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. 

Words for everyday life

fragment from my book 

Worshipping Amida Buddha - Liturgies 

and Ceremonies of Amidaji Temple 

These are the words that I say every morning after waking up and during the night when going to bed. It is how I begin and end my day.  They are not poetic, but simple and direct. My mental capacities being very limited I especially composed these simple sayings so that I can easily remember them. I also say them during the day when I am too busy to do anything else:

Amida Buddha, I take refuge in you and say your Name in faith. 

Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu.

May all beings join me in taking refuge in you and saying your Name in faith.

Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu. 

Amida Buddha, I wish to be born in your Land of Peace and Bliss.

Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu.

May all beings join me and wish to be born in your Land of Peace and Bliss.

Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu.  

Amida Buddha, thank you for saving us as we are. 

Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu, Namo Amida Bu 

These words are in accord with the three recquirements of the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha: „entrust to me, say my Name and wish to be born in my land”. By aspiring that all beings join me in taking refuge in Amida, saying His Name in faith and wishing to be born in His Pure Land I invite them to be in accord with the Primal Vow. Its good to say these words as you never know who else, beside Amida Buddha, is hearing you.

Transcript of Amidaji Sangha meeting on Zoom (November 8th 2020)

             

Rev Josho Adrian Cirlea on zoom in Amidado
(Hall of Amida) of Amidaji temple 

 Because members of Amidaji are from   different   countries and they can't all visit Amidaji in   the   same time we organize online meetings on Zoom   twice a month. First we have a Nembutsu liturgy  and  then a question and answer session. Here is a   revised and proofread fragment from the previous   meeting. Participants are only given their Buddhist   names.  

 Joshin:

 One of the things that I'm finding amazing is the   Other Power of Amida. And how the more you   become a person of faith, you realize that faith in Amida is not from you. It can't be from you. And it comes directly from Amida and I see so much proof of that, in my faith. When it's like everything else in my life is in upheaval and change and flux. The only thing that remains unchanging is my faith in Amida Buddha. And it just I still find that amazing. 

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: