The roof of Amidado (Hall of Amida) and next plan

The roof is ready, shinning in the sun!
Click on the photo to enlarge it

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

As you may know, last year I built the concrete platform and metal frame for Amidado (Hall of Amida). These days I finished the construction of the roof. The total amount I paid for two workers and materials was 750 euros.

I needed to start with the roof this year because it was cheaper than the walls. I will, of course, continue with the walls as soon as I raise the necessary amount which will probably be arround 2000 euros (double walls filled with thermal insulation, door, windows, exterior insulation and paint, workers, etc).

All lives matter! Amidaji does NOT take a knee to racist movements

As I saw a lot of unwise statements made by various Buddhist priests and centers, including Buddhist Churches of America, in the support of the racist movement called "Black Lives Matters" while they say absolutely nothing about the violence and killings made under this slogan in many American cities, and because Amidaji has many readers and supporters in USA,  I decided to publish here what I already stated on my Facebook Page.

Rest in Nembutsu

Rest in Nembutsu. Let all your thoughts come and go while you just say the Name. Put an image of Amida that you like  in front of you and say Nembutsu while looking at it. Don't force yourself to feel anything special, just look at Amida and say His Name.
Rest in His presence and Name,
Na Mo A Mi Da Bu, Na Mo A Mi Da Bu, Na Mo A Mi Da Bu....

Do not pursue the various thoughts and worries that appear in the mind, but rest in Amida's Name. You can do this wherever you are, even without an image in front of you.

Amida Buddha is always present so you can simply change the focus to Him and leave everything else aside. You do not need meditation techniques which will make you go astray from Amida when this simple resting in the Name can be done in any circumstance and it is in accord with Amida's Primal Vow and Shinran's words:

"In this fleeting world - this burning house - all matters without exception are empty and false, totally without truth and sincerity. The Nembutsu alone is true and real. "

So, rest in Namo Amida Bu, the manifestation of true reality beyond the samsaric delusion.

Rest in the Name and you rest in Amida's presence. This is not a metaphor, nor a symbol, but the actual truth. Amida is in front of you every time, so please, turn your mind to Him and rest in His Name.
Namo Amida Bu

The above instructions appeared to me spontaneously this night at Amidaji temple. May our Dharma friends abandon the intention to mix practices and find everything they need in the Nembutsu of Faith!

A simple analogy between Vajrayana and Jodo Shinshu to help undecided practitioners

I know some people who come from a Vajrayana background and their thinking is still influenced by  Vajrayana terms and concepts but who sincerely wish to follow Jodo Shinshu.

For them I am going to make a short analogy between the two traditions to help them have an easy transition. Please listen carefully.

As you may know, in Vajrayana you cannot successfully practice without empowerment. When you receive empowerment from a realized Master you become connected with and blessed by an uninterrupted lineage of transmission which starts with a Buddha and continues with a series of Enlightened Masters. Then your practice can be successful if you are serious and put all your efforts into it. Without this empowerment and connection, your practice will not lead to realization. Also, once empowerment was given you must follow a samaya, that is, a specific set of rules and practices. However, breaking this samaya without repairing it will lead to birth in Vajra Hell.

AMIDA DHARMA - the essential doctrine of Amidaji temple (free download edition)

I was inspired to write another introduction into Jodo Shinshu Buddhism which will be known from now on, as the essential book of Amidaji temple, a must-read for all members and students. (75 pages)

 

You can order a printed copy from these links:

 

 Click here to order it in British pounds on Amazon.com/uk
Click here to order it in US Dollars on Amazon.com
Click here to order it CDN on Amazon Canada

Click here to order it from Amazon Australia
Click here to order it in Euro on Amazon Germany
Click here to order it in Euro on Amazon Italy

Click here to order it in Euro on Amazon France

Click here to order it on Amazon Spain
Click here to order it in Japanese yen on Amazon Japan

 

 Click here to download the book for free :

A simple method to help the hungry ghosts

fragment from my book 

Worshipping Amida Buddha - liturgies and ceremonies 

of Amidaji temple 

Click here to read about the state of hungry ghosts 

Click here to return to the main 
page of ceremonies for nonhuman beings

If you find the ceremony for hungry ghosts too difficult or too long, you can simply offer food (boiled rice, cookies, fruits or vegetables) and water to Amida Buddha and say the following words:

Amida Buddha, I offer you this food and water in the name of all hungry ghosts who suffer from hunger and thirst. Please receive it like it is offered by them. May they receive infinite food to forever satisfy their hunger and an infinite quantity of clear water to forever satisfy their thirst. May they be healthy in body and mind, make indestructible connections with you, entrust to you, say your Name and wish to be born in your Pure Land. Namo Amida Bu

Varias maneras de ayudar a los seres no humanos a crear conexiones con el Buda Amida y se encomienden a Él

un sacerdote budista y un fantasma habriento

translated from English by Kosho Arana

Haz click aquí para regresar a la sección de Ceremonia para ayudar a fantasmas hambrientos y seres en el estado intermedio acrear conexiones con el Buda Amida y recibir fe

Haz click aquí pararegresar a la sección de ceremonias para seres no-humanos

Haz click aquí para regresar a la sección Instrucciones sencillas para seres en el estado intermedio (Bardo) para ayudarlos a nacer en la Tierra Pura

 Si considera que la ceremonia para los fantasmas hambrientos es demasiado difícil o demasiado larga, simplemente puedes ofrecer comida (arroz hervido, galletas, frutas o verduras) y agua al Buda Amida y decir las siguientes palabras: