Buddhism & biodiversity: woods, meadows & ancient ways

Andrew's Likes

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 9 Likes

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. 9 Likes

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 2 Likes 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 8 Likes