Rev Oku Kyokai Sensei - a friend of Amidaji has passed away

With Rev Oku Kyokai in 2004  

 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).

Big statue of Amida Buddha on the land of Amidaji temple

Click aici pentru versiunea in limba romana

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.’”

Nembutsu pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa from Tranișu (photos, impressions and doctrinal explanations)

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.

Click here for the Spanish version 

Click aici pentru versiunea in limba romana

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].

First phase of Amidaji's water system finished - your help needed for the second phase

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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. 

The treasure of faith in Amida Buddha (fragment from a Dharma discussion on the occasion of refuge ceremony for a Russian member)

 

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 

Again on the idea that faith in Amida comes from Amida - very simple explanations 
 
Five conditions for birth in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha 

 

Click here if you wish to become a patron or make a donation to support my Dharma work. Any little help is appreciated and very much needed 

Rev Kosho Arana opens the doors of Amidaji Temple in Colombia

click here for the Spanish version

We are pleased to inform all students of the Amidaji branch that Amidaji International Temple has opened its doors in Colombia (Valle del Cauca, La Leonera-Cali). The temple is headed by Reverend Kosho Arana who received ordination in Dolj, Romania in September 2023 under the guidance of Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea, Daisojo (head monk) and founder of the Amidaji International Temple. Reverend Kosho Arana was authorized to open a Temple in his country for the benefit of all beings and he is also the leader (Sojo) of Colombia kyodan (district). You can read the article about Rev. Kosho Arana's ordination experience here (click here).

Rev. Kosho Arana is the official translator of Rev. Josho Adrian Cirlea's books in Spanish and has worked on promoting the official Amidaji Temple website in Spanish as well as the Amidaji YouTube Channel in Spanish. With great desire to also be able to share the Amida Dharma physically in his country, Rev. Kosho Arana has opened the doors of the Amidaji International Temple in Colombia. The Temple is located in Leonera, Valle del Cauca, on the outskirts of the city of Cali in a mountainous area full of forests, natural reserves and rivers (contact details at the end of the article).

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. 

Amidaji's Objective and his teaching style

Amidaji delegate at the 19th United Nations Day of Wesak Celebration, Thailand

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!

Namo Amida Bu 🙏

Selected Teachings from Honen Shonin with Commentary (free edition and printed edition for sale)

Click here for the Spanish edition

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,

Google drive

My page on Academia

Click the donation box if you wish to make a DONATION to support me and Amidaji temple, and especially the recent project about water and sewage system (click here to read about it),

 

If you wish to order a printed copy from Amazon you can click on one of these links,

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The book is also posted in AMIDAJI BOOKSTORE  where you can order all the printed edition of my books.

A big nenju has been gifted to Amidaji temple

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 might know, in our Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the nenju represents faith in Amida Buddha and the Nembutsu of faith. It shows our devotion and connection with Him. 

Namo Amida Bu

 

The first monk ordination in Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (Rev Kosho Arana from Columbia)

Click here to read 

the Romanian version of this article

NEW! Click here to read about Rev Kosho's experience at Amidaji during his ordination!

On the evening of September 21^st 2023, I ordained our brother Kosho Arana from Colombia as a Buddhist monk (priest).  This is a historical day for Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

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.

The inexcusable gesture of the Dalai Lama trying to tongue kiss a boy

Scroll down to read the last updates! 

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!

The teachers of Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

Amidaji Sangha has two new lay teachers – Sensei Shingyo Yuri Demianov from Russia, appointed on August 23, 2022 and Sensei Daigan Alejandro Macia Machado  from Uruguay, appointed today, November 28, 2022. 

As lay teachers they can teach and open dojos affiliated with Amidaji in their own countries and any Russian speaking or Spanish speaking areas. At the present, Amidaji has four official teachers - one monk (priest), that is me (Josho), and three lay teachers, Shingyo Yuri Sensei (Russia), Daigan Alejandro Sensei (Uruguay) and Gansen JohnWelch Sensei from Australia. 

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!

Namo Amida Bu 🙏

Rev Josho , leader of Amidaji Sangha

Three Dharma friends from Taiwan visited Amidaji (May and September 2022)

 

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!

I am always here if you need me.

Namo Amida Bu 

Visit from September 2022:

New stove inside Amidado (Amida Hall)

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

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:

 Here you can also find other methods to donate if you don't have PayPal.

 

The exterior walls of Amidado (Hall of Amida) are finished

this is how Amidado looks now

 CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

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:

 

 or use other methods (Bank accounts, Revolut, etc) from this link (click here). Any small help is appreciated and very much needed.
The names of donors and/or people in whose name a donation is given will be mentioned in the dedication list of my books and video teachings (new videos in the playlist at the bottom, have a dedication list). 

I added the outside insulation on the walls of Amidado (Hall of Amida) but there is still more to be done

This is how Amidado (Amida Hall) looks now.

 CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

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.

The names of donors and/or people in whose name a donation is given will be mentioned in the dedication list of my books and video teachings (new videos in the playlist at the bottom, have a dedication list).

Visit of Rev Oku Kyokai at Amidaji temple

in Amidado (Hall of Amida)

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. 

Plans for the continuation of the construction work at Amidaji temple (please help if you can)

Amidado Hall (left) and the Library (right)

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

update: video added at the bottom of the article

 As you may remember, last year I built the roof (click  here to read), the walls (click here to read) and   added the inside insulation (click here to read) to Amidado (Hall of Amida).  I also added the doors and windows (click here to read) to the same building in Amidaji complex.

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).

The names of donors and/or people in whose name they donate will be mentioned in the dedication list of my books and video teachings (new videos in the playlist at the bottom, have a dedication list). 

 

Here you can see a video with the same plan as described above. Sorry for  the poor quality. I recorded it with my bad phone:

  

Inside Amidado Hall

 

Dharma talks - the new playlist on my youtube channel

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.

Here is the  link for the playlist:

 

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.

Please also check the Youtube channels of my student Shaku Joshin  from USA

 

The first Jodo Shinshu Buddhist wedding ceremony was officiated at Amidaji

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.