Amida Buddhism Newcastle

Amida at Sukhavati House, London

You are welcome to visit and to attend any courses.

Here is their new website - have a look through it for details

Amida links

Look here for

Institute for Zen Therapy - Buddhist Psychology

Amida Retreats, Spiritual Practice and Religious Vocation

Sacred Places and Ancient Way - Spiritual journeying

What is Amida-shu?

Amida-shu is a spiritual community, an international network of people bound together by a consciouness of "Amida", of the spirit of love and truth at work in the world in the midst of ordinary, fallible beings like ourselves. Beyond this it does not require any particular form of belief or doctrine or theory. Amidists have a practice of calling the Name of Amida. In addition to this, you do not have to meditate or pray or adopt any particular practices, though you can if you want to.

Amidism is not a way of achieving anything. It is, rather a celebration and a communion. Amidists are not necessarily virtuous or wise or accomplished. We are simply people who celebrate the spiritual presence, each in his or her own way, yet together. Amidists often practice in groups, but practice can vary from group to group. Amidists are creative. We like rituals, but we do not cling to one particular form - the spirit can be celebrated in many ways. 

Amidists appreciate the whole range of mystical heritage, irrespective of which religion it comes from. Although we are most closely associated with the tradition of Pureland Buddhism, we understand this vehicle as a generic spirituality and appreciate the wisdom of all those who have transmitted direct knowledge of the Spirit down the ages.

::link - join Friends of Amida: find out about the many facets of the Amida Trust, make spiritual friends close to home and around the world,  arrange to meet them in person at one of the courses or events, read articles, listen to or watch Dharma talks and Pureland Buddhist ceremonies, suppoert the work of the Trust as a volunteer or by donation, join in discussions around specific themes...and much, much more!

Visit the main Amida Trust centre in London

Amida Trust and the Amida Order are based at

Sukhavati

21 Sussex Way

LONDON

N7 6RT

+44-(0)207 2632 183

amida@amidatrust.com

A New Year message from Dharmavidya

(1 January 2012)

Dharmavidya: "Here is part of a message that I recently distributed to members of the Amida Order...

New year is a time for important reflection. Looking back I remember earlier in 2011 there was a lot of talk about "the changes" but recently we have been seeing real change happening rapidly. Beside all the specific developments, which are wonderful, one thing that I am noticing is an increasing dispersion of activity and responsibility. The "new" Amida Trust looks well set to be a collective effort in a stronger sense than the old one was. I am delighted by this and I hope that the process will go further. If each member of the Order takes responsibility with others for one or two significant functions within the whole we shall have a very vibrant community.

 

At the core of all our rapidly diversifying work is the nembutsu. I consider the limited nature and the smallness of my individual life - how little I can do alone, how soon my life will be over, how many mistakes I make - and I see how even in this small dew drop which is my life, there reflects a light much greater than anything I could generate alone. I see that each of you similarly reflects this great light and that together we can illumine the world, each, perhaps, reflecting a slightly different hue from the spectrum. The light that we reflect is one that animates us to collectively do wonderful things. In many systems of Buddhism the first thing to realise is the preciousness of human rebirth. We are here with a tiny amount of time and energy and it is vitally important that we not squander it, and that we each actively live in the best light that we know. New Year is a good time to think of these things, to "begin anew" and rededicate ourselves to spreading love and understanding in the world together.

 

I am approaching the New Year with much enthusiasm. The situation that has recently unfolded was not particularly what I was expecting or looking for, but I can see in it great possibilities and one can hardly avoid feeling the energy that it has let loose. The future is always uncertain. What matters is that we approach it in good heart and I know that we are doing so. NAMO AMIDA BU.

 

Love to each of you

Dharmavidya"

::link

New Amida News

Dharmavidya writes:

NEW AMIDA NEWS

11 December 2011

Following re-organisation the Amida Trust and Amida Order will now be based at

Sukhavati, 21 Sussex Way, Finsbury Park, London N7 6RT, tel: 0207 2632183.

