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. 

Please, no more Conferences on peace for me - a little request

From time to time I receive invitations to attend conferences on world peace together with various representatives of other religions. I wish people or organizations should stop sending me such invitations.

Do not get me wrong - I do NOT wish war. I am NOT an enemy of peace. I love peace, but I am not that stupid as to believe that all religions really want peace or that all religions are the same. I also do not believe in the usefulness of such events.

Rather than attending conferences on peace where everybody smiles, a lot of money are spent and empty discussions are held, I rather prefer to focus my mind on my religious practice, helping those who think they can be helped by my Dharma activities. 

Respectfully yours in
Namo Amida Bu


PS: A lot of people engaged in a discussion on my page on this topic. You can see the comments here (click on the Facebook icon),

Visit of two friends from Brasil at Amidaji temple

Fernando Campos, Josho and Thais Campos

These days at Amidaji I received the visit of Thais Campos and Fernando Campos (81 years old) from Brasil. We had a meaningful retreat filled with Nembutsu services and Dharma talks. As you know, Amidaji temple is always happy to receive visitors who are in a learning mood for hearing the Amida Dharma. Conditions for visitation are explained here (click here).

Invitation to become a patron (constant supporter) of Amidaji by little monthly donations

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

Dear friends in the Dharma,

As you well know, all my Dharma activities, my books, and articles are available for FREE to all who wish to learn about the orthodox Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teaching. Also, at Amidaji temple there are NO taxes or fees for accommodation, religious services or teaching activities. 

Yes, I do have the printed editions of my books on sale on Amidaji website, but I also provide, (according to my religious vow), free online editions for those who can't afford or simply don't want to buy.  Also, printed editions are sometimes given as gifts at various occasions and to people who cannot read online or in pdf, and also cannot afford to buy. 

I am glad to say that, for example, at every two printed copies sold per month, I have at least 50 copies downloaded for free. This is good news and a sign that what I teach and write is useful to many.

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

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE 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 

Shushin Ioana Marinescu - Amidaji representative at the 19th European Shin Buddhist Conference

Shushin and Rev Sasaki
from International Association
for Buddhist Culture

Between 20^th – 24^th August the 19^th European Shin Buddhist Conference was held in Southampton, UK. Such Conferences are organized once in two years since 1986, in various places in Europe and are attended by representatives of all European sanghas. Guests from Japan, including the Shinmon-sama (next Patriarch of Hongwanji) or Zenmon-sama (the retired Patriarch) have always being present, too. I myself attended almost all these Conferences since 2002, gave lectures, held services there, etc.

Image with the Wheel of Samsara - gift for Amidaji temple

Wheek of life in the Hondo

Today a precious gift arrived at Amidaji, sent by a Tibetan Dharma friend from Canada – a Bhavachakra or Wheel of Samsaric Existence. The image contains the following elements:

The pig, rooster and snake in the small circle in the middle of the wheel represent the three poisons of ignorance, attachment and aversion.

The second layer represents karma.

The third layer represents the six realms of samsara: hells, pretas (hungry spirits), animals, humans, asuras (demi-gods), gods.

The fierce figure holding the wheel represents impermanence.

In the upper right we can see Shakyamuni Buddha pointing to the image in the upper left, where there is Amida Buddha and His Pure Land. The images of the Two Honored Ones are outside of the Wheel of Samsara, as they are free from the repeated births and deaths. Shakyamuni pointing the finger towards Amida means that escape from Samsara is possible through faith in Him and aspiration to be born in His Pure Land.

As this image will now be part of Amidaji temple, I will integrate it in the Jodo Shinshu context, and  also use it as a tool for teaching basic Buddhist doctrines.

Visitors and members will receive more in depth explanations of each fragment of the Wheel of Samsaric existence. The image was placed in the Hondo (Dharma Hall) of Amidaji.

Paul Roberts was born in the Pure Land

Paul Roberts

"At the end of your life you will enter the family of the Buddhas, that is, the Pure Land."

Shinran Shonin

Paul Roberts recently left his physical body and was reborn in the Pure Land of Amida Buddha. He was a true follower and teacher of Jodo Shinshu and a guide for many.

In our times of profound corruption of the Dharma he was a clear and uncompromising voice, standing up against wrong views, and defending the right teaching. 

Because we shared the same simple faith in Amida Buddha and the same cause of fighting modern divergences, we often collaborated. I sent many of my readers to his online group True Shin Buddhism, and he recommended me and my website to others. 

His determination and uncompromising style was an example for all, and I am sure that his students, Egen (Richard St Clair) and Camille, will continue his Dharma work, as they too share the same faith and the same courage like him.

Thank you Paul, for your service.

Namo Amida Bu

Second visit of Shaku Shinkai from Brasil at Amidaji temple

Josho and Shinkai in the Hondo (Dharma Hall) of Amidaji

Shaku Shinkai (Thais Campos) from Brasil visited Amidaji for the second time and stayed for a three days retreat.

First time she came in August 2016. Since then she works at the translation of my books and articles into Portughese. The Portughese section of this website is maintained through her dedicated work.

As you already know, visitors are welcomed at Amidaji if they do not mind the simple conditions and sincerely wish to learn the orthodox Jodo Shinshu teaching promoted at our temple.

A visitor from Northern Ireland to Amidaji

Today, Mr Iain Lee from Northern Ireland visited Amidaji temple. We made a service (Nembutsu with Amidakyo), and discussed the essentials of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teaching. We'll keep in touch and see each other soon.

As I clearly stated many times, Amidaji is an international temple, opened to anybody who wishes to learn the authentic (orthodox) Jodo Shinshu Dharma and receive shinjin  – simple faith in Amida Buddha. 

Last year we received visitors from Brasil and Japan. This year more people announced their visit. Amidaji is glad to receive anybody who comes with a sincere intention to listen to the Dharma.

Namo Amida Butsu

ANNOUNCEMENT - help needed for winter season

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

Dear Dharma friends of Amidaji temple,

The winter is very hard here, especially that the wood for heating are almost finished at Amidaji and the expanses for living and heating are very high in this period. Any little donation would be welcomed and very much appreciated, especially now. It will help me go through the winter, continue my writing, translations and general Dharma work.

If you can afford to, please consider a donation to this link:

http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ro/p/donation.html

or check the DONATION box in the left column (PayPal and Bank account are offered).

Gratefully yours in Namo Amida Butsu,

Josho

PS: Attention - donations (or sponsorship) do not solve the "matter of the greatest importance" of death and rebirth. Only through simple faith in Amida we can be born in the Pure Land and attain Buddhahood. Thus, donation is NOT a religious obligation, but a free-will gesture of help.

Visit of IABC delegation from Japan to Amidaji temple

Visitors and members in the Hondo (Dharma Hall) of Amidaji

On August 28th a delegation of IABC from Japan visited Amidaji temple.

We had a wonderful time together. We recited Amidakyo (Smaller Amida Sutra) and Nembutsu, we had Dharma discussions and we enjoyed a delicious vegetarian food.

I also explained the orthodox attitude of Amidaji in all matters related with Dharma activities and I presented the plan for the next phase in the development of the temple.

Short Dharma meeting in Vienna and Notes on the 18th European Shin Buddhist Conference in Antwerp

 Dharma meetings before the Conference:

August 19th

I met with my Dharma friend Frank Kusmierz. I offered some books in the memory of late Myoshin Friedrich Fenzl, and we had a wonderful evening with discussions and cofee.

August 20

Frank and me

I met with my good friend from Holland, Frits Bot, who donated many good books for the library of Amidaji temple. These include, Rennyo-sama, His Life Through Pictorial Illustrations, Life of Eshinni by Yoshiko Ohtani, two books by Eiken Kobai Sensei, some biographies of Shinran and Honen, and a few good studies on the history of Jodo Shinshu.

18th European Shin Buddhist Conference in Antwerp

The following is not a detailed and objective report of the 18th European Shin Buddhist Conference, but only some significant events for myself and my mission.

A reader from Brasil at Amidaji temple

Shinkai and Josho in the Hondo
(Dharma Hall)
of Amidaji

As you can read here, at this link, I have declared Amidaji open for visitors. As most of my readers live outside of Romania, and because Amidaji is an international temple (including Romanians of course, but not limited to them), many expressed their wish to visit and stay for a few days in order to listen to the orthodox Jodo Shinshu teaching  presented here.

So, the first visitor arrived and she came all the way from Brasil! Usually, when I have a visitor, I dedicate myself exclusively to him or her. The visitor does not leave the temple for a few days, and is focused entirely on Dharma activities like teaching, recitation, but also work in the garden and courtyard of the temple. This is some kind of a small retreat, but also retreats of more than 3 days can be arranged for either one person or a group.

A gift from Zuikoji Temple in Osaka

This scroll was given two days ago by Oku Kyokai Sensei of Zuikoji temple in Osaka. It is 2meters high! As we already have a statue and a Myogo (scroll with Namo AmidaButsu) at Amidaji we might use this for Tariki Dojo in Bucharest or when I open a new dojo in another town. I am not sure yet...

I also received two big Buddhist flags. One of them will surely be posted in the temple's courtyard.

