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).

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

Click aici pentru versiunea în limba română

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. 

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

Three Jodo Shinshu Buddhist hymns recited in Amidaji style by Rev Josho and Rev Kosho (audio/video)

Here are three hymns recited in the powerful and energetic Amidaji style at Amidaji temple in Romania, during the Nembutsu retreat organized on the occasion of our first monk (priest) ordination (click here to read about it).

Each hymn is followed by the phonetical recitation and the English translation. All the hymns we use as well as various liturgical and worshipping explanations are explained in my book, Worshipping Amida Buddha - Liturgies and Ceremonies of Amidaji Temple, that you cand download for free or buy at this link. 

The Nembutsu liturgy

●●

doshi (the Leader): BU JO MI DA NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon Amida Buddha to enter this place of practice[1]

doon (together): SAN GE RAKU[2]

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

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.

Things I did and improved at Amidaji in 2022 and 2023 - your help is very much needed and appreciated

the new kitchen of Amidaji
in the former accomodation place

 My last post (December, 2021) in the category Amidaji temple - work

 plan and progress was related with the stove that I installed in the

 Amidado (Hall of Amida), so now I am going to tell you what I did since that time. The following information are already present on various social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc

 In 2022, I arranged a new kitchen in the former accommodation place and transformed the former little Hondo (Dharma Hall) into a library and accommodation place. There I installed a cooking stove on gas and many useful things. 

in Amidaji kitchen with a guest from Taiwan

In the new accommodation place I also added a good stove made of tiles which is very useful during winter. This stove is even better than that from Amidado Hall which can warm the place for the duration of a service, while the heat in the library and accommodation place lasts for many hours. 

Electricity was also added to both the new kitchen and library.

In 2023 I printed and framed ten images of various Buddhas and Enlightened Bodhisattvas, like Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, White Tara, Green Tara, Mahakala, etc, some of them wearing Amida on the crown of their head, as well as images of Shinran Shonin, Rennyo Shonin, the seven Patriarchs (Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, T’an Luan, Tao’ch’o, Shantao, Genshin, Honen), Shotoku Taishi, and I placed them inside the Amidado Hall.

Nembutsu and daily life

 

last revised February 16th, 2023

Click here to return to 

Selected passages from Honen Shonin 

with commentary

“If we only put our trust in Amida’s Primal Vow, there is no doubt whatever about our future destiny, but what are we to do with the present world?’

‘Well, the thing to do is to make the Nembutsu practice the chief thing in life, and to lay aside everything that you think may interfere with it. If you cannot stay in one spot and do it, then do it when you are walking. If you cannot do it as a priest, then do it as a layman. If you cannot do it alone, then do it in the company of others. If you cannot do it and at the same time provide yourself with food and clothing, then accept the help of others and go on doing it. Or if you cannot get others to help you, then look after yourself but keep on doing it. Your wife and children and domestics are for this very purpose, of helping you to practice it, and if they prove an obstacle, you ought not to have any. Friends and property are good, if they too prove helpful, but if they prove a hindrance they should be given up. In short, there is nothing that may not help us to Ojo, so long as it helps us to go on the even tenor of our way through life undisturbed.’”[1] 

Commentary:

The goal of Buddhism is not to attain happiness here and now which is actually impossible as samsara itself is the karmic effect of our own blind passions and ignorance. However, this doesn’t mean that we should neglect our basic needs. Amida devotees also eat, drink, seek shelter, comfort and good company, they get married, have children, property, etc. There is no problem with this. What Honen Shonin advised us is to use all the aspects of our life as support for the Nembutsu Path. The Primal Vow of Amida does not require asceticism, but only the Nembutsu of faith, so try to arrange your personal life in such a way that you be able to walk the Path of Nembutsu. 

Short advice for a person with doubts and attachments to Christianity

 

please click on the highlighted words as they lead to important articles

A Dharma friend told me that  although he finds the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teaching very appealing  he still has feelings of attachments to Christianity and Jesus. He said that if it wasn’t for my writings against monotheism he might have been swayed by them. He also asked me:

“How can I safeguard myself against these things as I still have lingering doubts and do not want to be led astray? I can’t help but think it may be the tug of Maras (celestial demons) because I’m so close to being out of their grip…”

This is my letter to him:

Is Amida Buddha a real person or a symbol/metaphor?

the altar of Amidaji temple

- fragment from a letter to a friend - 

Question: Is Amida a symbol or metaphor for Wisdom and Compassion? Some scholars nowadays support this idea.

Answer: Those scholars are wrong. Amida Buddha is NOT a symbol or metaphor for Wisdom and Compassion, but a real, existing Enlightened Person possessing Infinite Wisdom and Compassion. 

