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whispers from the bamboo grove - amida newsletter 23

Upcoming Amida Events around the World

Retreat with Dharmavidya
Friendship on the Path
24 - 28 February 2015
Venue: Amida Mandala
:: details here

Dharmavidya
will be speaking at 

- the First World Congress for Existential Psychotherapy
14 - 17 May 2015 in London
 

- the conference
'Mindfulness and Compassion: The Art and Science of Contemplative Practice'
3 - 7 June 2015, California

http://www.mcc2015.org
 

- the ITZI Conference, Madrid, 25 - 27 September 2015 

http://www.itziconference.eu

Amida Birmingham
Meetings on 14 February, 14 March, 11 April at 10 am
For further details, venue etc, email Reverend Sanghamitra
:: facebook

Amida Hawai’i

Monthly Amida Hawaiʻi sangha gatherings/practices and the Bodhi Buds youth group:  Sangha Gatherings 4th Friday of month - 6:30 - 7:00 Tea, Treats & Talk Story, and 7:00 - 8:30pm Pureland Buddhist practice.
Bodhi Buds youth group meets from 9 - noon, on the 4th Saturday, every other month.
:: website
:: facebook

Amida London, UK
Sangha meetings: Tuesday evenings 7 - 9 at "Zen in London", Basement Flat, 486 Caledonian Road N7 9RP
For further details of meetings contact Reverend Padmaghosa

Amida Mandala, Malvern, UK
After much hard work and activity during the last couple of months, the temple is now up and running and offering a wonderful variety of events.

Weekly Scheduled Events:
Wednesday evening service, Friday morning service, Sunday morning service, Sunday evening sharing circle
:: further details here
Find out about retreat days, open mornings, art events, volunteer work sessions, :: here
:: website
:: mailing list
:: contact details
:: facebook

 

whispers from the bamboo grove - amida newsletter 21

News from
the Amida Order
October 5th, 2014

Here's the smart updated Amida website :: link
(thanks to Kaspalita)
and here's the Friends of the Amida Order social network :: link
*****

Adrian Thompson has just published the next

Running Tide 32

You'll find a link to a high resolution on-line version :: here.

If you prefer a paper copy so you can relax and peruse it, with a nice cup of tea (my own favourite option, I must admit), then email Adrian :: here

Adrian says:
"I am in the process of having some copies of this edition printed in full colour.  The cost will be £2.50 + P&P.  Unfortunately, at the moment I can only offer UK delivery.  If you are interested please e-mail me privately (see above)"
*****

The Move That Moves The Heart

Colin McDougall, Mitra with the Amida Order, writes:

 

"With the winter night's rapidly approaching it is almost time to say farewell to Sujatin as she and her husband Peter head north towards their new home in  Scotland. Although I am pleased to see the happiness sparkle in their eyes as they look forward to setting up their new home, it is also with a heavy heart that I bid them farewell. A bitter sweet occasion no less.

The home of Sujatin and Peter {The Amida Sanctuary at Beacon House} has been the light where Amida's Newcastle Sangha have met for around 12 years approximately. Beacon House being the point of contact to the Buddha's teaching and the wider Amida community. A place where at a personal level, I have found sanctuary, when life's events have become more than a day to day challenge.  The welcome which I, and many others, have received during this period, has on many occasions been a heart felt experience. Its is with much gratitude that I thank both Sujatin and Peter. Not only for opening their home but also their hearts. Love and warm wishes."
Colin
Namo Amida Bu

*****

Dharmavidya David Brazier is visiting our Hawai'i sangha

from October 2 - 15.

This weekend (3 - 5 October) he is leading a retreat, which includes chanting, meditation, discussion and instruction focused on expressing the Dharma through silence, words and symbolic action, including instruction in the principles and practice of ritual, not as a dead form but as a living language of expression of faith and devotion, as meditation in action.

The retreat also includes advice on the giving and receiving of Dharma talks and guidance.

Various sangha members are participating in a Recommitment/Progressions Ceremony.

This is the Amida USA website :: link
*****

Whispers from the Bamboo Grove - Amida Newsletter Number 13

Featuring Acharya Modgala Louise Duguid's involvement in interfaith work in Islington:

:: link

after the first taste of pureland practice

Jnanamati writes:

This is a poem penned by someone who has been here all week for the practice intensive. He is new to Pureland practice and asked me not to add his name, but perhaps will join the network at some point in the future.

In this space where

An eternity can be momentary

And a moment can be eternal

We aspire to be

Forest within the jungle

And oaks between the creepers.

Buddha bless this

North London Pureland

Wgere you can offer as gifts

Thoughts, senses and emotions

To the lucid One

Of pure light

Through Quan Yin

May the practices be

For the benefit of all

And inspire us to be

Better ambassadors

Of love.

Namo Amida Bu

Namo Amida Bu, Jnanamati

::link

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

the big question

Richard writes:

Amida is the context in which we all live. This ‘Being Without Measure’ that all life unfolds within. Consider the dinosaurs, some of which stood the height of 3 double-decker busses; or the infinitely tiny virus, multitudes of which dance beneath our skin. All the breathing in and out of existence balanced upon Amida’s fingertip. All of which is innocent of malice. Only the Human animal and what it brings to the banquet gives us cause to pause.

When I invoke the Name Buddha, Amida, Christ or God, I do so tentatively, as shorthand pointing toward what is Sacred to my understanding - the quickening source of life itself in all its forms.

We live in a time of war, in a time of hanging on to wealth at any price. What a futile misuse of creativity and resources we spend on warfare. Weapons of mass destruction indeed. A genii let loose, and sold to the highest bidder.