Amidaji members: Shaku Hogen (United Kingdom)

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My Dharma name is Shaku Hogen and I live in Bristol, England.

Although I was brought up in the Salvation Army, to be honest, as a boy I had little interest in spiritual matters.  I was a believer in scientific materialist.  But in my late teens I saw a film about Carl Jung’s mystical experiences and heard a radio programme about the Buddha which opened a window in my mind.  My spiritual search began.  This was before the internet, so I read all I could find at the library, and haunted many bookshops for answers.  And although I had a career in engineering, my search became the most urgent concern of my life - “the great matter of life and death”.  Mixing and matching teachings from a wide range of spiritual traditions was enthralling as it gave me hints and glimpses of the goal, but it was also confusing, and I quickly realised I needed to find a solid tradition and a practice. 

Members of Amidaji: Chikai Ana Galo (Uruguay)

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      of Amidaji members

EN/ESP
Hello my Dharma name is Chikai, which means "The Ocean of Wisdom". (of Amida's Primal Vow)
My name is Ana Galo Suárez, I am 47 years old and I live in my native country Uruguay.
When I was about 8 years old my mother bought me a children's Bible, I think that channeled the sense of faith in something bigger than me. I vividly recall some personal religious experiences related to the perception I had of a supreme reality. These thoughts were so deep that they moved me to tears.
When I was 10 years old I reflected a lot upon religious matters. I  eagerly sought high and low for the Truth, the connection with a Supreme reality that I had only an intuition about but I couldn't  name or comprehend.
I had some supernatural and wonderful experiences that I relate to spiritual dimensions as these profound experiences caused a mysterious feeling of compassion inside me.
Everything related to Chinese culture attracted me and when I was about 23 years old I began to practice Self Defense, part of the martial arts tradition of  Kung Fu.

On the home altar (obutsudan) and making offerings to Amida Buddha

altar arrangements type 1

fragment from my book 

Worshipping Amida Buddha - Liturgies and Ceremonies of Amidaji Temple 

 The image or statue you put in the center of the altar must be Amida Buddha   because in our tradition we rely exclusively on Amida for our birth in the Pure   Land. Chose the image you like most and you feel comfortable with. We prefer   a standing Amida as you see in the photos bellow, because this better signifies   that He is an active Buddha coming to save you. The position of the hands in   the classic Amida images of Jodo Shinshu school mean “don’t be afraid, come   as you are”. The 48 rays of lights coming from Amida’s head represent His 48   vows. Those are also oriented from Amida to you. Everything in Amida   iconography of Jodo Shinshu suggests His active and unconditional salvation. 

If you wish you can also use a scroll with Nembutsu written in Chinese characters or in your own language. 

Transcript of Amidaji Sangha meeting on Zoom (November 8th 2020)

             

Rev Josho Adrian Cirlea on zoom in Amidado
(Hall of Amida) of Amidaji temple 

 Because members of Amidaji are from   different   countries and they can't all visit Amidaji in   the   same time we organize online meetings on Zoom   twice a month. First we have a Nembutsu liturgy  and  then a question and answer session. Here is a   revised and proofread fragment from the previous   meeting. Participants are only given their Buddhist   names.  

 Joshin:

 One of the things that I'm finding amazing is the   Other Power of Amida. And how the more you   become a person of faith, you realize that faith in Amida is not from you. It can't be from you. And it comes directly from Amida and I see so much proof of that, in my faith. When it's like everything else in my life is in upheaval and change and flux. The only thing that remains unchanging is my faith in Amida Buddha. And it just I still find that amazing. 

On why it is important to defend all aspects of the Buddha Dharma

Somebody asked me why I put so much energy in defending general Buddhist teachings when all that matters in our tradition is faith in Amida.

My strategy is simple. If we allow modernists to destroy only a little part of the Dharma they will grow confident and start destroying all the teachings of various Dharma gates. They are already doing that as they attack anything that does not conform with their atheistic or secularist ideologies. They attack for example the doctrine or rebirth and life after death as well as the teaching on the transcendent reality of Amida and His Pure Land. They also try to destroy the teachings on morality and family duties. They are like rats who enter a house from all parts.

Amidaji members: Joshin Dave Kruemcke

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(video: Joshin Dave Kruemcke declaring his allegiance to Jodo Shinshu Amidaji)

I was born at midnight. September 15, 1960 in Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas.

My father was a professional engineer, my mother a "homemaker". We moved to a Southwest suburb of Sharpstown when I was 3 years old. I was born into a very strict Southern Baptist family.

My father was a very passive-aggressive man. Hugging me one minute, beating me with whatever he could get his hands on the next.

Spiritual biographies of Amidaji members

At the moment I am writing these lines Amidaji has members in 13 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Romania, Russia, Germany, Uruguay, Chile, Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Cook Islands. 

Here are the spiritual biographies of only some of them like who they were before, how they found Jodo Shinshu, etc. More will follow soon. 

Hokai Sylvie Kirsch (Cook Islands)

Rev Josho Adrian Cirlea (Romania) 

 

Gansen John Welch Sensei (Australia)

Joshin Dave Kruemcke (USA) 

Koshin Jose Pomales (USA)

Koshin Samuel Jacob Weaver (USA)

 

Keshin Maria Zita D'Abreu (Australia) 

 

Shaku Hogen (United Kingdom) 

Daigan Alejandro Macia (Uruguay)

Chikai Ana Galo (Uruguay) 

 

Hozan Elmir Bratic (USA)

 

Shaku Kishin (Germany)  

 

Shaku Hōryū Stephen (USA)

Shaku Daishin (Germany)

 

Shaku Hojun (Russia)  

Shingyo Yuri (Russia) 

 

Gansen Catalin Suru (Romania) 

Dodatsu Nerio Quinones (Argentina)

Jinshin Catalina (Romania) 

Shaku Shoshin (Philipinnes)

Myokaku Fernando Andaluz (Mexico)

Kosho Arana  (Colombia)

Amidaji is open to international membership

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.

Click here to read Amida Dharma –the essential doctrine of Amidaji.

Click here to download our Constitution, find everything you need to know about the purpose of Amidaji, activities, membership, priesthood, organization, etc.

Click here to read the conditions to be accepted as a member of Amidaji

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.

Namo Amida Bu 

Amidaji members: Gansen Catalin Suru (Romania)

Josho and Gansen Catalin Suru

at Amidaji

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My name is Gansen Catalin Suru. I became a Jodo Shinshu follower   because  of the simplicity of the teachings and the orthodox/authentic     style  of  Amidaji. I feel at home here, in this sangha, and I enjoy the true   spirit of camaraderie among the members. I could not be in another place   for two simple reasons: I can’t attain Enlightenment through my own   power and Amida’s Primal Vow was made especially for me, so I can’t   refuse Him, like you cannot refuse somebody who is saving your life.   Amida Buddha is not only saving my life from this body, but from all the   deaths of samsaric dream, so it’s impossible for me to refuse His Call.  

Gansen repairing the
electricity of Amidaji

Before coming to Jodo Shinshu I was not so much   interested in religion, so I can't say I have a spiritual past. However, my eyes were opened by the Buddha Dharma to the hidden reality beyond the ordinary appearances and made me ask questions that I had never asked before. After understanding the teachings on karma, rebirth and Nirvana, aspiration for the permanent true Reality of Buddhahood was awakened in me and I realized that the only Path to reach it is through the Compassionate Vow of Amida. 

Namo Amida Bu,

Gansen Catalin Suru

Gansen Catalin Suru always comes on his bike to Amidaji

Gansen Catalin Suru is the electrician of Amidaji. Whenever there is any problem with the electrical system or the computer, he comes and fixes it. I always call him "Boss" ("Sefu" in Romanian, "Jefe" in Spanish) Its a nickname I gave him out of respect and gratitude. 

Members of Amidaji: Shingyo Yuri (Russia).

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UPDATE: Since August 23, 2022 Shingyo has been appointed as lay teacher of Amidaji sangha

My Dharma name is Shaku Shingyo. I am from Russia. I am a member of Amida-ji International Temple since I received kieshiki from my sensei Rev. Josho,  back in June 2020.

My spiritual quest, which lasted almost 30 years, began in early childhood, when my inner world literally exploded when I accidentally got immersed in a kind of meditation, during which I realized that I am not a body. Since then, I started my search.

Amidaji members: Jinshin Catalina (Romania)

Jinshin Catalina

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Spiritual biographies of Amidaji members

My name is Jinshin Catalina. I started my spiritual search early in life and six years ago, I joined Amidaji sangha. Buddhism offers me the most logical explanations of why there is suffering in the world, why I am who I am, why I was born, why I die, and it also shows me a way out of the cycle of repeated births and deaths through Amida’s Primal Vow.  It is a Path through which I no longer need to blame others for what is happening to me, and where I feel accepted as I am.

I am grateful to walk with you in the Light of Amida Buddha.

