QUESTION: What can an amidist expect in the period immediately following death? Is there anything written on that by shinran, honen etc? How does it compare for instance to the bardo experience described in the tibetan book of living and dying?

DHARMAVIDYA: In the Larger Pureland Sutra it says that a person who has had strong faith and lived accordingly will be met by Amida Buddha and taken directly to the Pure Land without any intervening bardo state.

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QUESTION: What can an amidist expect in the period immediately following death? Is there anything written on that by shinran, honen etc? How does it compare for instance to the bardo experience described in the tibetan book of living and dying?

How to regard Amida?: Dharmavidya

Quick answer: Amida is a real person and is a Buddha Tathagata.

QUESTION: I'm a recent, enthusiastic convert to Shin and have read through your insightful and thought-provoking posts on your web site as well as reading all the Shin literature I can find on the web. So much of it speaks very deeply to me. But I remain confused and conflicted about a central issue that even seems to divide Shin followers - how to view the "reality" of Amida. Some seem to view Amida as having some form of personhood, others seem to see Amida as "only" symbolic. Frankly, I 'm torn coming from a nominally zen background-inclining me to see Amida as merely symbolic of True Mind, yet I find it difficult to muster adequate devotion to a mere "symbol."

Continue reading "how to regard amida?" »

Quick answer: Amida is a real person and is a Buddha Tathagata.

QUESTION: I'm a recent, enthusiastic convert to Shin and have read through your insightful and thought-provoking posts on your web site as well as reading all the Shin literature I can find on the web. So much of it speaks very deeply to me. But I remain confused and conflicted about a central issue that even seems to divide Shin followers - how to view the "reality" of Amida. Some seem to view Amida as having some form of personhood, others seem to see Amida as "only" symbolic. Frankly, I 'm torn coming from a nominally zen background-inclining me to see Amida as merely symbolic of True Mind, yet I find it difficult to muster adequate devotion to a mere "symbol."

Quick answer: Amida is a real person and is a Buddha Tathagata.

How to deal with anger over collective issues

Dharmavidya writes on the question

How to deal with anger over collective issues

QUESTION: I have attended a couple of your talks. I have continued to struggle with a issue that I raised at the last talk. At that talk one of the participants was extremely critical of the government and its policies. What struck me was not the criticisms but the anger and hatred (personal attacks were made on the Premier etc.) that went along with the person's comments. I continue to be amazed at the lack of awareness most people have around that fact that quite often protestors will use the very same methods they are condemning in those they oppose (e.g. anger and sometimes violence at peace marches, or groups of individuals who have been victims who them acquire power and become victimizers of those who had hurt them).

::read more of the question and the answer here

Event in support of Burma on Thursday 8th November - Newcastle

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 8th November:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (very slow quiet walk with Buddhist chanting) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at the War Memorial to the right hand side of the door of St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6:15 pm. Come along and join us when you are able - you'll easily catch us up! Wear red if you can.

Last week we walked very slowly and didn't reach the Monument - but everyone who participated felt that walking at that speed attracted a lot of attention and was in keeping with the walking of the Burmese monks a few weeks ago.

Report of the event two weeks ago:

burma: newcastle hasn't forgotten you

Yesterday evening we met up at five pm and walked for the people of Burma. This was our fourth event and there were only three of us this time, walking slowly and chanting 'Amitabha' down the main shopping street of the city as workers rushed home and late-night shoppers took over Northumberland Street. We walked slowly, taking forty minutes for a distance that one could cover in about eight at normal pace.

We carried placards with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and Buddhist slogans and then, when we reached Grey's Monument to sit in meditation, we blu-tak'd these and others to the pavement and side of the monument. During our walk many people felt able to come up and read the words. We were looking about 7 feet ahead at the pavement as we chanted - so our lack of eye contact emboldened others. There were nods and 'thumbs up' of recognition and support. Even three can make an impact. To walk slowly and chant peacefully demonstrates a different way of being.

When we reached the monument we were approached by a group from the Kurdish community. As we prepared to sit in silent meditation we gave them a quick precis of the history and current situation in Burma. Would we pray for them, too, we were asked. Of course.

After the clock struck six we finished by chanting the nembutsu and bowing. Then we collected our belongings and repaired to a cafe for hot chocolate.

We're glad to be able to play a very small part in keeping the eyes of the world on the situation in Burma. The eyes of the world are having an effect, both for those who can make a crucial difference and for those who know that, this time, they have not been forgotten. So we will walk again next Thursday, whether we are few or many.

::link

Free Burma, free Aung San Suu Kyi!

We are repeating this event this week on Thursday 8th November:

Peaceful Dharma Yatra (very slow quiet walk with Buddhist chanting) from St Thomas's, Haymarket, down Northumberland Street - in support of the monks, nuns and people of Burma - meeting at the War Memorial to the right hand side of the door of St Thomas's at 5pm, finishing at approximately 6:15 pm. Come along and join us when you are able - you'll easily catch us up! Wear red if you can.

Last week we walked very slowly and didn't reach the Monument - but everyone who participated felt that walking at that speed attracted a lot of attention and was in keeping with the walking of the Burmese monks a few weeks ago.

Report of the event two weeks ago:

burma: newcastle hasn't forgotten you

Yesterday evening we met up at five pm and walked for the people of Burma. This was our fourth event and there were only three of us this time, walking slowly and chanting 'Amitabha' down the main shopping street of the city as workers rushed home and late-night shoppers took over Northumberland Street. We walked slowly, taking forty minutes for a distance that one could cover in about eight at normal pace.

We carried placards with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and Buddhist slogans and then, when we reached Grey's Monument to sit in meditation, we blu-tak'd these and others to the pavement and side of the monument. During our walk many people felt able to come up and read the words. We were looking about 7 feet ahead at the pavement as we chanted - so our lack of eye contact emboldened others. There were nods and 'thumbs up' of recognition and support. Even three can make an impact. To walk slowly and chant peacefully demonstrates a different way of being.

When we reached the monument we were approached by a group from the Kurdish community. As we prepared to sit in silent meditation we gave them a quick precis of the history and current situation in Burma. Would we pray for them, too, we were asked. Of course.

After the clock struck six we finished by chanting the nembutsu and bowing. Then we collected our belongings and repaired to a cafe for hot chocolate.

We're glad to be able to play a very small part in keeping the eyes of the world on the situation in Burma. The eyes of the world are having an effect, both for those who can make a crucial difference and for those who know that, this time, they have not been forgotten. So we will walk again next Thursday, whether we are few or many.

::link

Free Burma, free Aung San Suu Kyi!