My books are available for sale on Amazon Japan

 日本の友人や読者の皆さん、私の印刷された本を日本円で直接Amazon Japanに注文することもできます！ 各書籍のリンクは次のとおりです。 

Dear Japanese friends and readers, you can also order my printed books directly from Amazon Japan in Japanese yen!
Here are the links for each books: 

AMIDA DHARMA - the essential doctrine of Amidaji International Temple 

The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

The Four Profound Thoughts which Turn the Mind Towards Amida Dharma 

 Simple Teachings on Emptiness and Buddha nature
 
Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life
 
TheTrue Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land
 
The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho
 
WorshippingAmida Buddha - Liturgies and ceremonies of Amidaji Temple 

The salvation of queen Vaidehi

Shakyamuni and Queen Vaidehi
(source of the photo)

 Fragment from my Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra. It is a work in progress and under constant revision. Click here to read the other chapters.

last revised June 6, 2024

 Commentary on sections 1 - 8

The Contemplation Sutra[1] was taught in the context of a tragedy in the royal family of Magadha[2]. Master Shan-tao[3] who also wrote a commentary on this sutra, gave a detailed account of what happened. As I don’t have access to a good/useful English translation of his commentary, I quote Rev Hisao Inagaki’s summary of Shan-tao’s explanation: 

“Shakyamuni had a cousin, Devadatta, who was greedy for fame and wealth. Seeing the Buddha receive many offerings from King Bimbisara, he wanted to take over the leadership of the sangha. He first learned supernatural power from Ananda, which he displayed to Prince  Ajatasatru; thus he won the respect of the prince and also received sumptuous offerings from him. Devadatta then approached Shakyamuni and suggested that the Buddha retire but was rebuked for his stupidity. Angered by this, he next incited Ajatasatru to usurp the throne.

Seeing that Ajatasatru hesitated, Devadatta pointed at the prince’s broken little finger and told him the following story. 

Members of Amidaji: Chikai Ana Galo (Uruguay)

    Click here to return to the spiritual biographies   

      of Amidaji members

EN/ESP
Hello my Dharma name is Chikai, which means "The Ocean of Wisdom". (of Amida's Primal Vow)
My name is Ana Galo Suárez, I am 47 years old and I live in my native country Uruguay.
When I was about 8 years old my mother bought me a children's Bible, I think that channeled the sense of faith in something bigger than me. I vividly recall some personal religious experiences related to the perception I had of a supreme reality. These thoughts were so deep that they moved me to tears.
When I was 10 years old I reflected a lot upon religious matters. I  eagerly sought high and low for the Truth, the connection with a Supreme reality that I had only an intuition about but I couldn't  name or comprehend.
I had some supernatural and wonderful experiences that I relate to spiritual dimensions as these profound experiences caused a mysterious feeling of compassion inside me.
Everything related to Chinese culture attracted me and when I was about 23 years old I began to practice Self Defense, part of the martial arts tradition of  Kung Fu.

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.

Daily schedule of a Nembutsu retreat at Amidaji

I was asked about the daily schedule of a Nembutsu retreat at Amidaji. 

A Nembutsu retreat starts at 5.45 p.m. in the first day and ends at 12.00 in the last day.

The schedule of a normal day in a Nembutsu retreat at Amidaji temple is as follows:

5.45 a.m. Wake up 

6.30 a.m. Nembutsu liturgy and teaching 

8.00 a.m. Breakfast 

9.00 a.m. Silent work 

11.00 a.m. Nembutsu liturgy and teaching 

13.00 Lunch 

14.00 Rest/free time 

15.30 Nembutsu liturgy and teaching 

17.00 Silent work 

18.00 Supper

19.30 Nembutsu liturgy and teaching 

21.00 Free time 

22.00 Lights out

The program may be modified according to specific situations.

I often receive guests without organizing a retreat, but the retreat option is always available for those who wish to try it.

Click here to read about your visit at Amidaji. 

 

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.