Namo Amida Bu

Members of Amidaji: Gansen John Welch Sensei (Australia)

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My Path to True Shin Buddhism 

Gansen John Welch Sensei

By Gansen John Welch

I am writing this at the request of my teacher, Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and in the hope that others may be encouraged, inspired and motivated to listen to and read Amida Dharma, find a good teacher of True Shin Buddhism and “entrust your karmic destiny entirely, utterly and completely to Amida Buddha.” This too was my motivation for narrating Josho’s excellent books and writing verses inspired by Amida Dharma.

I was born in 1958 and thus, if I live an average lifespan, I have only about 20 years left in this body. But, of course, no one (except a fully enlightened Buddha) knows exactly when or how they will die and more importantly what negative karmic seeds will ripen at the time of death causing us to be reborn in realms lower than the human realm resulting in perhaps many millions of years before again having the opportunity to benefit from Buddha Dharma. According to Shakyamuni, it is only human beings who have the best opportunity to learn and benefit from Buddha Dharma.

Members of Amidaji: Shaku Daishin (Germany)

                       

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biographies of Amidaji members

My name is Shaku Daishin. I am a member of Amida-ji International Temple since I received kieshiki from my teacher Rev. Josho, Sensei back in April 2019.

I am a Buddhist since 25 years, practiced in the tibetan Karma Kagyu and Gelug Tradition and studied Buddhist philosophy for 3.5 years under Geshe Thubten Ngawang from the Tibetan Center in Hamburg.
During all my years of practice, study and receiving Dharma Teachings from many teachers - Lamas, Rinpoches and even HH the Dalai Lama, I did not make any progress. I always failed in whatever I did and tried to practice. I even stopped all my practice and did not meditate for two years. Then I started again, because I knew my Destination was Vajra Hell, after breaking all my vows and samayas.

I started reciting the Mantra of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who is an Emanation of Amida Tatagatha. I asked for advice what I should do - and after one year Amida Buddha's light shined through and I became aware of Amida Dharma. Now I know, by the boundless compassion of Amida Buddha and His Primal Vow that I am saved. My destination is not Vajra Hell, my destination is Amida's Pure Land, where I will overcome all my hatred, my greed, my Illusions - all my blind passions.

I am so grateful to have met Rev. Josho because I know that he is teaching the true Amida Dharma as it is taught by the Venerable Master Shinran and Master Rennyo. I am grateful for being a member of Amida-ji International Temple and being a Student of Josho Sensei.
I am saved. How can i express my joy?
No more please...just a big Thank you, Amida Buddha!

"The Nembutsu alone is true and real" (Master Shinran)

*

Mi nombre es Shaku Daishin. Soy miembro del Templo Internacional Amida-ji desde que recibí kieshiki de mi maestro, el reverendo Josho Sensei en abril de 2019.

Soy budista desde hace 25 años, practiqué el Karma Kagyu tibetano y la tradición Gelug y estudié filosofía budista durante 3,5 años con Geshe Thubten Ngawang del Centro Tibetano de Hamburgo.

Durante todos mis años de práctica, estudio y recepción de Enseñanzas del Dharma de muchos maestros: Lamas, Rinpoches e incluso SS el Dalai Lama, no logré ningún progreso. Siempre fallaba en todo lo que hacía y trataba de practicar. Incluso dejé toda mi práctica y no medité durante dos años. Luego comencé de nuevo, porque sabía que mi Destino era el Infierno Vajra, después de romper todos mis votos y samayas.

Comencé a recitar el Mantra de Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), que es una Emanación de Amida Tathagata. Pedí consejo sobre lo que debía hacer, y después de un año, la luz del Buda Amida brilló y me descubrí el Dharma de Amida. Ahora sé, por la compasión ilimitada del Buda Amida y Su Voto Primordial, que soy salvado. Mi destino no es el infierno de Vajra, mi destino es la Tierra Pura de Amida, donde superaré todo mi odio, mi codicia, mis ilusiones y todas mis pasiones ciegas.

Estoy muy agradecido de haber conocido al Rev. Josho porque sé que él está enseñando el verdadero Dharma de Amida tal como lo enseñan el Venerable Maestro Shinran y el Maestro Rennyo. Estoy agradecido por ser miembro del Templo Internacional Amida-ji y ser estudiante de Josho Sensei.

Estoy salvado. ¿Cómo puedo expresar mi alegría?

No más por favor... ¡solo un gran agradecimiento al Buda Amida!

 "Solo el Nembutsu es verdadero y real"

(Maestro Shinran)

Members of Amidaji: Daigan Alejandro Macia (Uruguay)

        

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 biographies of Amidaji members

Hello Amida Dharma friends. My Dharma name is   Shaku Daigan. My civil name is Alejandro Macia. I   live in Montevideo Uruguay.

