June 2017
Amida Buddha
photo
Amida Buddha
3 Likes
April 2017
NIEN FO
Commentary on the Summary of Faith & Practice (part 5)
TEXT (is) the practice of Nien Fo
COMMENTARY
Nien means mindfulness. It also means an impulse of mind. The Japanese form is “nen” which b…
Discussion
NIEN FO
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March 2017
BODY, SPEECH & MIND
Commentary upon Summary of Faith and Practice (part 6)
TEXT with body, speech and mind
COMMENTARY This phrase occurs a great many times in Buddhist texts. Clearly it means “in all ways”. “Body” refer…
Discussion
BODY, SPEECH & MIND
5 Likes
THE DIARIES OF SOPHIA TOLSTOY
I am currently reading this work, translated by Cathy Porter, published in London by Alma Books. This paperback edition was published in 2010.
I am finding it more interesting than I expected. You ca…
Discussion
THE DIARIES OF SOPHIA TOLSTOY
2 Likes
February 2017
SUNDAY 19 Feb ~ And the Seventh Day Thou Sha…
I like to rotate the physical jobs so today it was liming walls. My technique has gradually improved and today I got quite a bit done. My son kindly bought me some extra tools for my birthday so they…
Discussion
SUNDAY 19 Feb ~ And the Seventh Day Thou Sha…
5 Likes
THE DEATHLESS
QUESTION: I think I broadly understand deathless. The state of no rebirth and therefore no more death? How does deathless differ from immortal. If there is no more birth and no more death surely this…
Discussion
THE DEATHLESS
2 Likes
January 2017
TUESDAY 31st Jan ~ End of Winter?
The end of the month. I wonder if it is the end of the winter. I mean, of course, the real winter, the winter defined by the elements, not the winter designated by the calendar. Here at La Ville au R…
Discussion
TUESDAY 31st Jan ~ End of Winter?
5 Likes
THURSDAY 19 Jan ~ Tarts & Mantras
Cold Days
It is another frosty morning. Frost on the east window is thicker and climbs almost to the top of the top pane. Nonetheless, it does not feel quite so cold. Paradoxically, this may be becau…
Discussion
THURSDAY 19 Jan ~ Tarts & Mantras
8 Likes
SATURDAY 7th Jan ~ Big Birthday.
This afternoon the Amida Sangha had arranged a celebration event to mark my 70th birthday. It was a lovely occasion. Many people came including some I had not seen for a long time. My English childre…
Discussion
SATURDAY 7th Jan ~ Big Birthday.
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December 2016
Seasonal Message from the Head of the Amida O
The years 2016 and 2017 may well be seen from the future as a turning point in world politics. There is certainly a sense that the current order is fragmenting in Europe and North America,…
Blog
Seasonal Message from the Head of the Amida O
8 Likes
FRIDAY 9 December ~ Remembering Enlightenment
This is the season for remembering the enlightenment of Buddha. Traditionally, in the far east, Bodhi Day is December 8th. Yesterday, the 8th, we did some chanting and today, 9th, we did continuous p…
Discussion
FRIDAY 9 December ~ Remembering Enlightenment
4 Likes
Tara & Quan Yin
photo
Tara & Quan Yin
3 Likes
FRIDAY 2 December ~ Life in the Cold
We are in the middle of a cold spell here. The temperature has hardly risen above zero all day. As we were driving to Oasis this morning the car thermometer was indicating the outside temperature as…
Discussion
FRIDAY 2 December ~ Life in the Cold
4 Likes
November 2016
THE LAND OF LOVE & BLISS
TEXT: without which we would already perceive the land of love and bliss Perception of the land is a foundational religious experience. Religious form is substantially grounded in it and much of…
Discussion
THE LAND OF LOVE & BLISS
7 Likes
SUNDAY 13 Nov ~ How do I get that up there?
A day's work in pictures
Very nice stairway. I don't know how much it weighs, but I can't lift it. It needs to go in the wellhole that you can just see at the top of the picture.
I decided to sleep…
Discussion
SUNDAY 13 Nov ~ How do I get that up there?
6 Likes
THURSDAY 10 November ~ and then it stopped
This evening as I was cooking dinner I suddenly realised that something felt different, deep, affecting... what was it? Then I knew. Silence - total silence. The wind had stopped. We have had wind co…
Discussion
THURSDAY 10 November ~ and then it stopped
3 Likes
IT TAKES SPIRIT
The following is the text of a message I sent out within the Amida sangha earlier today...
This morning we awake to find out what the majority of Americans really think, just as we…
Blog
IT TAKES SPIRIT
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TUESDAY 8 Nov ~ Thirteenth Day of Solitude
Thirteen, supposedly a magic number, unlucky for Christians, foundation of empire for Gengis Khan. Today it was cold. I shall have to start wearing socks. The cat and I both ran outside in glee to…
Discussion
TUESDAY 8 Nov ~ Thirteenth Day of Solitude
2 Likes
STRANGER IN YOUR OWN LAND
The BBC have run a couple of articles recently about the problem of being a long term expat. I can identify with much of what is written - not feeling 'at home' anywhere; finding it better not to…
Blog
STRANGER IN YOUR OWN LAND
3 Likes
HOW IT IS TO BE ALONE
QUESTION: Dear Dharmavidya,… As you were used to travel a lot, to go where you're asked, to be in groups, to give workshops and talks...what is it to have to stay on the same place, in a little commu…
Discussion
HOW IT IS TO BE ALONE
10 Likes
WEDNESDAY 2 November ~ A walk by the lake
Autumn leaves not yet fallenseem to float in mid-airabove the Lake of St Bonnet;like the terraces of heaven.Below them the fallen have turned brown,while all in amongst there remainsa visual perfume…
Discussion
WEDNESDAY 2 November ~ A walk by the lake
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