Dear friends

You might like to know about progress in the transition resulting from the agreement reached on 27 November to split the work of Caroline Brazier and that of the Amida Order into two separate organisations. The Order will continue organisationally to be known as Amida Trust. It will be based at Sukhavati House in Finsbury Park in London. We shall administer the Friends of Amida "ning" site and the Amida Trust home page and will be developing a new site for our course programmes. Caroline is forming a new organisation to be called the Tariki Trust. TT will be based in Narborough, AT in London. This is a new start so you may value having a newsletter that reports on progress of the new Amida Trust.

NEW TRUSTEES-IN-WAITING

AT now has a new board of trustees. They held their first meeting at Sukhavati House on 10^th December. Various legalities need to be deal with to bring the new group fuilly into play and these will happen over coming weeks. Three members of the old trustee group have agreed to stay on to oversee the transition.

CIRCUITS

There has been concern in the sangha in UK particularly whether the move to London will result in amitaryas being less accessible. We are planning the opposite. We have in mind the possibility of reviving an old fashioned idea of “circuits”. In the days before modern transport spiritual activists had to ride from place to place to see the faithful. Nowadays we have cars, but the idea of arranging the sangha into circuits that amitaryas can visit is gaining strength. This may both make visits to different parts of the country a more regular occurrence and also create connections between isolated members of the sangha over areas larger than are practical for regular meetings.

The new Institute for Zen Therapy is up and running

Here's the information from their brand new website:

Welcome

This site offers information about IZT and its course programmes. The IZT is the section of the Amida Trust concerned with Buddhist psychology practice and training. AT is a Buddhist community concerned with the application of ancient wisdom to modern situations. IZT is a new development, but inherits a training with an unbroken history reaching back to a first programme established in 1981.

 

IZT offers 

• Psychotherapy, Counselling, Analysis & Guidance
• Professional training in counselling and psychotherapy
• Short & longer courses in Buddhist psychology topics 
• Groupwork & Pandramatics
• Support & supervision for counsellors & therapists
• Access to the wider world of Amida Trust

 

Amida Trust becomes two organisations - Amida Trust and Tariki Trust

Statement from Dharmavidya, the Head of the Amida Order, sent around as an email this morning (1 Dec 2011). For Caroline's statement please scroll down.

Dear friends

You will probably have heard by now that a reorganisation is taking
place within the Amida organisation. This public letter is to tell you
how this will work from the Amida Trust side. I'm sorry that it is
long, but you can pick out what interests you. If it comes to you more
than once, please accept my apologies for the duplication.

In July Caroline resigned from the Amida Order and in consequence she
will now create a new organisation. An agreement has been reached in
broad principles. She will form a new Pureland Buddhist charity,
possibly under the name Tariki Trust. This is currently taking shape.
Half the assets of the old organisation will go to this new
organisation. This creates new opportunities and challenges for those of
us who continue the journey with Amida Trust in its new circumstance. In
broad we intend to proceed by the same principles that have always stood
us in good stead and to reinforce and deepen them. The strength of Amida
Trust is our people - us - and working together in the freedom created
by the new arrangements great things are certainly possible.

Amida - retreats and chanting during November and December 2011 at The Buddhist House

We are now moving towards the most important retreat in the Amida
calendar, the Bodhi Retreat. This is a time of reflection and
celebration as well as a time in the year when people receive
ordination, become Amida shu members and take refuge. It is also an
opportunity for the Sangha to come together to engage in an extended
period of devotion and nembutsu practice.

This year, to build on the success of the 72 hour nembutsu intensives
over the last two years, we will be chanting continuously for a period
of ten days between November 22nd through to December 2nd. This
chanting intensive precedes the Bodhi Retreat and follows the Reihai
Sesshin. All three periods can be considered as a whole, connected by
the spirit of devotion to Amida and an expression of gratitude for his
grace.

