I am looking for volunteer translators into Russian, Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese, Portughese, Italian, Bulgarian, (or ANY other language), for my books. For any information and details you can contact me at josho_adrian@yahoo.com
Copyright@ Adrian Gheorghe Cirlea (Josho Adrian Cirlea)
ATTENTION! Those who use passages from my books and articles on this website must mention the source, and provide a link to it.
The role of a teacher is to make things simple and this is exactly what
I’m trying to do through my books. I pick and choose that which is easy to
understand from the many volumes of the sacred texts and organize and explain
them in such a way so that both the idiot and the scholar can understand and
receive faith (shinjin).
I also try to make useful connections between various Masters and their
teachings. For example, in this book I show that Honen and his disciple
Shinran, spoke the same language of faith and essentially taught the same
teaching although sometimes the words and context are different.
Among the many sayings of Honen, I chose a few in this book and my other
books, that I consider to be very important and which can serve as a standard
of reading and understanding him in our Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu
Buddhism.
Click here if you wish to download the free online edition in pdf,
My
Dharma friend Cheusa Wend (77) from USA donated this beautiful big nenju (mala/Buddhist
rosary) of around one meter and a half to Amidaji temple Romania in the name of
her late husband Koun Eb Whipple, and her parents Phyllis Latham Stoner and
William Richard Stoner. May all their obstacles be removed and may they create
indestructible connections with Amida Buddha, entrust to Him, say His Name and
wish to be born in His Pure Land!
The
nenju now adorns the hands of the statue of Amida Buddha in the Amidado (Amida
Hall) of Amidaji temple Romania until we decide where to keep it. We intend to
use it in some ceremonies, perhaps in chanting the Nembutsu in a circle, and
other liturgies to express faith in Amida Buddha and our gratitude for being
saved as we are.
As
you may know, Amidaji follows the wise and compassionate
instructions of the late 23rd Monshu of Nishi Hongwanji temple, Shōnyo Shōnin
(Kosho Ohtani)[1], who encouraged non-Japanese
Nembutsu followers to organize themselves independently from Japan, and who
agreed with the first non-Japanese ordinations done in Europe by Rev Harry
Pieper (Shaku Shōgon Hōshi)[2]
and Rev Jean Earacle (Shaku Jôan)[3].
In the same spirit initiated by Shōnyo Shōnin of sincere aspiration to spread
the authentic Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teachings in a non-Japanese environment,
Amidaji affirms the right to have its own ordination platform. Thus, a
candidate for monkhood (priesthood) can receive his or her ordination from any
of the monks or nuns affiliated with Amidaji after a serious examination and
going through the ceremony of ordination that we can held at any of our temples
or dojos.
I
have never imagined that one day I will write something against the Dalai Lama,
and believe me that I find no joy doing it now. Whenever I heard somebody
criticizing him I used to point out his good parts, especially his contribution
to the salvation of the Tibetan schools in exile, the printing and spreading of
various useful books, etc. However, what I saw today shocked me and disgusted me
so much that I realized keeping silence would make me an accomplice to
something terribly evil.
Here
is what happened! Please watch this video carefully for at least ten times, as
I myself did,
Yes,
dear friends, the Dalai Lama is kissing a child on his mouth, then he says “suck
my tongue” and approaches him in a perverse manner with his tongue out of his
mouth!
All
of them passed the necessary examination within Amidaji and have proved to be
dedicated followers, doing various activities to help many people entrust to
Amida Buddha and hear the orthodox Jodo Shinshu Dharma we teach in our school.
Daigan and Camilla Jishin do a wonderful work with the Youtube channel in Spanish, and meet with people interested in Jodo Shinshu in Montevideo, Shingyo Yuri with
his collegues Hojun Nikita and Chisho Valentin work tirelessly at Russian
translations and at administering the Amidaji group on VK where there are around
400 readers , while Gansen John Welch has narrated my books and wrote many Dharma essays and poems that are useful to many people, thus helping a lot
those who have difficulties in reading.
Among
the three lay teachers it is sure that Daigan will receive monk (priest)ordination within our Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism next year.
May
all beings create indestructible connections with Amida Buddha, entrust to Him,
say His Name and wish to be born in His Pure Land!
Recently, I was very pleased to welcome two of my Dharma friends and readers from Taiwan in May and September 2022.
We chanted Nembutsu and had many meaningful Dharma talks. As you know, Amidaji is open to visitors who are in a learning mood for its conservative and orthodox teaching style.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you plan for a visit!
Last month I installed a stove on wood in Amidado Hall of Amidaji temple. This makes services and teaching activities easier during the cold season. Thank you very much to all who donated to make this possible.
Please continue to support Amidaji temple!
Click here if you wish to make a donation or become a patron (constant monthly supporter) as there are still many things to be done:
After
I finished the outside thermal insulation (click here to read) I painted the walls and added some
tiles on the concrete platform which help against water infiltration. You can
see in the photos bellow all the phases of the work process, including the materials I
bought.
