For many people to have a bathroom is no big deal, but here at Amidaji was something very much needed, especially for the cold season. Until now visitors who stayed in retreat for a few days in spring and summer could use the solar shower, but there was no facility for the cold season and winter. Now I finally could be able to build a small bathroom from the donations I gathered from my readers. The materials and workers I had to hire costed me around 707 euro. However, I still need to add a wooden door, a small window to this bathroom, and a radiator which will probably be done at the end of this week or the next.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Shakyamuni Buddha’s supreme appearance and the reason for His coming to this world – commentary on the section 3 of the Larger Sutra
Shakyamuni Buddha with Amida Buddha on His head |
Something very important happens with Shakyamuni Buddha just
before starting to teach this sutra, and we must understand its significance:
“At that time all the senses of
the World-honored One radiated joy, His entire body appeared serene and
glorious, and His august countenance looked most majestic.”[1]
Ananda
noticed this and realized that there is a reason, a holy intention of Shakyamuni for manifesting such a wonderful
appearance like never before:
Friday, November 2, 2018
"Thus have I heard" - The time and place of the deliverance of this sutra, commentary on section 1 of the Larger Sutra
Shakyamuni Buddha teaching the Larger Sutra |
“Thus
have I heard” is
the starting formula of any genuine teaching (sutra) of Shakyamuni Buddha. It represents
the testimony of Ananda and other direct disciples of the Enlightened One, as
well as their successors, that what they transmitted to us, the future
generations, is the authentic teaching of Shakyamuni himself, and not something
they invented. These words are always followed by the historical place where
the sutra was delivered – in our case, the Vulture Peak in Rajagṛha, and the
audience gathered there to listen to it:
“Thus have I heard. At one time
the Buddha was staying on Vulture Peak in Rājagṛha with a large company of
twelve thousand monks. They were all
great sages who had already attained supernatural powers. Their names
included the following: Venerable Ājnāta kauṇḍinya, Venerable Aśvajit,
Venerable Vāṣpa, Venerable Mahānāma, Venerable Bhadrajit, Ven erable Vimala,
Venerable Yaśodeva, Venerable Subāhu, Venerable Pūrṇaka, Venerable Gavāṃpati,
Venerable Uruvilvākāśyapa, Venerable Gayākāśyapa, Venerable Nadīkāśyapa,
Venerable Mahākāśyapa, Venerable Śāriputra, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana,
Venerable Kapphiṇa, Venerable Mahākauṣṭhila, Venerable Mahākātyāyana, Venerable
Mahācunda, Venerable Pūrṇa maitrāyaṇīputra, Venerable Aniruddha, Venerable
Revata, Venerable Kimpila, Venerable Amogharāja, Venerable Pārāyaṇika, Venerable
Vakkula, Venerable Nanda, Venerable Svāgata, Venerable Rāhula, and Venerable Ānanda.
All of these were elders.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
A Buddhist idea for Halloween - the Demon chanting Nembutsu
Oni no Nembutsu - the demon chanting Nembutsu |
If
you celebrate Halloween and you are a Nembutsu follower you can make yourself
and wear this image of Oni no Nembutsu or demon converted to Nembutsu teaching.
This Oni no Nembutsu is wearing the robes of a wandering priest, representing the idea that although blind passions might temporarily be overcame, their source remains in the heart of humans. However, we are saved by Amida Buddha exactly as we are, so the demon is actually assured of birth in the Pure Land.if he entrusts to Him.
The hammer that the demon holds in his hand and the tray hanged on his neck were used by some wandering priests to hold the rhythm during Nembutsu recitation.
Wearing this during Halloween (you can even beat the tray and recite Nembutsu) and explaining to people what it actually represents, you can help others make a connection with Amida Buddha. Even Halloween can be an occasion of spreading Amida Dharma, if you chose to celebrate it.
This Oni no Nembutsu is wearing the robes of a wandering priest, representing the idea that although blind passions might temporarily be overcame, their source remains in the heart of humans. However, we are saved by Amida Buddha exactly as we are, so the demon is actually assured of birth in the Pure Land.if he entrusts to Him.
The hammer that the demon holds in his hand and the tray hanged on his neck were used by some wandering priests to hold the rhythm during Nembutsu recitation.
Wearing this during Halloween (you can even beat the tray and recite Nembutsu) and explaining to people what it actually represents, you can help others make a connection with Amida Buddha. Even Halloween can be an occasion of spreading Amida Dharma, if you chose to celebrate it.
Have
fun! 😃
Namo
Amida Bu
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Pure Land poems by Gansen John Welch
Gansen John Welch |
He is now working on the audio version of my newest book, The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism - click here to see the playlist.
Here you can read about his spiritual journey - My Path to True Shin Buddhism
Here in this playlist you can listen to all his poems on Pure Land Buddhism:
Here you can read about his spiritual journey - My Path to True Shin Buddhism
Here in this playlist you can listen to all his poems on Pure Land Buddhism:
Friday, October 19, 2018
Beautiful religious gifts from Izumiya Company (Japan) for Amidaji temple
I
am very grateful for this unexpected presents and sponsorship.
Thank
you, Izumiya Company and Rev Oku Kyokai.
Namo
Amida Bu
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