Continuous Nembutsu Chant - Video

Here's just over an hour of the 72 hour continuous nembutsu chant from the 2010 Bodhi Retreat at The Buddhist House. Do join in -

Namo Amida Bu!

 

Join the 72 hour nembutsu chant at The Buddhist House

As the first part of the Bodhi Retreat at the Buddhist House, the Amida sangha chant the nembutsu, Namo Amida Bu.....this started at 12 mid-day on Wednesday and continues until mid-day Saturday, GMT. Kuvalaya is taking part. You can join in at a distance, as Sujatin is doing (she can't be with them in person, due to ill health and much snow and ice) by watching the video here.

The Bodhi Retreat, December 2010

Every year during the Bodhi Retreat (the most important event in the Amida year), which is held at Amida's Buddhist House, Narborough, we chant the Nembutsu continuously for a period of time. We will be chanting the Nembutsu for 72 hours and would like to invite you to come and participate/experience some or all of it. The aim will be to keep it going for 72 hours between all of us therefore we do not expect anyone to chant continuously without taking any breaks. The practise will be shared and so people are welcome to dip in and out according to their needs for rest and food.              

It would be lovely if you could join us. Along with the three days of chanting there will be special ceremonies on the 9th.

Timetable:

Noon 1st to noon 4th December
72 hour continuous nembutsu chanting

Sunday 5th December
Refuge and Admission Ceremonies for people becoming or confirming their Buddhist commitment or entering or confirming membership of the Amida-shu.
Evening session of Other Power Life Dance

Monday 6th December
Day of Silent Contemplation (Quan)

Tuesday 7th December
Meetings for Practice, Devotion, Sharing and Instruction

8th December - Bodhi Day
Ceremonies for Ordination, Admission to the Amida Order, or Admission to Aspirancy or Postulancy.

The retreat is a wonderful occasion for entering into the heart of the sangha, its community and its practice.

Please pay for your accommodation and give a suitable donation toward the work of the Trust and the Order. Thank you.

Click here for further details of the event.

6th Living Buddhism Conference: 'Culturally Engaged Buddhism': May 2011

Venue: Narborough, Leicestershire, UK

Dates: May 12 - 15, 2011

6th Living Buddhism Conference: Culturally Engaged Buddhism'

At this conference we shall discuss the culturally engaged Buddhism that is the hallmark of Amida Trust's work in Europe, Asia and North America. We will have presentations and workshops to explore principles and practice. We shall meet as a sangha and renew our resolve to go forth for the good of the many following the inspiration of the message of the Buddhas.

The picture is of a small statue of Manjushri Buddha that is iconic for the people of Assam. Amida Trust has recently forged an alliance with the Tathagata Trust in that region as a working alliance to advance socially engaged Buddhist projects for the benefit of the people. Jnanamati is in Assam helping with this work. He will be at the conference to report on progress and future opportunities.

In Delhi, Amida sangha continues to work for the emancipation of ex-untouchables and the education of some of the poorest sectors of society. Sahishnu will talk about this work at the conference.

In France, Prasada has taken on the leadership of the Amida Retreat Centre and is developing a range of programmes in Buddhist Psychology and in Eco-Therapy. Her new book on the latter subject is expected later this year. She will talk about her work at the conference.

In Canada, Prajnatara has established the Amida Mosaic Sangha in Ontario and in Hawaii Franco Acquaro continues to give good leadership to the sangha that there that now has its own centre. He will be at the conference.

In Narborough the Amida Trust has its main base and also carries out a wide range of chaplaincy work in the town, including the Maitri Project interfaith drop in centre. This work will be described at the conference.

In Newcastle upon Tyne, in Sheffield, and in London, Amida Sangha members are working is a wide range of community engagement - conflict resolution, community mediation, chaplaincy, interfaith, mental health - leading members of these sanghas will be present at the conference to talk about their work.

The sources of our inspiration are in the Asian and especially Japanese traditions of Mahayana Buddihism as they have been brought into the modern world by such pioneers as Sensei Gisho Saiko, the founder of Shinshu Counselling. Present at the conference will be Kazuo Yamashite from Japan to talk about this work.

Come and join these and many other great people to get up to speed with what is going on and help carry it into the future.

::follow this link  to book your place

 

Updated 21 November 2011

A new Buddhist priest for Amida Newcastle

Dear friends

This morning, the last day of the Bodhi Retreat, we held Ordination ceremonies. It is my delight to announce that we have a new priest, specifically a Ganko-sha, who will be travelling back to Newcastle this evening. Formerly known as Rachel Abel, she is now Amita (our family name) Kuvalaya. I look forward to presenting Kuvalaya to you in due course!

Namo Amida Bu

About Amida School (Amida-shu) membership

Dharmavidya writes:

What does Amida-shu membership imply? The following is a rough indication. No two individuals are quite the same, but, broadly, this gives the picture.

1. An Amida-shu member accepts the framework of spiritual teachings set out in Chapter One of Provisions, particularly, the trikaya nature of Buddha, the bombu nature of the adherent, and nembutsu as primary spiritual practice.
2. An Amida-shu member says the nembutsu often and holds it dear.
3. An Amida-shu member is a disciple of the head of the Amida Order.
4. An Amida-shu member is likely to have one or more mentors who are Order members other than the head of the Order.
5. An Amida-shu member is an active member of a local Amida-shu group or congregation or, if there is no such within reach, functions as a local representative of Amida-shu individually until such time as other practitioners appear in the area.
6. An Amida-shu member makes regular financial contribution to the sangha of a small proportion of his or her income..
7. An Amida-shu member contributes to the life of the Amida-shu sangha by
(a). co-operating with other members in commonly agreed activities that spread the word and do good work.
(b). contributing to consultations about the life and future of this communion
(c). participating in services and ceremonies in his/her area
8. An Amida-shu member supports, or at least does not oppose, the social platform of Amida-shu as set out in the Appendix to Provisions
9. An Amida-shu member seeks teachings and goes on retreat from time to time.
10. An Amida-shu member values the Dharma, encourages others to follow it when they are open to it and protects it from those who are not open. He or she is welcoming to new sangha members and facilitates those who wish to become involved.

Dharmavidya and Prasada to give talks in Newcastle, May 19 & 20, 2009

Rev Dr Dharmavidya David Brazier, the head of the Amida Order

and Rev Prasada Caroline Brazier 

will be making a rare visit to Newcastle during May. On one of the evenings Dharmavidya will be giving a talk titled "Living in the Light of Unconditional Love" and, on the other, Prasada will be giving a presentation on her newly published book "Guilt: An Exploration"*.

Update - the venue with be the Chaplaincy at Northumbria University:

1st floor of the Wynne-Jones Centre no 17 on the Campus map

Further details to follow. These talks will be open to the public. Please keep these evenings free. Do contact me if you can help with publicity.

* This book is a journey; an exploration into those areas of life which both fascinate and repel us. Through the weaving together of an account of a group of young people, fine grained analysis of the emotional and ethical basis of guilt, and illustration draw from a variety of life circumstances, the reader is drawn into the complexity of a subject which troubles many people in the modern world. The book deals sensitively with some of the most challenging areas of human experience, confronting the reader with situations in which there are no easy answers. Yet the writing retains a joy in life. At times both humorous and emotive, it reveals the beauty of the everyday and the pathos of the ordinary. A book that crosses boundaries, this is one of the few books on the topic which will have you reading into the small hours of the morning, eager to discover the secret worlds of the characters whose lives illustrate its themes.

