Showing posts with label NEWS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NEWS. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Path of Acceptance - commentary on Tannisho


This book is an adaptation of my Dharma talks on the sacred text of Tannisho – Notes on Lamenting Divergences, given  at Tariki Dojo Craiova during the usual days of practice. Each chapter is explained in easy to understand terms so that to be accesible to beginers and the general public.
If you wish to support me and my Dharma activities, please consider a small donation:








[1] Jodo Shinshu means „the true teaching of the Pure Land school”. 

Sunday, October 9, 2011

NEWS! Son of Shinmon-sama at his first visit to the Hongwanji-temple



Takashi-sama, the son of Shinmon-sama (the future Patriarch of our tradition) and of Ruzumi-sama, born on 12th of May 2011, attended the ceremony of the "first visit" at Hongwanji temple on 8th of October.


In the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition, the family presents their newborn child at the temple, thus expressing the wish that the child will follow the Buddha's Path. Congratulations! Namo Amida Butsu!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Pictures from the 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin (8-11 September 2011)






link here

new pictures were added on 19th September

I recently came back from Japan where I attended the 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin, an event which is organized once in 50 years.
There are so many things to be said, stories to tell, people to mention, but I will resume myself in this article only at sharing with you pictures that might be useful for those who attended the Conference, kikyoshiki (confirmation) ceremony and pilgrimage to Mount Hiei.

I know that usually it takes a lot of time until official pictures are released by the organizers and maybe, as it often happens, some people might not find themselves in them. This is why I always hurry, after all the Conferences and meetings I attend, to make available as many pictures as possible. 
On September 11th I tried to position myself so that I could take some pictures with my members and other nembutsu friends in the foreground, receiving kikyoshiki. However, I appologize for not being able to catch all the candidates.

I am grateful to the members of my sangha for many other pictures taken by them.
Soon, more pictures will be added, so check this post for new updates! 
There is no copyright for the pictures, so feel free to share then with others!

ps:
- The same pictures can be seen on the Facebook page of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Community from Romania
- on my youtube page you can also see a video record of a small part from the Ceremony dedicated to Shinran Shonin

Friday, August 12, 2011

Handwriting of Shinran Shonin found

A piece of paper with a monk's name believed to have been written by Shinran, left, and another piece of paper with the title of the Buddhist archive Saihoshinansho and the name of one of Shinran's followers. (Provided by Takada Honzan Senjuji temple and Takada Honzan Senjuji temple)
Takada Honzan Senjuji Temple in Mie Prefecture said it found two pieces of paper that apparently contain the original handwriting of Shinran (1173-1263), founder of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect. The papers were found inside the six-book archive Saihoshinansho believed to have been written by the monk around 1256, when he was 84 years old, the temple said.

Read the entire article here
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201108110242.html

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin in Kyoto


Through the benevolence of the International Association of Buddhist Culture I will be able to attend, together with three members of Romanian sangha, the 750th Memorial of Shinran Shonin and the European Conference that will be organized on this occasion between 8th to 11th September in Kyoto.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Earthquake in Japan



We, members of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Community from Romania wish to express our solidarity with the people of Japan who are now suffering the effects of the natural disaster which falled upon their country.
We are looking forward to receive news from our Japanese Dharma friends and hope they are well and safe.

May we all deeply understand impermanence and follow the Dharma like this would be the last day of our life. In this world of suffering nobody is safe.

Namo Amida Butsu

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Buddhist books for children

Dear readers and Dharma friends,

Can you please help me with Buddhist books for children, especially cartoons? I need as many variants as possible to get inspiration for something like "Buddha's life", "Shinran's life", "Rennyo's life", Buddhist teachings with animals, etc. It does not matter if they are in Japanese (I know there are many such cartoons in Japanese), English or any language. We have no Buddhist books for children in Romanian and I intend to create some. I also know there are not so many in English, too.

If you have some free copies, please send them to my mail address:

ADRIAN CIRLEA
O.P. 6, C.P. 615
CRAIOVA, DOLJ
ROMANIA

Your help will be very much appreciated.

Namo Amida Bu,
Josho Adrian



Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Romanian tokudo candidate not recognized by me

Many days ago I received news from a Japanese source who wishes to remain  anonymous that a Romanian person is now in Japan for tokudo (priest) ordination. All the evidences indicates that she is the one who left my dojo after I did not allowed the publication in Romanian of Taitetsu Unno’s „Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold” due to some fragments from that book which I consider to be a divergence from the Jodo Shinshu teaching one can find in the sacred texts of our school.

It is traditional when one goes for tokudo that he or she first receive a recommendation from his/her priest and teacher, in this case me, who I am also the official representative in Romania.
Why this did not happen now?

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Good methods of comunication (skype, yahoo messenger, etc)

Just a short note to inform my readers and Dharma friends about new methods to keep in touch with me.

If you use skype, my id is josho_adrian

My e-mail remains the same: josho_adrian@yahoo.com

I prefer to talk with my readers and Dharma friends from abroad on  skype, rather than by phone, because its harder for me to understand English if the phone connection is bad. Sometimes I also have too much letters to answer and an online discussion might be better. I can also use webcam if you wish to see each other while talking.


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Note on the cancellation of the 16th European Shinshu Conference supposed to be held in Romania

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On January 19th  (yesterday) I received this report from Kensho Jerome Ducor Sensei, leader of the Swiss sangha. I share it with you bellow, followed by my comments.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Next European Shinshu Conference supposed to be held in Romania was cancelled

I recently received the official news of the cancelation of the next European Shinshu Conference which was supposed to be held in Romania, although I heard rumors about this before, from members of various sanghas who support me and gave me this information.

Exclusion from the German Shinshu Sangha


Here is an official document sent to me by the leadership of the German Shinshu sangha and bellow you can see my answer. Some time ago I was invited to become a member of this sangha although I am not a German, and I guess the reason was that they liked me and my style of teaching the Dharma. But after I wrote that article against Unno and other texts that came after it in the section “divergences from Jodo Shinshu teaching”, they decided that I should be kicked out. Its ok, I have nothing against exclusions, I just wanted to show you that I am not the only one capable of radical attitudes, like my action of excluding books written by Unno from the library of Tariki Dojo was considered to be.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Don't worry about copyright

Dear friends,

Recently someone asked me if he can use the articles I published on this blog for a free Dharma magazine he has in mind to create. I said, "of course you can, do it".
I am also using this occasion to tell to all the readers of this blog, that I don't mind anybody using, transmitting, copying, sharing any articles written here. The same I say about all the books I published at DharmaLion. If you wish to copy any book printed by me and share it online, I don't mind. A copyright statement is written here on the website or on the books, but I am not a bad guy and don't complain if you share all I write and print without asking money for it. I have nothing against internet pirates, too :)) In fact, I think they are all good guys, sharing the Dharma for those who can't afford it.

Of course I need money for myself and my Dharma activities and I hope many rich guys will buy from me :))) especially in this hard period, but I will never complain or say something against someone who distributes something written or printed by me if he doesn't modify the content of the text.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Back from Eko-ji




I returned from Eko-ji temple in Dusseldorf last night and now I have to make a little more journey until I finally relax at home.
This meeting was one where I couldn't become bored and this was due to the teacher Eko Haus der japanischen kultur invited - Noriaki Matsuo Sensei - who I think was the best teacher ever came to Eko Haus since I attend this kind of meetings. He gave a lecture on Shoshinge and as far as I understood from the passages translated by Marc and Chisho Frank(second picture), his commentaries were excellent and with no trace of that kind of sophisticated scholarship I don't like. Also I didn't find any distorsion of the teaching in his lecture, but only good explanations in accordance with the words of Shinran. This Sensei is rather young and unknown to the European public and I hope Eko Haus will continue to invite him at future meetings.

