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). 

О заслугах мирских и истинных

translated from English by Терехин Евгений

Когда великий Мастер Бодхидхарма прибыл в Китай, император У-ди пригласил его к себе на аудиенцию и спросил: «Я построил много храмов и выделил много земли буддийским монастырям. Пожалуйста, ответь мне, много ли заслуг я приобрёл?» Ответ Бодхидхармы поверг его в шок: «Ни одной!» И это истинная правда.

В буддизме заслуги подразделяются на два вида: мирские и истинные. Мирские заслуги представляют собой результат каждого доброго поступка, совершенного с целью (сознательной или бессознательной) обретения в будущем тех или иных положительных последствий для себя: счастья в этой жизни или в следующей, лучшего перерождение и т. д. Но такие поступки, какими бы добрыми они ни были, не выходят за рамки тонких или грубых форм жадности (алчности), которая является одним из "Трёх Ядов", наряду с гневом и невежеством (заблуждением).[1] Какими бы духовно развитыми мы ни считали себя, пока мы все ещё отождествляем себя с ложным "эго", любое добро, совершённое нами будет являться мирским благом. Вот как описал свой личный опыт понимания этого Синран в «Сёдзомацу Васан»:

Topics of examination for those who want to become lay teachers or monks and nuns in Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

Here are some topics for study and examination in our Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, especially useful for those who want to become lay teachers or monks and nuns. The candidate is required to use passages from the sacred texts in support of his or her explanations. You can start with any topic as the order is not important.

1) What is samsara? The illusory nature of samsara.

2) There is no creator god, ruler and judge of the world. The incompatibility of belief in a monotheistic god and Buddhism. Why those who believe in a creator god cannot have true faith in Amida Buddha? Difference between the so-called gods of monotheistic religions and Amida Buddha.

3) Buddhist explanations on the origin and existence of the universe.

4) The Buddhist teaching on rebirth.

Question: Can LGBTQ people be born in the Pure Land?

these proud gays are clearly not interested in salvation

 Question: Can LGBTQ people be born in the Pure       Land?

 My answer: First of all, I make a difference   between   gays & lesbians and LGBTQ activists. Not   all gays and lesbians or other category of people who   practice sexual misconduct are members of LGBTQ   organizations. Unfortunately, I see a tendency   nowadays to equate all gays, lesbians, etc with   LGBTQ, thus referring to them as “LGBTQ people”.   This might be a deliberate act to identify in the   public  eye this type of deranged organizations with   all gays, lesbians or other people who practice sexual   misconduct. However, there are many gays and   lesbians who keep their wrong sexuality in their   bedrooms and do not intend to force it on society and   religion. 

Those who practice sexual misconduct like gays, lesbians, etc ( I explained in this article what is sexual misconduct according to the Buddhist teaching), are saved by Amida Buddha and can be born in the Pure Land on the condition that they accept themselves as ignorant people filled with blind passions who entrust to Amida. These kind of gays and lesbians are sincerely interested in escaping samsara and are NOT using the Dharma or Amida Buddha to justify their sexual misconduct or impose it on religion and society. They are just sinful people like anybody else who are not capable (although some of them try) to have a correct sexuality and who entrust to Amida Buddha. To entrust to Amida Buddha as a person aware of his/her sinfulness leads to the Pure Land. To be aware of one’s sinfulness and incapacity to save oneself is an important element of faith (shinjin).

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.