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.
Rev. Jōshō Adrian Cîrlea was the first teacher
from whom I heard Amida Dharma when I discovered his videos on YouTube at the
beginning of 2023.
A few days earlier, I had been in the city of
Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy, with my wife on a sightseeing trip. As
usual, I felt the deep discomfort that almost always accompanies me when I step
outside my comfort zone. Among various monuments and museums, we visited the
Museum of Oriental Art (MAO Torino), where I knew several Buddhist objects,
statues, and paintings from Asia were displayed. I have always been attracted,
since childhood, to Eastern aesthetics, particularly Sino-Japanese, which even
influenced my first steps into the Dharma when, in 2008, I set foot in my first
Zen temple.
Since then, many years have passed, during
which I practiced zazen and vipassana, attended retreats (sometimes fleeing
from them), and visited various Dharma centers in Italy belonging to different
schools. I formally took Refuge in the Three Jewels, undertook the Five
Precepts, and maintained a general practice—not without struggles—while
simultaneously trying to manage various personal, family, and emotional issues.
Rev Oku Kyokai of Zuikoji temple in Osaka passed away last night at 85 years old. First time I met him in 2004 (I was 27 ) when I visited Japan for
the second time. He found about me on internet and invited me at his temple on
his expanse where he offered me accommodation for three weeks. He greeted me
warmly and kindly helped me to visit mount Koyasan as well as various religious
sites in the Kansai area. We held religious services together at his temple and
in the houses of people from his parish. I remember fondly how I recited
Nembutsu, Sambutsuge and Juseige in a tiny Japanese house for a big family with
parents, grandparents, children and a dog, all gathered together in front of
their obutsudan (home altar).
Dear
friends in the Dharma, During
my recent Nembutsu pilgrimage an older aspiration resurfaced with great power
in my mind – to have a big outdoor statue of Amida Buddha (Amitabha/Amituofo) of at least 4 meters high on
the land of Amidaji temple in Romania (see photos bellow), for the benefit of human and nonhuman
beings. As
you might know, there is great merit and great karmic connection for those who
see and show respect to Budha statues. Recently, I came across this sutra
passage, quoted by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who also approved and supported the
building of the Kadampa Stupa in my country, that I visited a few weeks ago, “Manjushri
asked Buddha, ‘One Gone Beyond, now you are the only object to whom sentient
beings can make offering. After you pass into the sorrowless state, what will
sentient beings do? How will they accumulate merit when they can’t see Buddha anymore?
Please advise us.’ Buddha
answered, ‘My four followers, there is not one single difference between making
offerings to me now and in the future, with devotion, making offerings to my
reflections. The merit is equal and the result is equal.’”
Homage to all
Dharma gates taught by Shakyamuni and to all
authentic lineages of transmission. Homage to Amida
Buddha whose Name is
praised by all Buddhas.
It all started with a short conversation with myself.
Buddhism has accustomed me to make quick decisions, so in about three minutes I
contemplated in my mind: "I want to visit the stupa at Tranișu, but will I
get along with the people there? What kind of Buddhists are they? How do they
view the Dharma? Will I like them or will they like me?" Then I answered
to myself: "None of these matters. A stupa is a stupa and it's very good
that it exists. I have to get there. Those who worked on that stupa did
something extraordinary and deserve my respect.” As I completed this reasoning,
I spontaneously visualized the stupa enveloped in light, which gave me
confidence that my decision to visit it was correct and that the place was auspicious.
Then I said to myself: "I will go there on foot"[1].
As
I mentioned in the article about the plan for the water system (click here if you want to read it), the local authorities managed to bring the main water pipes in the
village and placed secondary ones in front of each property in order to bring
water to the whole village. From this main and secondary water pipes each owner
has to pay for installing its own pipes and build its own water system through
which to bring the water inside his property and house. However,
I have decided to not wait anymore for the authorities to start the public water system in the village as they constantly delay it due to various
technical problems and I decided to create Amidaji’s own independent water
system from the well that is already available in the temple’s courtyard. Thus, I bought
many materials, pipes, sacks of cement, engines, etc, and paid 4 workers (two of them also built the Amidado Hall) who
repaired and deepened the well, so that it can access the underground water source.
They also built a concrete chamber in the ground near the well from where
various pipes go underground to a short area in the courtyard and through the walls of the bathroom.
They installed a new boiler (I hope this is how it’s called in English) of 100
liters that heats enough water to be used for many visitors, as well as a new
washing machine which visitors who stay in retreat can use as much as they need. A
shower and sink with permanent hot and cold water was also installed. As you can see in the first photo (upper left) now
its easier to draw water from the well through a pipe that leads to a small fountain near it.
This
is a fragment from a Dharma discussion (English and Russia) on the occasion of
the online kieshiki (refuge ceremony) for a new member in Russia. We have an
active group in Russia, represented online at this link, https://vk.com/amidaji led by Shingyo Yuri Sensei, lay teacher of Amidaji. Useful
links mentioned in the video, Faith
in Amida Buddha is not the creation of our mind
Any sincere student of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is now welcomed to the Amidaji Temple in Colombia to study the Amida Dharma with Kosho Sensei. He is fluent in both Spanish and English so students from around the world who speak English can also go and study with him if they wish.
Recently, Shushin Ioana, one of our oldest Romanian members, represented Amidaji in
Thailand at the United Nation Day of Wesak which was an event attended by delegates
from many countries, including Asia, Europe, USA, etc. On this occasion, she gifted
seven of my books in English to the library of Sitagu International Buddhist
Academy, represented in the left photo by Rev Dr Kovida. The books were offered
in the memory of our dear friend Shoshin from the Phillipines who recently
departed to the Pure Land.
In 2004 I was a guest of honor at Sitagu
academy/monastery and since then I have constantly sent cordial greetings to Ven
Ashin Nyanissara, its leader, who treated me very well during my stay in Myanmar
(Burma). Below I present to you other photos from this year Wesak Conference where
Shushin sent greetings from us and made or rekindled friendships with various
members of other Buddhist communities. I mention that Shushin is on his fourth
participation to this kind of Wesak Conferences and will also represent us next
year.
Thank you very much, dear Shushin for your dedication!
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 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.
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