JoshoAdrianCirlea

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in the Pure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zIX7-cwfPVMCzjlUqMyhRxEFBMCATEag/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in the Pure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IAw3ggVlBbeVk5alUPvx_O8IDgFEUB-W/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in the Pure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SnySVEtj84K5XjCryJstVgFb2VCxk6ia/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (515 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html Table of Contents for my commentary on section 7 – the 48 Vows of Amida Buddha: The meaning of "if when I attain Buddhahood" [...]"may I not attain the supreme Enlightenment" from each of the 48 vows 1. Vows about Amida Buddha and His Pure Land The Infinite Light of Amida Buddha – explanation of the 12th Vow Amida’s transcendental manifestations will last forever – explanation of the 13th Vow (Infinite Life) The Pure Land of Amida reveals in its Light all the Buddha-lands - explanation of the 31st Vow The manifestations of the Pure Land – explanation of the 32nd Vow 2. Vows related with the salvation of all sentient beings The vow of complete reliance on the Power of Amida - explanation of the Primal Vow (18th Vow) Vows made for those who still cling to their own power - explanation of the 19th Vow and 20th Vow No discrimination against women in the salvation of Amida Buddha - explanation of the 35th Vow All Buddhas praise Amida’s Name and encourage us to say it - explanation of the 17th Vow Beings who have faith in Amida dwell in the definitely assured state and immediately attain Nirvana after birth in the Pure Land - explanation of the 11th Vow The peace and happiness of faith (shinjin) - explanation of the 33rd vow Returning from the Pure Land - explanation of the 22nd Vow 3. Vows explaining the characteristics, the capacities and activities of beings who attained Enlightenment in the Pure Land after being born there 4. Vows related with bodhisattvas in other lands (not yet born in the Pure Land) * The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

Welcome to my Commentary on the Sutra on the Buddha of Infinite Life (Larger Sutra)! Click here to download the free online edition in pdf (513 pages), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/01/commentary-on-sutra-on-buddha-of.html The audio version of this book is a work in progress by my Dharma friend Gansen John Welch from Australia, to whom I am very grateful. A new chapter will be added as soon as it is recorded. Here you can download a selection of my other books (links for the audio versions of each book is included), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/the-true-teaching-on-amida-buddha-and.html Contact details and information about me and my temple (Amidaji), http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html If you wish to support my Dharma activities and Amidaji temple, you can do so by becoming a casual donor or a patron (constant/monthly donor). To send your donations you can use the information in the link below. Any small contribution is greatly appreciated and very much needed: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dz6186LGzKUHLtVGfnVAQeR15mzWPO8H/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eWDuE4lzA8zY2qjW6IYksEpAOFIs89h1/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/175PLIWByiEwSbt0XsPifBSVkGu1VaSvN/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xjSmdnlwLrpz6-M5mhJjttVxM0u1Il0H/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/18jc2n1UermEJ45yX9lHH1jq_KelavDdh/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O2uf3PaUDiceTTiM7DCWz30T5bDMh-84/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DB9KexFmby3u16jHDa83ucj-D34I02tr/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DjetQlotOHZb0GfcNdv4_0fKUE2oE4Oy/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/109bL-wveLyr1Z5prp5Jov-56yDh-iTC4/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wmfrs1BUlalSCizwCnKup7YQyw82IBxu/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NwDM4o0eTJv184BR_6hoRRGN8sXOdwBZ/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YKzKLe6DJxJ7LWb_Vjl9ZyZaun4jy4GF/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

