Tuesday, November 20, 2018

A bathroom for the cold season is now available at Amidaji temple

this is how the bathroom
looks now
this is how the bathroom looks now


For many people to have a bathroom is no big deal, but here at Amidaji was something very much needed, especially for the cold season. Until now visitors who stayed in retreat for a few days in spring and summer could use the solar shower, but there was no facility for the cold season and winter. Now I finally could be able to build a small bathroom from the donations I gathered from my readers. The materials and workers I had to hire costed me around 707 euro. However, I still need to add a wooden door, a small window to this bathroom, and a radiator which will probably be done at the end of this week or the next.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Shakyamuni Buddha’s supreme appearance and the reason for His coming to this world – commentary on the section 3 of the Larger Sutra


Shakyamuni Buddha with
Amida Buddha
on His head 
fragment from my commentary on the Larger Sutra 
                     
                              
Something very important happens with Shakyamuni Buddha just before starting to teach this sutra, and we must understand its significance:

“At that time all the senses of the World-honored One radiated joy, His entire body appeared serene and glorious, and His august countenance looked most majestic.”[1]

Ananda noticed this and realized that there is a reason, a holy intention of Shakyamuni for manifesting such a wonderful appearance like never before:

Friday, November 2, 2018

"Thus have I heard" - The time and place of the deliverance of this sutra, commentary on section 1 of the Larger Sutra



Shakyamuni Buddha teaching
the Larger Sutra

“Thus have I heard” is the starting formula of any genuine teaching (sutra) of Shakyamuni Buddha. It represents the testimony of Ananda and other direct disciples of the Enlightened One, as well as their successors, that what they transmitted to us, the future generations, is the authentic teaching of Shakyamuni himself, and not something they invented. These words are always followed by the historical place where the sutra was delivered – in our case, the Vulture Peak in Rajagṛha, and the audience gathered there to listen to it:

“Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying on Vulture Peak in Rājagṛha with a large company of twelve thousand monks. They were all great sages who had already attained supernatural powers. Their names included the following: Venerable Ājnāta kauṇḍinya, Venerable Aśvajit, Venerable Vāṣpa, Venerable Mahānāma, Venerable Bhadrajit, Ven erable Vimala, Venerable Yaśodeva, Venerable Subāhu, Venerable Pūrṇaka, Venerable Gavāṃpati, Venerable Uruvilvākāśyapa, Venerable Gayākāśyapa, Venerable Nadīkāśyapa, Venerable Mahākāśyapa, Venerable Śāriputra, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Venerable Kapphiṇa, Venerable Mahākauṣṭhila, Venerable Mahākātyāyana, Venerable Mahācunda, Venerable Pūrṇa maitrāyaṇīputra, Venerable Aniruddha, Venerable Revata, Venerable Kimpila, Venerable Amogharāja, Venerable Pārāyaṇika, Venerable Vakkula, Venerable Nanda, Venerable Svāgata, Venerable Rāhula, and Venerable Ānanda. All of these were elders.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

A Buddhist idea for Halloween - the Demon chanting Nembutsu


Oni no Nembutsu - the demon
 chanting Nembutsu
If you celebrate Halloween and you are a Nembutsu follower you can make yourself and wear this image of Oni no Nembutsu or demon converted to Nembutsu teaching.
This Oni no Nembutsu is wearing the robes of a wandering priest, representing the idea that although blind passions might temporarily be overcame, their source remains in the heart of humans. However, we are saved by Amida Buddha exactly as we are, so the demon is actually assured of birth in the Pure Land.if he entrusts to Him.
The hammer that the demon holds in his hand and the tray hanged on his neck were used by some wandering priests to hold the rhythm during Nembutsu recitation.
Wearing this during Halloween (you can even beat the tray and recite Nembutsu) and explaining to people what it actually represents, you can help others make a connection with Amida Buddha.  Even Halloween can be an occasion of spreading Amida Dharma, if you chose to celebrate it. 
Have fun! 😃
Namo Amida Bu 

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Pure Land poems by Gansen John Welch


Gansen John Welch
Gansen John Welch is a member of Amidaji temple and a close Dharma friend. He is also the narrator of my books. He already finished recording the audio version of The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn the Mind Towards Amida Dharma (click here to listen) and The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land (click here to listen)
He is now working on the audio version of my newest book, The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism - click here to see the playlist. 

Here you can read about his spiritual journey - My Path to True Shin Buddhism

Here in this playlist you can listen to all his poems on Pure  Land Buddhism:



Friday, October 19, 2018

Beautiful religious gifts from Izumiya Company (Japan) for Amidaji temple



Various religious items were sent to Amidaji temple by Izumiya Company (Japan) through Rev Oku Kyokai of Zuikoji temple (Osaka): two candle holders (rosokutate), two flower vase (kebyo), one metal incense burner (kanagoro), golden fabric to put on the altar table, and other beautiful things that are too many to mention. In these photos you see how I upgraded the altar of Amidaji with the new items.
I am very grateful for this unexpected presents and sponsorship.
Thank you, Izumiya Company and Rev Oku Kyokai.
Namo Amida Bu 
Thank you! Namo Amida Bu 

Dharma talks on my youtube channel