AUTUMN LEAVES

Autumn

Listless trees
Shivering their leaves in autumn sunshine
Temperate mists hanging
Tightly bound to sky and meadows
Far out across the heartland of damp grassy spaces
Towards the waning of the year
In every falling leaf
A moment tumbles

SHARPHAM TALK

I will be talking at Sharpham on November 6th

The Other Buddhism
Caroline Brazier
Tuesday, November 6th 2007 at 19:30 Sharpham Centre.

Pureland Buddhism, with its devotional practice, based upon our relationship with the measureless, Amida, offers a new, other-centred perspective on our lives and our world.
Caroline Brazier, author of newly published The Other Buddhism: Amida Comes West (O-Books 2007) is a senior member of the Amida Order, a Pureland Buddhist sangha based in the UK. Besides teaching Buddhism, she is also leads the Amida Training Programme in counselling and psychotherapy from a Buddhist perspective, and is the author of Buddhist Psychology (Robinson 2003).
Donation.

Seeing Saille off

Today Saille left to return to Canada. She has gone back to be with her sister who is sick. Her departure was somewhat dramatic. At 8.00 after a farewell breakfast with delicious scones cooked by Alex, we set out to drive her to Bedford from where she can get a direct train to Gatwick. We had plenty of time as her train was at 10.00 and her flight at 2.00. Hardly had we turned onto the motorway, however, than the car engine just died. I pulled onto the hard shoulder whence we assessed the situation. Dharmavidya went to phone from the emergency phone whilst Susthama climbed down the embankment onto an ordinary road and set out to find someone with a mobile who'd let her ring the Buddhist House. To cut a long story short, Alex came to the rescue and picked up Saille and took her to the station. We have yet to hear but hope she made it to Gatwick in time. We meanwhile were eventually rescued by a nice RAC man who brought me and the car home (Susthama and Dharmavidya walked because there was not room in his van: they got back first!) Car awaiting possible repair, or we'll be looking for a replacement! Namo Amida Bu

Inaugeration of the Three Wheels Stupa

On Sunday we attended the inaugeration of the new stupa in Brookwood Cemetry. This Stupa was built by Three Wheels Temple with a bequest they received from a Zen monk. It is sited in Brookwood because four young Japanese were buried there in the nineteenth century - the first Japanese to come to England to study Western technology. The cenetry is very old a beautiful, with old trees and decaying Victorian monuments. Traditional Japanese music added to the poignancy of the occasion.

Daughter's Cats

Cath's kitten Sam meets Jenny's young cat, Billy for the first time (at Jenny's house) Sam was keen to be friends but Billy wasn't to sure. Sam was being brave - as you can see from his tail, but was very keen to befriend Billy

Jodo-shu statement on Burma

Statement on the Buddhist Channel website from the Jodo (Pure Land) Shu Buddhist Denomination on Bringing Peace to Burma
October 2, 2007
We at Jodo Shu profess our belief in non-violence and deny any warlike or military means for resolving problems, no matter the reason.
At this time, we would like to address the situation in Burma of the peaceful demonstrations by the general citizens and monastic sangha, which was formed through the Buddha’s Way. We have come to be informed that the government has used violence in response and created numerous fatalities, including one Japanese citizen. Furthermore, they have imprisoned many citizens and monks as well as looting and destroying Buddhist temples. We would like to express our indignation and deep regret about these actions. From prehistoric times up to today, humans have continued to conflict with each other. Not only has this injured and deprived many people of their lives, but has given rise to the despair and hatred of the mourning families. Peace cannot be established through violent force. Violent force gives rise to enmity as well being the trigger to an endless cycle of revenge. Shakyamuni Buddha once taught, “Everyone fears violence. Everyone cherishes life. Seeing others as oneself, one should neither kill nor allow others to be killed.” Dhammapada 130. Burma is a country with a deep Buddhist history. 90% of its citizens are devout Buddhist followers. We are shocked and cannot help being gravely concerned that Burma is now trying to resolve its problems through violence.It is our heartfelt wish that the Government of Myanmar immediately free those detained monks and citizens, and demonstrate a policy of resolving this conflict peacefully through dialogue. It is also our hope that the Japanese government and various related bodies will continue to make efforts to resolve the situation. We Jodo Shu priests and followers will not cease to pray for the rapid establishment of a world of co-existence in which humans non-violently trust, love and help one another. Sincerely In the Dharma, Rev. Kojun Inaoka Secretary General of Jodo Shu