Review: "Caroline Brazier's "Guilt: An exploration" presents us with a unique and intricate meeting of the fictional world of a young girl and her friends growing up, with a non-fictional analysis of guilt. I love the pace of the book. Gradually, as each character in the story is introduced and brought to life, the narrative builds and increasingly draws you in. The journey the story takes you on stirs up many feelings - some more welcome than others - as it flows in and around Caroline Brazier's skilful and insightful analysis of guilt. This is one of those very rare books that works on different levels - a gripping novel that I couldn't put down, a moving and haunting experience, and a work to slowly savour and be inspired by. Quite brilliant"

Exploring eating issues: a month long course

We (Amida Trust) are launching a month long course looking at attitudes to food, eating and body image. The programme includes exploratory exercises, guided meditations, and theoretical material based on the insights derived from Buddhist psychology. Participants join a supported peer group. Enrolment will be ongoing, with the first participants starting after Christmas.

This month long programme helps you to look at your eating behaviour and your relationship with your body in new ways. Through daily activities and reflections it helps you to understand some of the factors behind compulsive or restricted patterns of eating and to develop strategies to change your behaviour around food.

The multi-media course uses meditations, work charts, guided fantasy exercises and practical experiments. It also contains theoretical and inspirational material related to the subject. Participants join an on-line support group and are given access to many resources. They remain registered after completion of the programme thus having access to an ongoing community of peers.

Check out details and register through the web page on:
http://www.buddhistpsychology.info/eatingonline.html

Please pass this message on to your friends or groups

Thank you -- www.amidatrust.com

The Amida Bodhi Retreat: distance participation by video continues

The video streaming from The Buddhist House has been a great success. I was able to connect from 7:15 - 9:30 this morning for Morning Service and the Entry into the Amida School ceremony. We've been joined from Singapore, Texas, Israel and many other places around the world.

And there's more to come - received an email mid morning and was able to watch the Q&A session and Mid day service:

Bodhi Retreat Video Schedule

We're now about half way into the Bodhi Retreat, and just getting to grips with live video streaming, log on to www.amidatrust.ning.com to tune in to our live events.

Today 11.15 GMT Q&A with Dharmavidya David Brazier

            13.00 GMT Midday service

             17.00 GMT Tai Shi Chi Chanting

Tomorrow 5th December

             7.20 GMT Sutra Chanting
              8.00 GMT Morning Service
             12.30 GMT Midday Service
              16.00 GMT Freeform Nembutsu

Saturday 6th December
 
             7.20 GMT Sutra Chanting
              8.00 GMT Morning Service
             9.00 GTM Shu-Admissions ceremony
             12.00 GMT Service

Sunday 7th December

            7.20 GMT Sutra Chanting
              8.00 GMT Morning Service
             9.00 GTM Ordination Ceremony
           12.00 GTM Quan Yin Chanting

Monday 8th Decmeber BODHI DAY

          6.45 Sutra Chanting
          7.00 Service
          8.00 five hour nembutsu chanting
          15.20 closing ceremony

live - 24 hour nembutsu, from mid-day 1st december (gmt)

I'll be following the 24 hour chanting at The Buddhist House. Kaspa emailed to say:

In a couple of hours we begin our annual Bodhi Retreat, a time of coming together and celebration. As ever we begin with our 24 hour chanting session, this year we'll be streaming video live from The Buddhist House. You can access the video at both www.amidatrust.com and on friends of Amdia at www.amidatrust.ning.com.

Also, new on Friends of Amida, the Amida chat room. I'll be logged in there over the 24 hours, feel free to log in and say namo amida bu!

Andy's Trees

Trees have been planted at Amida France by the Amida Amitaryas, in memory of Amida Newcastle sangha member, Andy Whyte, who died on January 3rd, 2007

The Amitaryas dug and planted two apple, a pear, a plum, two figs and a kiwi in Andy's name this weekend at Amida France

::read more and see the photograph

Previously fruit trees have been planted in his name at Tithandizane in Zambia, and we have bought a Japanese bell, which we use in ceremonies at Amida Newcastle ::link