Dates: May 12 - 15, 2011
6th Living Buddhism Conference: Culturally Engaged Buddhism'
Location: 12 Coventry Road, Narborough, Leics LE19 2GR, UK
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 here 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 26 January 2011
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