Also, I must continue with the plan
for this year that I presented to you in my first post of 2021 (click here toread): add a stove inside Amidado and library, buy new doors and windows for
the library and accommodation place, build a gate, add water in the whole
courtyard of Amidaji, buy firewood for winter, pay some taxes and many other things that are too many to
mention.
Amidado and the other buildings of Amidaji
If you wish to help me please donate
using this PayPal box:
I’ve
made some important steps forward in the construction of Amidaji since my last post on this topic, by adding the thermal insulation on the outside walls
of Amidado (Amida Hall). You can see how this hall looks now in the left photo. Bellow I am presenting you all the phases of the process. I had to pay a professional worker to do all these things because I have no technical skills.
Now
I need to add a few layers of pre-paint materials and then paint it. I also
need to add some tiles that will help against water infiltration.
There are some other technical things to do but I don't know how to explain it because I am not a professional. The worker knows
what to do and I need to buy new materials indicated by him and pay him more for the next phase. Also, I must continue with the plan for this year that I presented to you in my last post (click here to read), add a stove inside Amidado and library, buy new doors and windows for the library and accommodation place, build a gate, pay some taxes and many other things that are too many to mention.
If you wish to help me please donate using this PayPal box:
or use other methods (Bank accounts, Revolut, etc) from this link (click here). Any small help is appreciated and very much needed.
Rev
Oku Kyokai of Zuikoji temple in Osaka visited Amidaji to renew our long Dharma
friendship. He is the one who offered the statue we keep in Amidado (Amida
Hall), the scroll in the library and various ritual objects. Almost all the
robes and kesa I have here were kindly offered by him, including the two that I
am wearing in the photos[1]. I also offered him copies
of my books in English.
Rev
Oku belongs to Nishi Hongwanji but this is not obstacle to our friendship. I
and Amidaji is opened for collaboration and friendly relations with all people
who respect our conservative and orthodox style. Rev Kobai too, a Nishi
Hongwanji priest and scholar, is my friend. I also haven’t interrupted my
friendship and letter exchange with other priests in the same branch.
This year I had very
few funds so I haven’t been able to do anything until now, but I hope that with
your help I will resume the work at the temple. Here is what I need to do next:
1) Add thermal
insulation on the outside walls of Amidado (Hall of Amida). This is my main
priority because otherwise the walls will be damaged from rain and snow. Basically,
I need to make it look the same as the other two wooden houses in Amidaji
complex (the library and accommodation place – see the photos). The estimative
cost for the thermal insulation is around 600-700 euro
-2) Build a
gate for the temple courtyard. Presently if anybody visits Amidaji with a car
or by foot I open a section of fence so that he can enter the yard. The
estimative cost is around 500 euro
Amidado (left), library (far left) and accommodation place (right)
3) Add better doors and windows to the library and accommodation place – the same type
of door and window I added to the Amidado last year. That type of door and
window is expansive but is a better insulation for the cold season and keeps
the warm inside. The estimative cost for the two doors and windows is around 600
– 800 euro
A 4) Add a stove on wood in the Amidado so that I can make religious services during the
cold season. The estimative cost for installing a stove in Amidado is around 400
euro
-5) Add a
stove on wood in the library so that people can also study during winter. The
estimative cost for installing a stove in the library is around 300 euro.
I also have many other things to do like paying some taxes for the
buildings and land which are also urgent, repair and extend the fence (perhaps
even making a better fence), a better bathroom, repair the living house near
Amidado courtyard, etc
The list is long and I struggle every year to do something and
advance a little. However, the situation is very difficult and my funds are limited.
If anybody wishes to help me, he or she can donate by using this
PayPal box:
Other methods of donation (Bank transfer, Revolut, etc) can be
found here (click here).
Since 2020 I've had many online discussions on zoom and other platforms with students and readers from all over the world that prefer this kind of interaction. I also started regular meetings with some of my Sangha members where we discuss various topics and answer to questions together.
As I think that some of the talks might be useful and because many readers said they wanted me to appear more often on Youtube, I've decided to create a new playlist - DHARMA TALKS where I will post fragments from my meetings as well as personal reflections. Please excuse my broken English as it's easier for me to write than to speak.
Please subscribe to my channel and to this playlist so that you can see my new posts. Of course, I will remain available for students and readers who prefer email or Facebook communication.
On my Youtube channel you can find all my audio books, various teachings, recitations, as well as the poems and essays of Gansen John Welch Sensei from Australia.
The happy couple - Myoko Adelina and Monshin Sorinel
The
first wedding was officiated at Amidaji temple on Sunday October 18th, after the couple attended a three day Nembutsu retreat.
Here
are some photos and explanations.
The
service started with a short Nembutsu recitation followed by the Three Invitations when we invited Amida, Shakyamuni and all Buddhas to enter the Amidado (Hall of Amida) and spread petals of roses to welcome them.
