Amida Buddhism Newcastle

Amida Newcastle - how to find us

Amida Newcastle is located at
Amida Sanctuary, Beacon House,
49 Linden Road, Gosforth,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4HA

A map of where to find us - here

Update

More than a State of Mind

Dharmavidya writes:

Buddhism is more than 'a state of mind'. It is an orientation to life. We enter into many states of mind in the course of a day and it is certainly impossible to remain in just one. The deeper rooted elements that make up one's life - one's faith, one's love, one's sense of beauty and truth - these things persist even when one is not making a particular effort. They are one's nature. They give rise to states of mind as circumstances come and go.

Through the practice of nembutsu we put ourselves in relation to the Buddha as a living presence and as a refuge that we can rely upon. As we place our reliance upon something as wholesome as this the cluster of factors that form the basis of our being are affected. To love the Buddha, even intermittantly, and to believe, at least sometimes, that the Buddha loves one unconditionally changes the whole frame within which one's life takes place.

Buddhism, therefore, is not just a technique. It is not synonymous with meditation or chanting or any particular ritual. These things are expressions of an orientation. They are ways to celebrate. They celebrate the wonder of Buddha's love. They also celebrate the joy of living in a sangha. The bond between those who practise together and support one another in the Dharma is more precious than any possession.

This kind of refuge can arise for us when we stop taking our own powers, entitlement and reputation so seriously. Religion begins with a self-re-evaluation. Realising our fallible, dependent and sometimes corrupt nature is a first step to opening ourselves to the influence of something better. By 'Taking Refuge' and placing the best thing at the centre of gravity of our life by being in a devoted relation to Buddha, we allow a powerful influence to start working. We orbit around it and one day, by its power rather than ours, we shall be taken to it entirely.

Join the Friends of Amida Ning (Socially Engaged Pureland Buddhism) group here

Nembutsu

A brief explanation of the nembutsu which is the primary practice of the Amida Pureland School.

Nembutsu means keeping Buddha in mind. Nen (or nem-) translates the Sanskrit term smriti which means to remember or keep in mind. Smriti is often translated as mindfulness. The equivalent term in Pali is sati. Butsu is the Japanese word for Buddha. Nembutsu thus means keeping Buddha in mind. The nembutsu practitioner tries to keep Buddha in mind in all that he or she does. This is a bit like being in love with Buddha. When we are in love with somebody that person is always in our mind. Even if we are talking to somebody else, our beloved is somewhere in our consciousness. In Amida Buddhism, therefore, the Buddha is our beloved.

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Spiritual exercises in the Amida School

Here is a short description Dharmavidya (the head of our Order) has given of the function of spiritual exercises. I have added some comments or explanation in italics:

The core practice in Amida-shu (the Amida School) is nembutsu (- keeping the Buddha, specifically Amida Buddha, in mind). All other practices are ancilliary to nembutsu. Ancilliary practices may be of three kinds.

(1) other forms of nembutsu - thus bowing may be considered to be nembutsu with the body if it is intended as such.

(2) applications of nembutsu - thus our socially engaged activities are our way of trying to apply what we believe would be Nyorai's* intention for this world.

(3) practices that deepen our appreciation of what nembutsu means.

*Amida Buddha

In this third category we have the spiritual exercises Nei Quan and Chih Quan. Nembutsu speaks of a relationship between the bombu (foolish* human being) and Nyorai. Nei Quan helps us to deepen our understanding of our bombu nature. Chih Quan helps us to feel the presence of Nyorai.

Here is a short description Dharmavidya (the head of our Order) has given of the function of spiritual exercises. I have added some comments or explanation in italics:

Degree Ceremonies at Newcastle

Rev Sujatin was a guest, as a member of the Chaplaincy team at Northumbria University, at the Congregation at which 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.

Rachel Abel graduates

Rachel Abel, of Amida Newcastle sangha and the latest Amida-shu member, graduated this afternoon with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Modern Languages with Management Studies. Here she is with me and with her proud mother just after the ceremony:

Amida Chanting

The chant we we do at the beginning of meditation, following two bells (bow on the second bell) is:

(Slowly)
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida
Namo A- mida Buddha
Namo A - mida Bu

Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida
Amida Buddha
Amida Bu

(Fast)
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida
Namo Amida Buddha
Namo Amida Bu

Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida Bu
Amida
Amida Buddha
Amida Bu

(Quietly and slowly)
Namo A-mida Bu
(Bow)

You can think of the first set as calling Amida, the second as Amida being here, the third - Amida pouring blissful nectar over you and the fourth as that nectar spreading all over the world.

At the end of meditation we do the first set, started with the sounder touching the bell - on the last Bu there are three bells - bow on the last, i.e:

(Slowly)
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida Bu
Namo A - mida
Namo A- mida Buddha
Namo A - mida Bu

***(3x Bell) Bow on last bell

When we walk we can either use Namo Amida Bu or Amitabha or Namo Omito Fo - the Chinese version. With the mokujo (wooden fish drum) it's Namo Ami - dabu.

If there are two sets of people the first chants 4 times - on the 4th the second group start four times and carry on, so that when you are going there will be
1) group a and b all together,
2), 3) one group (a) on their own while the other group (b) is silent
4) a and b all together
5), 6) first group (a) silent while the other group (b) chant.

When we walk -

(If sitting) * bell - all stand

*bell - all bow to each other

*bell - all turn to left, ready to walk clockwise

*bell - first step

On the last circumambulation of the room the bell will be rung - this is a signal to remain standing when you reach your place. When all back standing in front of their seats *bell - all bow, then sit

Rachel Abel has become an Amida-shu member

On the evening of 1st July 2008 Rachel Abel became a member of the Amida School, Amida-shu at a ceremony held at Amida Sanctuary. She also took the Five Precepts in the Amida-shu form of the Five Prayers of Upasikas.

The celebrant was Rev Sujatin, Bellmaster Sophie Williams and the congregation included Rachel's mother, husband and a friend, regular sangha member Jackie and long-term friend of Amida, David.