As you can see, Amidaji has friends all over the world, including Japan. And some of them are also priests and have their own temples. My uncompromising way of teaching Amida Dharma has not isolated me, as some would have liked, but on the contrary, it opened up new possibilities. 

Friends who share the same faith will always come together, both in this life and in the Pure Land.

Namo Amida Butsu

In memory of Myoshin Friendrich Fenzl

Myoshin Friedrich Fenzl
(Nov 4th 1932 - December 8th 2014)

I have just read about the death of my nembutsu friend - Myoshin Friedrich Fenzl from Salzburg. Many new European followers do not know him and perhaps never met him in person, as he was quite isolated in the last decade due to his advanced age and ilness.

He played a very important role in my religious life, as he was one of the first persons I came into contact with, many years ago, in my first days on the nembutsu path. I remember even now, the great surprise I had when I received his first letter, together with the best book a beginner like me needed to read at that moment – A Standard of Shinshu Faith by Ryosetsu Fujiwara. At his suggestion I immediately started to translate it into Romanian, and was soon published by IABC in the Shin Buddhist Romanian Translation Series, number 1 (2001).

The last photo I took
 with Myoshin, in 2008

Since then we’ve kept a constant correspondence by post mail, as he was never comfortable with internet. Recently, I was thinking to him a lot, feeling guilty and ashamed that I have not written to him for a long time. I think it was two or three days ago when I decided again to send him a letter together with my book, The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha. Then, today, when I  was surfing the internet I read the news of his death on the German website….. 

Too late to send any letter now, and a hard lesson for me to never again postpone expressing gratitude to those who helped me on the nembutsu Path. My only relief is that after being born in the Pure Land of Amida, he will be able to forgive me and watch over me as an Enlightened friend.

Namo Amida Butsu

Dharma meetings in Paris and Antwerp

Dharma meeting with Vincent

Due to some unexpected difficulties, I couldn't attend the 17th ESC in Southampton(UK),  but I did two more important Dharma activities.

The first was a wonderful Dharma meeting with my nembutsu friend, Vincent, in Paris, to whom I donated many books for free distribution among nembutsu followers and people interested in Amida Dharma in France. 

 The second was attending a meeting at Jikoji temple in Antwerp (Belgium) with Japanese representatives of Hongwanji. Here I presented a report of Dharma activities in Romania and informed them of the plan and progress in building Amida-ji temple. 

with Hongwanji representatives
 and Jikoji members

They were very excited about this project and firmly encouraged its continuation.

During the discussions held at Jikoji with Japanese representatives of Hongwanji I also introduced the Dharma activities of my nembutsu friend Petros Theodoridis from Greece, who is now engaged in translation work and is trying to establish a dojo in his town.

with Hongwanji representatives

The books donated in Paris were soon replaced by other copies donated to me for Amida-ji library ( older translations of the sacred texts by Ryukoku University and new ones by Numata Center) by another great friend - Frits Bot from Holland, who was so kind as to accommodate me and my girlfriend Shushin at his home in Bergen op Zoom, and took us to Jikoji in Antwerp. 

I installed the altar of Amida-ji Temple

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

Dear friends in the Dharma,

  

I am glad to inform you that I have just installed the altar in the small Hondo (Dharma Hall) of Amida-ji.

As you can see in the pictures, it is a simple altar made from an old piece of furniture covered with cloth. On this,  it is placed a statue of Amida Buddha which was donated a few years ago by the Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation (CBBEF) from Taiwan. This statue was previously used at Tariki Dojo Craiova and now moved to the temple. It is not a Hongwanji style statue of Amida, but it is the only statue we received until now, and with so much generosity.

My book - The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha (free online edition)

A newly revised edition of my explanation of the 48 vows of Amida Buddha was integrated in the new book COMMENTARY ON THE SUTRA ON THE BUDDHA OF INFINITE LIGHT. 
(click here to download the free online edition of this book)

Notes on the 16th European Shinshu Conference (31 August - 2 September 2012)

Group photo with all the participants

  First of all, it is good to know that the European Shinshu Conferences are organized by European sanghas and financially supported by IABC. They are usually held together with the IASBS (International Association of Buddhist Studies) annually conference which is the academical part, so to speak, of the meeting.

The European Shinshu Conferences are also honored by the presence of Shinmon-sama (the next Patriarch of Hongwanji) and Rev Kiribayashi, the director of Hongwanji International Center.

The activities are paper presentations on the decided topic of the Conference, religious services and a kikyoshiki (confirmation) rite for the newcomers which is usually held in the last day. Although I personally find many papers and discussions to be useless and even promoting divergences, I still think this Conference is a good place for disseminating the seeds of the true Shinshu Dharma. Enough people, old participants or new, are opened or gradually become opened to the right way the teaching should be presented.