Amida Buddhism Newcastle

Meetings week beginning May 5th and 12th 2008

Details of meetings at Amida Newcastle, Newcastle University and Northumbria University during the week beginning May 5th and links to locations ::here

Newcastle University, Summer Term 2008 - Drop In sessions at Castle Leazes

For all students at Newcastle University:

Mia Fox, one of the Catholic Chaplains, and I (Sujatin, the Buddhist Chaplain) will be holding regular Drop In sessions. We will have a table in Castle Leazes entrance hall and also a room for private conversations.

Come by and say hello - and take the opportunity to discuss Buddhist practice or to have a chat, especially if there is any support you'd like.

Dates and times this term:

Tuesday 13th May, 2 - 4 pm

Monday 2nd June, 12 - 2 pm

Welcome

Welcome to this weblog which will introduce you to the activities of Amida Newcastle, the local group of the Amida Trust. The group is led by Rev Sujatin Johnson, a minister with the *Amida Order 

We meet regularly in Gosforth (map), about two miles north of Newcastle city centre, at Amida Sanctuary, which is a few minutes walk from Gosforth High Street. Our events are open to all who would like to learn about this school of Buddhism and to practice with us, whether they are from our own or other Buddhist traditions, other religions or none. We offer meditation and Pureland Buddhist practice, services and lessons.

Cost: voluntary. We would be happy to accept donations to cover Amida Newcastle costs and to support our projects in Zambia, India and elsewhere. Suggested amount: £1:00 - £3:00 per session

Sujatin is the Buddhist Chaplain at Newcastle University, where she runs weekly guided 'Meditation For Relaxation'  sessions for students and staff in The Kings Road Centre and 'Introduction to Buddhism' classes at Castle Leazes - both these sessions run during term time.

She is also, as Buddhist Contact Person, a member of the Chaplaincy team at Northumbria University and will be expanding the number of meetings held there - for details contact Rev Sujatin.

She is happy to meet with people individually for spiritual friendship, guidance in their Buddhist practice and for pastoral care.

To find the information you are seeking on this site choose the category from the list at the top of the left hand column.

To contact Rev Sujatin personally - and please feel free to do so - send an email - her address is at the top of the right hand column - insert @ and . in the appropriate places.

* Amida Trust  sponsors our school - 'Amida-shu, the Buddhist sangha led by the Amida Order. We are guided by the head of our Order Rev Dharmavidya David Brazier. Our practice is one of authentic Pureland Buddhism from India, China, Vietnam and Japan: spiritually profound, socially engaged and psychologically informed.'

Look for details of  Amida-kai, an association for spirituality and its applications.

Updated April 26th 2008

**Kenneth Tanaka - a new patron for Amida Trust

 **Special Features of Amida Buddhism: A concise guide

**Do Amida Buddhists meditate? Yes and no. Dharmavidya answers this question here

**Amida books:
Both Dharmavidya (David Brazier) and Prasada (Caroline Brazier) have books published recently. We have a few copies for sale - otherwise they can be ordered from The Buddhist House, local bookshops or Amazon.

::review of the other buddhism

::reviews of who loves dies well

You can find their previous books here. We hope to invite them to visit us and will plan events around this.

Endorsement from Professor Al Bloom

Al Bloom writes: Dharmavidya's book "Who Loves Dies Well" is right on the mark. As he takes us through the sufferings of his mother in her last days, he intertwines his experiences as a devoted caretaker and a son with his clear understanding of Pure Land Buddhism in an illuminating and inviting style. His observations on religion in general, Buddhism and life make this a valuable book for anyone's library.

He also writes: "I hope that you can develop a sangha in the US and provide people with a modern and relevant interpretation of Pure Land as you have been doing in the book."

::link to amida books

who loves dies well 
On the brink of Buddhas Pure Land

David Brazier (Dharmavidya) writes a moving introduction to Pureland Buddhism. Read here the intimacy of Buddhist spiritual life, unique yet universal, laid bare by confrontation with death and a son's love for his mother in her final days. read more

the other buddhism
Amida comes West

Caroline Brazier offers a fresh view of spirituality. Pureland centres on our relationship with Amida Buddha, the embodiment of measureless love, light and life. We can but stand in awe and reach out to what we intuitively know to be beyond the small orbit of our lives. Pureland is a path of simplicity and beauty, poetry and nature. It is the path of faith. read more

 

Meditation For Relaxation at Newcastle University May and June 2008

For the staff and students at Newcastle University:
Guided Meditation session on Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30 pm

on these dates:

May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June 3rd (note - no meeting on June 10th)

at Newcastle Chaplaincy -
this is the ::new location for the Chaplaincy

Ring the bell to the left of the door so I can let you in.

Once inside please sign in and out on the Volunteers sheet to the right of the door (In case of fire).

Northumbria University Meetings May and June 2008

For staff and students at Northumbria University:

Wednesdays, 12:15 - 1:10 pm

May 7th Introduction to Buddhism lesson

May 14th Meditation For Relaxation

May 21st Introduction to Buddhism lesson

May 28th meditation For Relaxation

June 4th Introduction to Buddhism lesson

All welcome. No experience necessary.

If you have missed any of the Introduction to Buddhism lessons do email me and I can send them to you

The sessions are all held in Northumbria University Chaplaincy ::link - how to find us

For staff and students at Northumbria University:

Wednesdays, 12:15 - 1:10 pm

May 7th Introduction to Buddhism lesson

May 14th Meditation For Relaxation

May 21st Introduction to Buddhism lesson

May 28th meditation For Relaxation

June 4th Introduction to Buddhism lesson

All welcome. No experience necessary.

If you have missed any of the Introduction to Buddhism lessons do email me and I can send them to you

The sessions are all held in Northumbria University Chaplaincy ::link - how to find us

Meetings week beginning 28th April 2008

You'll find details of the meetings at Amida Sanctuary, Newcastle University and Northumbria University and links to where to find us ::here

Meetings week beginning 21st April 2008

Details of meetings at Amida Sanctuary, Newcastle University and Northumbria University ::here

Meal time and incense offering verses

Meal time verses:

Infinite benefits bless the breakfast food.
All beings profit greatly therefrom
Since the results are limitless and wonderful
the pleasure is ours for eternity

-----------

This food is the gift of the whole universe
the earth, the sky, all sentient beings
in this food is much joy, much suffering much hard work
we accept this food so that we may follow the path of practice
and help all beings everywhere

-------------

The first bite it to cut off delusion
the second bite is to grow in faith
the third bite is to help all beings
we pray that all may be enlightened.
We pray for peace in this world
and the cessation of all misfortune

---------

The Buddha invites us to eat in mindfulness
of the food, the earth, the world around us
we pray that our minds may not become dull
nor our attention scattered
and that we may realize the deep significance of life

-------------

Incense offerings
(the first may be used for tea or flower offerings, with appropriate words inserted)

In gratitude we offer this incense
to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
throughout space and time
may it be as fragrant as earth herself
reflecting our careful efforts
our whole-hearted awareness
and the fruit of understanding
slowly ripening
may we and all beings be
companions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
may we awaken from forgetfulness
and realise the Pure Land

-------------------

The fragrance of this incense
permeates our practice centre
and goes forth to worlds beyond
in the sincerity of our training
the Sanghakaya is revealed
hearts and minds bow in gratitude
offerings multiply like the action
of the all good one
and the light that knows no obstacle
fills the Dharma realm.

Buddhist Magazines for Amida Sanctuary

A blogging friend has just - with great generosity - sent me a substantial parcel of Buddhist magazines - Tricycle and Buddhadharma - for Amida Sanctuary. Do feel free to borrow them or arrange with me to come here to lounge and read.

Amida Courses Newsletter

April 2008

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Welcome to our Amida Courses Newsletter. This spring has been a busy and creative time at The Buddhist House, with a lot of fun and enthusiasm being expressed in various Amida ventures. This newsletter is just intended to give you a flavour of what is on offer. More detail of most things listed can be found on our web sites at www.amidatrust.com and www.buddhistpsychology.info or you can email us at courses@amidatrust.com

 

2008/9 PSYCHOTHERAPY COURSES

Our course callendar for 2008/9 is now on the web at http://www.buddhistpsychology.info/calendar%2004to05.htm If you wish to apply for any of our courses, please do send your applications in good time as it takes a while to arrange references. The is still time to join the programme at the next course block in May/June, though we would only advise joining at this particular course if you have some prior experience. Contact us if you have questions about this.