 Well, to tell you a little bit about my spiritual path I   began more than ten years ago, carrying the heavy   weight the existential questions that all (or most of   us) ask ourselves from early adolescence.   Sometimes  some people keep those hard questions   in a secret inner drawer but I dragged them around   for years and that was what led me to alcoholism   and  drug addiction and also to an acute depression.   I  could not find answers to my old questions: Who  are we in reality? Who created the universe? Why do we die and then where do we go after death? Why is there so much suffering in this existence? Why is there so much anguish and existential emptiness? Then I said to myself. "Of course we are sinners, that's why all of these bad things happen... is what the Bible says at least: that from those remote times where Eve ate the forbidden fruit in garden then we were all condemned and that is why we had to pay that sin with the penalty of death and pain for having disobeyed our God and this was the beginning of the journey for me. 

Members of Amidaji: Dodatsu Nerio Quinones (Argentina)

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(EN/ESP)

Amida, the easy Path to leave the realms of Samsara forever.

Dodatsu Nerio

On a hot February afternoon, almost a decade ago, I walked to the hotel where the newcomer to Argentina, First Ahmadi Missionary, representative of a Muslim sect, with headquarters in London, was staying. He had attended two world assemblies in the British capital invited by the authorities of that religion. Before I had been a pilgrim through countless Christian congregations and studied about Judaism. I invested money to buy books and the Torah itself at a Jewish-Orthodox bookstore.

Nothing satisfied my curiosity. I asked myself about the origins of humanity, if other advanced civilizations had existed on the planet before (from outer space or indigenous to our world). I was passionate about the literature related to these topics and I wanted to get to the bottom of the deception about Jesus Christ. The Council of Nicea in 325, the "canonical" gospels and those that the Catholic Church (founded by Emperor Constantine) did not recognize as canonical, and so on.

I became a member of many "churches" despite of that the study of each doctrinal version of Christianity and Judaism did not meet my expectations.

Constitution of Amidaji International Temple

The crest of Amidaji 

revised and updated on July 6th 2022

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. 

Monks and nuns ordinations in Amidaji Branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

Fragment from Amidaji Constitution

(last revised July 6th 2022)

Click here to read about the first ordination 

in Amidaji branch of 

Jodo Shinshu Buddhism !

Monks and nuns are men and women who received the tokudo (monk/nun ordination) from any monk and nun in Amidaji system. Monks and nuns of Amidaji are called monks and nuns of the Last Dharma Age or monks in name only (nominal monks) as well as monks (or nuns) without precepts. The doctrinal base for such a monk ordination as well as detailed explanations are presented here (click to read). 

Monks and nuns will not form separate orders inside Amidaji but will be treated equally without any discrimination. However, no discrimination also means that the rules are the same for all. Whenever the term “monk” is used in the present Constitution for easy language, it also automatically includes nuns. 

The tokudo candidate must choose a monk or nun from Amidaji sangha as his/her personal teacher with whom he will train in the doctrine and liturgies of Amidaji. Then he must pass an examination with him. The examination will contain general topics established for all candidates at the level of the entire Amidaji organization as well as special topics decided by his teacher and examiner. He must also meet the necessary requirements of a monk as explained in this section. 

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.

The complexity of the reform we need

the altar of Amidaji temple

click here for the Spanish version of this article

Definition of reform: By reform I mean a return to the roots of our religion and a refusal of the so-called modernist or "progressive" ideas which deny our basic doctrines or redefine them to conform to the worldly ideologies and faithless minds of various times.

First and foremost we must stand up and counteract such horrible ideas supported by many deluded scholars nowadays which present Amida as a myth, symbol, fictional character, etc, or His Pure Land as not being a real enlightened place to be attained after death but something in our heads or"here and now". This is the greatest of all evils and we must fight against it with all our strength. I am already doing this in my book The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land as well as in the articles I wrote in the section dedicated to this topic.

Amidaji crest

Two hands in gassho encircled by a nenju (Buddhist mala) with an eight-petal lotus above.

The hands in gassho encircled by a nenju represent devotion. The lotus with eight petals represents the Eight Elements of Faith and  the Eight Precepts of Faith which are central to Amidaji teaching style of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (Amida Dharma). 

The Name, Namo Amida Bu (homage to/I take refuge in Amida Buddha) is added at the bottom, sustaining the other two elements. It is the usual way of saying Nembutsu at our temple during services.

The crest is made on black and white to show the simplicity, humbleness and unpretentious style of Amidaji temple.

Amidaji crest may also appear in this style, when the name of the temple is not used:

Variants with only the lotus and Nembutsu or just the lotus are also accepted.