I always insist on the actual, literal existence of Amida Buddha and His Pure Land because without realizing and accepting this existence, faith of unenlightened people becomes abstract and false. There can be no real faith without a real object of faith – in our case, Amida Buddha.

If you can’t say it to yourself and others that the object of your faith is a real, living Buddha, then you don’t have faith. No matter how great scholar you are, if your knowledge and study has not simplified your faith, and if you can’t talk about faith in simple terms, then you don’t have faith.

Members of Amidaji: Keshin Maria Zita D'Abreu (Australia)

 Click here to return to Amidaji biographies

My Dharma name is Shaku Keshin 釋 華信 ("Flower of Faith"). I was born 5th September 1944 in Monte, Madeira Island in Portugal.

I was for a long time disappointed with the Catholic Church and I lost my belief. Then I started thinking where will I go if I die, for a few nights. Then I remembered that my son Kengo Jim E. said that people who believe in Amida Buddha go to the Pure Land. I was already sympathetic to this type of Buddhism. I saw my son's way of life since he met Rev. Josho online and the words my son shared with me about Amida was a great influence over the years. Then in November 2020 I made a decision to embrace the teachings of Amida Buddha and the Pure Land and on 24th November I told my son I believe in Amida. Since then I recite Nembutsu and believe the teaching on Amida Buddha.

In early May 2021, maybe just after midday, I was seated alone on a lounge in my home without any lights on and no direct sunlight was coming through any windows. I was leaning forward reciting Nembutsu silently, relaxed and my hands were not in gassho when I turned my head slightly to the right and saw close next to me to my surprise a half a metre square wide area of light with curved top corners. I looked at this light and because I was reciting when it appeared I felt this is Amida Buddha. I then turned my eyes to the left a bit and when I looked back the vision was gone. I remembered then that my son Kengo told me that he read in Rev. Josho's Spiritual Autobiography that he had a vision of Amida Buddha at his altar while he was saying Nembutsu.

I like my life now with Amida and it has purpose. I talk with Amida.

Keshin Maria Zita D'Abreu

 Western Australia

ADORANDO AL BUDA AMIDA: Liturgias y ceremonias del Templo Amidaji (Spanish Edition)

 Traducido del inglés por:

Kōshō Arana Sensei (J S Hincapié Arana)

Click here for the English version

Todas las partes de este libro, cada palabra y explicación están destinadas a ayudar al lector a concentrarse exclusivamente en el Buda Amida y recordarlo en todos los aspectos de la vida diaria. Aunque está dedicado a la Sangha del Templo Internacional de Amidaji, espero que las personas que no son miembros también lo encuentren útil. No se necesita iniciación o empoderamiento para seguir las liturgias y las instrucciones que se presentan aquí, así que siéntete libre de elegir lo que te guste. 

En el libro encontrarás todas nuestras liturgias e himnos con transcripciones fonéticas y traducciones al español así como consejos útiles sobre cómo adorar al Buda Amida, cómo arreglar un altar, cómo hacer ofrendas, cómo ayudar a seres no humanos (fantasmas hambrientos , seres del bardo, animales, etc.) y muchas otras instrucciones útiles.

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. 

Remember your guru – Amida Buddha

Somebody asked me if we have a guru in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. I said yes, but He is not a human being. Our guru is Amida Buddha (as I explained here in this article) and He is always present with us, no matter where we are, or wherever we go. This is NOT a metaphor, but a literal truth, so I encourage you to always remember your guru – Amida Buddha.

When you are happy, think of Amida, when you are sad, think of Amida, when you meet favorable circumstances, be grateful to Amida, and when you meet obstacles, pray to Amida and rely on Him alone.

When you are sitting, think that Amida is in front of you. When you walk, think that He walks with you. When you read a Dharma text, think that He is helping you to understand it. When you are eating or drinking, offer Him the first portion and the first drop. Whenever you wear new clothes or you start using a new nenju (mala/Buddhist rosary), first offer them to Amida and then wear them as if He had given them back to you. You can do the same with the food or water that you offer to Amida at your home altar. After you place fruits, cookies or water on the altar, bow and gratefully receive them as if they are given back to you by Amida.  

Whatever you offer to Amida Buddha is blessed by Amida so I encourage you to always make offerings in the name of all beings. Enjoy Amida’s presence and think that He is always watching you. 
Namo Amida Bu

PS: Everything else beside the relaxed saying of Nembutsu is optional in our tradition, so whatever I teach on daily devotions is not a requirement, but a suggestion if you'd feel like doing something more to enjoy your personal relation with Amida Buddha. 

