lotusinthemud

such positive feedback for dharmavidya's book

I am reading now your last book Who Loves Dies Well. As far as I have advanced with my reading until now, I think it is your best book. I also think it is one of the best books available - if not the best I know - about PureLand Buddhism in the English language.

::read more

On Vox: today, among the things I am grateful for....

    ....members of my sangha, my spiritual friends.

   

» Read more on Vox

out and about in the sunshine

Most of us at the Buddhist House have been for a walk in a nearby arboretum this afternoon. I was thrilled to find some fritillaries on a mossy bank under the trees. It was a good oportunity to talk with Susthama about the upcoming Amida activities in Hawaii.

Meanwhile I see that, back in Newcastle, Sally and Colin have been helping to bring the Irene Brazier Memorial Garden back to life after the long winter and uninviting early spring.

Amida in the Autumn Sunlight

Today has been glorious - sunny and warm, with a definite feeling of early autumn. The Pureland Gardeners will have been meeting a couple of miles away while I have sat in my bright and airy first floor drawing room, sewing wagesas for the ceremony next weekend in Sheffield, when Ray, Sue and Sudana will be joining the Amida School.

It's been so peaceful, working on my own, listening to Jan Garbarek on my Powerbook (which I'm so pleased with). And now, sewing completed, it's time to meditate.

Snaps of the sangha

Photos from Monday night:
Here are Modgala, Sally, Eric and Colin, looking at photographs of India and here are Sally and Colin with the first produce from the Irene Brazier Memorial Garden. What a happy evening.

Hang onto your hat

The Pure Land Gardeners have been working in the wind. Every week there's another development down on t' allotment.

Irene's Rose, Irene's Woodland

Colin and the Pure Land Gardeners planted a rose in memory of Dharmavidya's mother, Irene, who died a year ago. Good to hear that the rose is settling in and the garden is taking shape.

Those of us who were in Leicestershire over the weekend went on Sunday, now nominated as Irene Day, to the woodland site where she was buried and had a picnic. This was sweet and touching - many smiles and hugs and, of course, a few tears.
Update - some photos of the picnic

Irene Brazier Memorial Garden

So - Colin has just left. We've had a great time this morning, setting up the new Irene Brazier Memorial Garden weblog. The garden is in memory of Dharmavidya's mother who died a year ago. She is greatly missed. Colin used to help her in the garden - and gardens were one of her passions - when the Amida community lived in Jesmond.

Planting spuds

Colin, Sally, Rachel, Ching-Ying and Yoke-Ling are all working hard in the new garden. Here's Colin's report.