Then
we continued with the Nembutsu liturgy of our temple with the couple making oshoko (offering incense), bowing towards the altar and to each other, saying their vows and drinking together bitter tea from the same
cup.
Do
you want a Sangha which focuses on solving “the greatest matter of afterlife”
through simple faith in Amida Buddha?
Do
you want a Sangha which is not ashamed to be religious, devotional and faith
oriented?
Do
you want a Sangha which is not affiliated to the ideological agenda of political
groups?
Do
you want a healthy Dharmic environment focused on listening deeply to the Jodo
Shinshu teaching as it was taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, Shinran Shonin and
Rennyo Shonin?
Do
you want a place without modernists and false teachers who are not capable to
accept the existence of Amida Buddha and His Pure Land?
If
your answer to the above is YES, then Amidaji International Temple might be the
right place for you! We accept members from any country and we intend to
develop a genuine Sangha of orthodox Jodo Shinshu Buddhists all over the world.
Please
read carefully the information from the above links and think deeply before
joining us.Do not hurry. Life and death
is serious business and we are looking for dedicated people.
Any place where unenlightened beings meet needs some kind of
organization, especially if it is a Dharma place. In our case, if we want to preserve
and transmit the Jodo Shinshu teaching, we need a good team of people who can
accomplish that goal. However, a team cannot work without common rules that
will help us focus on our religious goal, so I hope this Constitution will
provide the administrative base, rules and regulations for our aspirations.
During many years of monkhood in which I have closely watched
the ways of various Jodo Shinshu temples and communities I realized that a
reform in both doctrinal and administration matters is very much needed.
A
great gift arrived today at Amidaji from Rev Oku Kyokai of Zuikoji temple in
Osaka. I am very grateful to him for this surprise. He is also the one who offered
us the Amida scroll we have in the Hondo. After the completion of the
Amidado (Hall of Amida), the statue will be placed there and the scroll will remain in
the Hall where it is now
and which will be transformed into library.
Namo Amida Bu
As you may know, last year I built the concrete platform and metal frame for Amidado (Hall of Amida). These days I finished the construction of the roof. The total amount I paid for two workers and materials was 750 euros.
I needed to start with the roof this year because it was cheaper than the walls. I will, of course, continue with the walls as soon as I raise the necessary amount which will probably be arround 2000 euros (double walls filled with thermal insulation, door, windows, exterior insulation and paint, workers, etc).
As I saw a lot of unwise statements made by various Buddhist priests and centers, including Buddhist Churches of America, in the support of the racist movement called "Black Lives Matters" while they say absolutely nothing about the violence and killings made under this slogan in many American cities, and because Amidaji has many readers and supporters in USA, I decided to publish here what I already stated on my Facebook Page.
I
think its time for all Buddhist teachers to STOP obeying politicians and STOP
saying bullshit like "stay home, save lives". Enough is enough!
Don't
you realize with all your wisdom that this lockdown is not physically,
mentally, or spiritually healthy for your followers? Don't you realize that we
can't sacrifice freedom of religious assembly indefinitely for the fear of
catching a flu? Illness is part of life, and we cannot stop living, practicing,
and coming to temples for fear of illness.
Don't
you realize that all these insane dictatorial measures will, in the end,
destroy our communities? A Sangha also needs actual face to face meetings and
people must come together for practice and services. Keeping our followers in
their homes for two months is NOT compassion, but STUPIDITY.
Wake
up and start acting like teachers by promoting the physical, mental, and
spiritual well being of your followers!
It
seems that I am one of the few Buddhist priests and teachers that goes against
the stream and advise people to go outside and breath fresh air.
Nowadays,
Facebook is filled with priests posting profile images with the message, ”stay home, save a life” and they think this is showing Compassion. No, it's NOT!
This is the offering of fear and stupidity! I do not imply that this is their
true intention, but it's what they actually do by their actions.
To
teach people to give up their liberty and rights because of stupid virosis, no
more dangerous than a flu means to teach them to be stupid and fearful. This is
NOT what I teach and NOT the way I live.
Go
out, dear friends. You need to be seen by the sun, receive vitamin D, and enjoy
life. If you stay inside as the stupid authorities ask you to do, your immune
system will suffer and you will get sick easier.
I
do not say go and kiss people on the street nor I advise you to not be careful.
I only encourage you to treat this coronavirus with wisdom and non-fear. Don't
stay home all day! Go out and save lives by showing that sunlight is good and
healthy.
Go
out and show others that life must be lived freely and with dignity, not locked
up in a room and dancing like cage birds at the windows.
Yours
in Namo Amida Bu,
Josho
Adrian Cirlea, resident priest of Amidaji temple
The editorial policy of this website is to present only the orthodox teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Before I link to any other website, I investigate that website to make sure that they share the same attitude. I reject any website that presents false or divergent teachings, or that links to other websites that present false or divergent teachings.