NEW BOOK! Worshipping Amida Buddha - Liturgies and ceremonies of Amidaji Temple

Jodo Shinshu is the school of the Primal Vow. Everything we do in our religious life must be in accord with the three things mentioned by Amida Buddha in His Primal Vow: “entrust to me, say my Name (Nembutsu) and wish to be born in my land”.

I have already explained in my book The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and in my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life[1], everything you need to know about the Primal Vow, faith (entrusting) and Nembutsu, so please read those instructions carefully. 

All parts of this present book, every word and explanation are intended to help you focus exclusively on Amida Buddha and remember Him in all aspects of your daily life. Although it is dedicated to the Sangha of Amidaji International Temple, I hope that non-members will also find it useful. No initiation or empowerment are needed to follow the liturgies and instructions presented here, so feel free to pick and choose what you like. 

Do not worry about inner or outer conditions when saying the Name of Amida Buddha

Question: What is the right attitude when worshipping Amida Buddha? What is the best way to worship Amida? What inner or outer conditions we must meet in order to worship Amida?

My answer: Be relaxed and respectful. This is the right attitude towards Amida Buddha. Be relaxed like a child in the presence of his parent and respectful like a disciple in the presence of his Master. Amida Buddha is both our dear spiritual Parent and our Master or Guru. He loves us like a true parent and guides us as the perfect Master.[1]

The best way to worship Amida Buddha is to say His Name in faith (Namo Amida Bu).  Why? Because this is what He said we should do in His Primal Vow[2]. When we say Amida's Name (Nembutsu) we should NOT worry about inner or outer conditions:

No te preocupes por las condiciones internas o externas al decir el Nombre del Buda Amida

 translated by Kosho Arana Sensei 

Pregunta: ¿Cuál es la actitud correcta al adorar al Buda Amida? ¿Cuál es la mejor forma de adorar a Amida? ¿Qué condiciones internas o externas debemos cumplir para adorar a Amida?

Mi respuesta: Debes ser relajado y respetuoso. Ésta es la actitud correcta ante el Buda Amida. Debemos simplemente estar relajados como un niño en presencia de sus padres y también debemos ser respetuosos como un discípulo en presencia de su Maestro. El Buda Amida es tanto nuestro querido Padre espiritual como nuestro Maestro o Gurú. Él nos ama como un verdadero padre y nos guía como el Maestro perfecto. [1] 

La mejor manera de adorar al Buda Amida es decir Su Nombre con fe (Namo Amida Bu). ¿Por qué? Porque esto es lo que Él dijo que deberíamos hacer en Su Voto Primordial [2]. Cuando decimos el nombre de Amida (Nembutsu) NO debemos preocuparnos por las condiciones internas o externas:

The wedding ceremony Amidaji style

Click here to read on the Buddhist meaning of marriage and the role of husband and wife

The wedding ceremony in Amidaji branch is a modified Nembutsu liturgy as explained in the following lines:

●●

doshi: BU JO MI DA NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon Amida Buddha to enter this place of practice

doon: SAN GE RAKU

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

 

doshi: BU JO SHA KA NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon Shakyamuni Buddha to enter this place of practice

doon: SAN GE RAKU

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

 

doshi: BU JO JIP-PO NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon all Buddhas from the ten directions

doon: SAN GE RAKU 

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

●

 

(When saying SAN GE RAKU the priest and couple scatter petals of roses or any flower in the direction of the altar.)

Amidaji members: Joshin Dave Kruemcke

Click here to return to the main page of Amidaji members

(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.

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. 

LIBRERÍA AMIDAJI - Compra y Apoya al Templo Amidaji

Click to return to the main page of Amidaji library

TODOS ESTOS LIBROS PUEDEN SER 

ENCONTRADOS AQUÍ PARA DESCARGA GRATUITA

 Desde latino américa también hay diversas empresas mencionadas más adelante ( al final de la página) que hacen envíos fácilmente a Latino américa y es mucho más económico el envío que por medio de correo internacional.

Si tienes dificultades para ordenar a través de Amazon o si consideras el costo de envio muy alto por favor ponte en contacto conmigo en facebook o a través de mi correo josho_adrian@yahoo.com

El Dharma de Amida, Rev Josho Adrian Cirlea

Este libro representa la esencia de la Enseñanza Budista Jodo Shinshu tal como es enseñada en el Templo Amidaji y en nuestra Sangha internacional. Su estudio es una obligación para cualquier seguidor. Si alguien no puede leerlo, se lo leerá el sacerdote o uno de los colegas del Dharma.

”El Dharma de Amida” contiene el conocimiento mínimo requerido para un miembro del Templo Amidaji. Es un libro simple sin citas y términos técnicos, limitado a lo estrictamente necesario para comprender el mundo de los nacimientos y muertes repetidos (samsara) y el Camino para escapar de él.