All the participants engaged in useful Dharma discussions on many topics related with Shoshinge, which into my opinion, made this meeting a true nembutsu meeting, one of the few that actually take place in the international sangha. I was indeed satisfied with everything happened there, not only with the lecture and talks with old friends, but also because of the Dharma discussions I had with new members like David Cwila.
After the Hoonko ceremony I could give books to visitors who attended it and others that were present in the Eko Haus. Among these gifts were the two books of Eiken Kobai Sensei printed by me at Dharma Lion. In total I gave 18 books to visitors and members, including THUS I HAVE HEARD FROM RENNYO SHONIN.

Finally, I had a beautiful surprise from my German friends who invited me to be an official member of their sangha. I consider it to be a beautiful symbol of unity and a recognition of our friendship.

I give my thanks to all the people who made this meeting possible, and those who attended it, but especially to Aoyama Sensei(third picture) - the abot of Eko-ji temple and president of Eko Haus and to those who helped me to understand the lecture and discussions which were only in German: Marc Nottelman and Chisho Frank.

May the European Sangha grow and stay united in the true Jodo Shinshu teaching of our Masters!
Namo Amida Butsu

ps:
1)those who wish to see all the pictures I took, please enter here
Some pictures are almost identical so that European sanghas can chose which is the best to use for their magazines or websites.

Announcement:
In a few days I will able to answer my letters and post a new article here

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Attending the 15th European Jodo Shinshu Conference

I am now ready for the very important trip to the 15th European Jodo Shinshu Conference in Bad Reichenhall, Germany. I will be back home at the beginning of September, so until then, I might not be able to write something here.

I packed my things and the books I always carry with me, among them, “The Collected Works of Shinran”,”The Three Pure Land Sutras” translated by Inagaki Sensei, Zuiken’s Shinshu Dharmapada, Eiken Kobai Sensei’s books, my audio recordings after some traditional texts, etc. I never go anywhere without some Dharma books and a note book to write my impressions.

The Romanian delegation to this Conference is composed of 4 people: me and three other members of Tariki Dojo Craiova, who will receive kikyoshiki on the occasion of this Conference.
They are the second wave of Romanian Jodo Shinshu Buddhists who receive this rite and Buddhist names from Go-Monshu-sama Koshin Ohtani, the Patriarch of our tradition, since I founded Tariki Dojo, in 2004.
There are still some other members here in Romania who might receive it at the next Conference. But for the moment I decided to wait and see how they will continue in their Dharma study and practice.

I am just waiting to meet some old nembutsu friends and others I have never met face to face but inspired me through correspondence, like Jason from Norway and the very important, Eiken Kobai Sensei.
I deeply regret that Paul Roberts can’t attend this Conference, but I hope that he will become an every time presence at future Conferences.

I hope these kind of Conferences become more and more places of hearing the true Dharma and receiving shinjin, and less a gathering of sophisticated scholars who talk only for themselves while the beginners are sleeping and snoring :))
Sometimes it is indeed funny to find myself sleeping, but other times I feel great pain and thoughts of retreating in the mountains or closing myself in my dojo, without talking with anybody, often come to my mind when I hear some well spread wrong understandings that I can’t imagine it exists in people’s minds.
I go to this Conference with a dual mind, so to speak: joyful to meet my true nembutsu friends and teachers and fearful of what I and new comers might hear there. While I myself know that I am truly settled in shinjin, I am especially worried about the new comers. Lets hope the papers and presentations, as well as the discussions, will be faithful to Shinran Shonin’s teaching.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Eiken Kobai Sensei will attend the 15th ESC



I am very happy to announce you that Eiken Kobai Sensei, one of the most important Jodo Shinshu teachers of our times, will attend the next 15th European Shinshu Conference in Germany.
He will give a lecture with the title: "Establishing Shinjin :The premise of peace and tranquility"

I invited him to attend and he sent me a positive answer a few days ago. I believe his presence will benefit a lot the participants who wish to receive the authentic transmission of Jodo Shinshu teaching and practice.

Kobai Sensei is well known for his traditional approach in teaching the Dharma and his faithfulness to our Founder, Shinran Shonin.
He is one of the few Jodo Shinshu teachers of our days who doesn't mix the true teaching of Shinran with his personal ideas and opinions. For me, he is a rare and precious teacher, this is why I recommend you to meet him and receive direct instructions from him.



ps: this is the website representing the teaching activities of Eiken Kobai Sensei
www.trueshinbuddhism.com

________________________________________
DHARMA LION PUBLICATIONS printed two of his books:
UNDERSTANDING JODO SHINSHU and

THE TRUE AND REAL WORLD OF SALVATION - An Introduction to the life and teaching of Venerable Master Shinran

Monday, April 21, 2008

Passing of Joryu Chiba Sensei

This is a sad news – the Chairperson of IABC (International Association of Buddhist Culture), Rev. Dr. Joryu Chiba, passed away by acute heart failure on the 12th April, 2008 at age 86.

I sent this message of condoleances to be read at his funeral service which will take place at his temple, Anraku-ji in Tokushima:

"We, European Jodo Shinshu followers owe a lot to every IABC member and to Chiba Sensei, who supported us for so many years. In Romania we have a dojo only because of IABC support. There is almost nothing I did here which was not supported by IABC. I received kikyoshiki (lay confirmation) and became a priest in Japan only because IABC supported me with a grant, Romanian kikyoshiki candidates will attend the 15th European Shinshu Conference only because they receive help from IABC, Romanian translations were printed only with IABC help, etc. IABC is a part of almost every Jodo Shinshu activity in Europe. We should always revere this devoted group of Jodo Shinshu brothers and never forget their leader, Joryu Sensei.
His passing is a lost for the international sangha, but his devoted colleagues will continue his work. Each generation passes the torch to the next, and in the end, all meet in the Pure Land. Those who go first, will protect those who still remain here for a shorter or longer period of time. Joryu Sensei will continue to guide IABC from the Pure Land.
Namo Amida Butsu,

Josho Adrian Cirlea - representative for Jodo Shinshu Romania"

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Annual General Meeting of European Buddhist Union - statement on Burma



I returned from Cadzand (Holland) where I attended the Annual General Meeting of European Buddhist Union. I had a lot of useful discussions and good time there with representatives of various Buddhist denominations in Europe. Among the many things we talked there is also a statement we release on the topic of Burma. You can read it here:

28th September 2007
The European Buddhist Union Annual General Meeting
Cadzand, Netherlands

We, the representatives of The European Buddhist Union at our Annual General Meeting being held in the Netherlands, extend our support and solidarity with the recent peaceful movement for democracy in Myanmar/Burma.
The people of Myanmar/Burma deserve the support of the international community and we therefore call upon you and all concerned agencies to take special responsibility to see that the situation receives immediate attention to avoid further harm, bloodshed and conflict. Day by day we closely follow the news. We are shocked and appalled that the military powers in control in Myanmar/Burma, whilst claiming to act in the interests of the citizens, support the killing and torturing of innocent and peaceful citizens thus trampling the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We implore the military regime to stop this killing and torturing and to accede to the wishes of the people of Myanmar/Burma. Also to respond to the outrage felt throughout the world by establishing the conditions for the flowering of justice, peace and liberty. In particular we strongly support the peaceful expression of loving-kindness and compassion for Myanmar/Burmese society by the Buddhist monks and nuns and their call for freedom and democracy. We take this opportunity to appeal to like-minded people all over the world to support such non-violent movements. We wish to convey our sincere appreciation and admiration to the large number of Buddhist monks, nuns and fellow Buddhist practitioners taking part. We are appealing to the members of the military regime who believe in Buddhism to act in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and non-violence. We pray for the success of this peace movement and the early release of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

ps: here you can read about the situation in Burma:
http://www.buddhist channel.tv/ index.php? myanmar


pictures from Burma
http://www.buddhist channel.tv/ myanmar270907/


photo1: morning recitation in the temple of Naropa Institute
photo
2: participants at the meeting - photo group in Brugge

Dharma talks on my youtube channel