Conditions for being accepted as a member of Amidaji

fragment from Amidaji Constitution

The applicant for full (adult) membership has to express the wish to become a member either verbally or in writing and promise that he/she will accept the teaching of Amidaji and observe the Constitution. Also, he must be in accord with “the conditions for being accepted as a member of Amidaji temple" as explained below. Membership can be decided by any priest or lay teacher of Amidaji sangha.

If the candidate is accepted as a full (adult) member he will attend a refuge ceremony (kieshiki) conducted by any monk or nun (or lay teacher in case a monk or nun are not available) of Amidaji sangha on which occasion he will receive a Dharma name from him and a certificate of membership. 

(online kieshiki ceremonies can be done for those who are not able to come to the temple).

A simple catechism consisting of teaching the contents of the essential of Amidaji doctrine contained in the book Amida Dharma is offered to the kieshiki candidate followed by a short oral examination. If the candidate passes the examination he or she is accepted as an adult member and is offered kieshiki ceremony.

Jodo Shinshu followers of any prior branch affiliation or without any official affiliation can become members of Amidaji as long as they observe Amidaji Constitution and regulations. If they already have a Jodo Shinshu Dharma name, they may keep it, but they must receive the Three Refuges in accordance with the teaching of Amidaji. Those who left Amidaji and wish to re-enter the sangha must receive the Three Refuges again while keeping their former Dharma name.

These are some general conditions for being accepted as a member of Amidaji temple:

1. to know and accept the doctrinal foundation of Amidaji temple as explained in the book Amida Dharma
2. to abandon any non-Buddhist religious path or faith, and among all Buddhist methods to follow exclusively the Jodo Shinshu teaching
3. to abandon any spiritual practice, be it recitative, meditative or of any other form, and dedicate exclusively to saying the Nembutsu of the Primal Vow[1].
4. to have faith in Amida Buddha or sincerely aspire to faith
5. to wish to be born in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha after death
6. to not embrace, promote or support wrong views and divergences from the Jodo Shinshu teaching as defined by Amidaji temple
7. to observe this Constitution, the rules of the temple or dojo and guide oneself in one’s daily life in accordance with the rules of behaviour implied in the Ryogemon and by the Eight Precepts of Faith mentioned in the Amida Dharma.

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[1] Breathing techniques or mental and physical relaxation exercises which do not contain any spiritual or religious elements are not included in this category.