Simple Teachings on Emptiness and Buddha Nature (book)

"Speak to dreamers in the language of dreams"[1]

Emptiness and Buddha nature are very hard topics and we, Jodo Shinshu followers who have a simple faith in Amida, do not possess the high spiritual capacities of the advanced esoteric Vajrayana practitioners, so it would be impossible and useless to try to enter too deep into this topic. It is not the practice of our school to recognize and dwell in ultimate reality in the present life, with this very body, so we do not need to know everything about emptiness and Buddha nature. However, it is good to know a few things about it so that we cannot be confused by false spiritual friends who play smart with such terms and use them in a distorted manner to justify or impose their own opinions on others. This is why from the immense ocean of authentic Dharma literature on emptiness and Buddha nature I took only a small part which is enough to have a little clue about this topic, as little as samsaric dreamers like us can have. 

Spiritual biographies of Amidaji members

At the moment I am writing these lines Amidaji has members in 13 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Romania, Russia, Germany, Uruguay, Chile, Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Cook Islands. 

Here are the spiritual biographies of only some of them like who they were before, how they found Jodo Shinshu, etc. More will follow soon. 

Hokai Sylvie Kirsch (Cook Islands)

Rev Josho Adrian Cirlea (Romania) 

 

Gansen John Welch Sensei (Australia)

Joshin Dave Kruemcke (USA) 

Koshin Jose Pomales (USA)

Koshin Samuel Jacob Weaver (USA)

 

Keshin Maria Zita D'Abreu (Australia) 

 

Shaku Hogen (United Kingdom) 

Daigan Alejandro Macia (Uruguay)

Chikai Ana Galo (Uruguay) 

 

Hozan Elmir Bratic (USA)

 

Shaku Kishin (Germany)  

 

Shaku Hōryū Stephen (USA)

Shaku Daishin (Germany)

 

Shaku Hojun (Russia)  

Shingyo Yuri (Russia) 

 

Gansen Catalin Suru (Romania) 

Dodatsu Nerio Quinones (Argentina)

Jinshin Catalina (Romania) 

Shaku Shoshin (Philipinnes)

Myokaku Fernando Andaluz (Mexico)

Kosho Arana  (Colombia)

ENSEÑANZAS SENCILLAS SOBRE VACUIDAD Y NATURALEZA BÚDICA (libro)

Click here for the English edition 

La vacuidad y la naturaleza Búdica son temas muy difíciles y nosotros, los seguidores del sendero Jodo Shinshu, quienes tenemos una fe simple en Amida, no poseemos las altas capacidades espirituales de los practicantes avanzados del Vajrayana, por lo que sería imposible e inútil tratar de adentrarnos demasiado en este tema. No es la práctica de nuestra escuela tratar de reconocer y morar en la realidad última en la vida presente, con este mismo cuerpo, por lo que no necesitamos saber todo sobre la vacuidad y la naturaleza Búdica. Sin embargo, es bueno saber algunas cosas al respecto para que no nos confundan los falsos amigos espirituales que juegan inteligentemente con tales términos y los usan de manera distorsionada para justificar o imponer sus propias opiniones a los demás. Es por eso que del inmenso océano de auténtica literatura del Dharma sobre la vacuidad y la naturaleza de Buda tomé solo una pequeña parte, que es suficiente para tener una pequeña pista sobre este tema, tan poco como los soñadores samsáricos como nosotros podemos tener.

The main difference between Esoteric Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

Question:

Please tell me in a few words the main difference between esoteric Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

My answer:

Both Dharma Gates are true and both aim at attaining Buddhahood for oneself and all beings. However, they differ in the means of attaining it. For example, Esoteric Buddhism thinks they can attain it in the present body, while Jodo Shinshu says it will be attained in the Pure Land.

If you want to attain Buddhahood in this body, then you can try the advice of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon (esoteric) Buddhism:

"Form mudras with your hands,
recite mantras with your mouths,
and dwell in meditation with your minds."

(Attaining Buddhahood in This Body, Kobo Daishi)

However, if you know you cannot attain Buddhahood in this body and you wish to attain it in the Pure Land after death, follow this modified advice:

Put your hands in gassho,

say Namo Amida Bu with your mouth

and entrust to Amida Buddha with your mind.

This is similar with following the instructions of Amida in His Primal Vow:

“entrust yourself to me, say my Name and wish to be born in my Land”.

Amidaji is open to international membership

Do you want a Sangha which focuses on solving “the greatest matter of afterlife” through simple faith in Amida Buddha?

Do you want a Sangha which is not ashamed to be religious, devotional and faith oriented?

Do you want a Sangha which is not affiliated to the ideological agenda of political groups?

Do you want a healthy Dharmic environment focused on listening deeply to the Jodo Shinshu teaching as it was taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin?

Do you want a place without modernists and false teachers who are not capable to accept the existence of Amida Buddha and His Pure Land?

If your answer to the above is YES, then Amidaji International Temple might be the right place for you! We accept members from any country and we intend to develop a genuine Sangha of orthodox Jodo Shinshu Buddhists all over the world.

Click here to read Amida Dharma –the essential doctrine of Amidaji.

Click here to download our Constitution, find everything you need to know about the purpose of Amidaji, activities, membership, priesthood, organization, etc.

Click here to read the conditions to be accepted as a member of Amidaji

Please read carefully the information from the above links and think deeply before joining us.  Do not hurry. Life and death is serious business and we are looking for dedicated people.

Namo Amida Bu 

Amidaji members: Gansen Catalin Suru (Romania)

Josho and Gansen Catalin Suru

at Amidaji

 Click here to return to the main page of the spiritual biographies of Amidaji members

My name is Gansen Catalin Suru. I became a Jodo Shinshu follower   because  of the simplicity of the teachings and the orthodox/authentic     style  of  Amidaji. I feel at home here, in this sangha, and I enjoy the true   spirit of camaraderie among the members. I could not be in another place   for two simple reasons: I can’t attain Enlightenment through my own   power and Amida’s Primal Vow was made especially for me, so I can’t   refuse Him, like you cannot refuse somebody who is saving your life.   Amida Buddha is not only saving my life from this body, but from all the   deaths of samsaric dream, so it’s impossible for me to refuse His Call.  

Gansen repairing the
electricity of Amidaji

Before coming to Jodo Shinshu I was not so much   interested in religion, so I can't say I have a spiritual past. However, my eyes were opened by the Buddha Dharma to the hidden reality beyond the ordinary appearances and made me ask questions that I had never asked before. After understanding the teachings on karma, rebirth and Nirvana, aspiration for the permanent true Reality of Buddhahood was awakened in me and I realized that the only Path to reach it is through the Compassionate Vow of Amida. 

Namo Amida Bu,

Gansen Catalin Suru

Gansen Catalin Suru always comes on his bike to Amidaji

Gansen Catalin Suru is the electrician of Amidaji. Whenever there is any problem with the electrical system or the computer, he comes and fixes it. I always call him "Boss" ("Sefu" in Romanian, "Jefe" in Spanish) Its a nickname I gave him out of respect and gratitude. 

Members of Amidaji: Shingyo Yuri (Russia).

 Click here to return to the spiritual biographies of Amidaji members

UPDATE: Since August 23, 2022 Shingyo has been appointed as lay teacher of Amidaji sangha

My Dharma name is Shaku Shingyo. I am from Russia. I am a member of Amida-ji International Temple since I received kieshiki from my sensei Rev. Josho,  back in June 2020.

My spiritual quest, which lasted almost 30 years, began in early childhood, when my inner world literally exploded when I accidentally got immersed in a kind of meditation, during which I realized that I am not a body. Since then, I started my search.