Introduction by Gansen John Welch, I wrote this new poem to thank and honour my teachers Reverend Josho Adrian Cirlea and Paul Roberts as well as our Amida Dharma Masters, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tan-Luan, Daochuo, Shandao, Genshin, Honen,Shinran and Rennyo without whom I could not have found and understood (in my case, to some small extent) Amida Dharma and my utter helplessness, trapped in the endless suffering of samsara. Never forget these wise words from Tannisho by Yuienbo: “As I humbly reflect on the past [when the late master Shinran was alive] and the present in my foolish mind, I can not but lament the divergences from the true shinjin that he conveyed by speaking to us directly, and I fear there are doubts and confusions in the way followers receive and transmit the teaching. For how is entrance into the single gate of easy practice possible unless we happily come to rely on a true teacher whom conditions bring us to encounter? Let there be not the slightest distortion of the teaching of Other Power with words of an understanding based on personal views.” My hope is that readers and listeners will find that certain words, phrases, ideas and concepts in this poem resonate with their past and present experience and prove to be helpful and meaningful in increasing their understanding of this profound and preciousAmida Dharma. As Master Rennyo wrote: “There will also be those who are lacking in faith(fushinjin). This is an extremely serious matter. For unless there is a decisive settling of faith, the birth that is to come in the fulfilled land is uncertain. Therefore, those whose faith is lacking (fushin)should in all haste attain the decisive mind.The human realm is a place of uncertainty. The Land of utmost bliss is one of eternity. Hence we should not make our abode in the uncertain human realm, but rather aspire to [birth in] the eternal Land of Utmost Bliss. In our tradition, therefore, the matter of faith is placed before all else; unless we are fully aware of the reason for this, everything is meaningless. We must promptly undergo a decisive settling of faith (anjin) and aspire to birth in thePure Land.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 11: On the Anniversary of Master Shinran’s Death) “There is, then, no anxiety over becoming a Buddha. How incomparable is the all-surpassing Primal Vow! And how gracious Amida Tathagata’s light! Without encountering the [receptive] condition of this light, there can be no cure at all for the fearful sickness of ignorance and karma-hindrance, which has been ours from the beginningless past. Prompted by the condition of this light, and with the ripening of good from the past, we assuredly attain other-power faith now. It is immediately clear, however, that this is faith granted by Amida Tathagata. Hence we know now, beyond question, that this is not faith generated by the practitioner, but that it is Amida Tathagata's great other-power faith. Accordingly, all those who have once attained other-power faith should reflect gratefully on Amida Tathagata’s benevolence and repeat the nembutsu, saying the Name of the Buddha always, in gratitude for the Buddha’sbenevolence.” (The Letters of Master Rennyo, Fascicle Five, 12: On the Sleeve of Amida) I would encourage readers and listeners to share these PDFs and recordings with family and friends(especially the audio recordings for those who may have difficulties with reading) so that as many people as possible may benefit. I also hope that these verses help others and motivate them to find a good teacher like Reverend Josho AdrianCirlea, listen deeply to Amida Dharma and think and say: NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu NamoAmidaButsu Thank you Amida Buddha Homage to Amida Buddha I take refuge in Amida Buddha Click here to download the poem in pdf, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXS0bN-a3Or0VdJQastzCeGhPj7tW6zy/view?usp=sharing Gansen John Welch is a member and lay teacher of Amidaji temple and narrator of Josho Adrian Cirleas's books. You can listen to the audio versions of Rev Josho's books at these links: The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNten2hOrWQTGXhcMfpZ_3Z The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn The Mind Towards Amida Dharma https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTNun5JJtVnqXvAx3JxYq_NZ The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTN8Vk7gD2wh0LmfV4hu-0fc The Path of Acceptance - Commentary on Tannisho https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTOFtQBVGL7vx3ouFnn_K5li The 48 Vows of Amida Buddha, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TmuLHxJGTPliPyzhdJN0AYUr9ONbb0t More will follow soon! Contact details and information about Rev Josho and Amidaji temple: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

This is the official biography of Shinran Shonin as accepted by Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu, and also by our temple, Amidaji. The reason I say so is that this biography is recited aloud on every Hoonko week (Shinran’s Memorial) at Nishi Hongwanji mother temple between January 9th to January 16th. The title of the biography is “An Illustrated Biography of Shinran, Honganji's Shonin (Honganji Shonin Shinran Denne)” and was compiled by Kakunyo, the 3rd Monshu of Hongwanji temple. The narrator of this biography is Gansen John Welch, a member and teacher in Amidaji temple sangha. The edition he uses was translated by Rev Zuio Hisao Inagaki and can be accessed at this link, http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/horai/denne-index.htm Please click there if you wish to read the whole text together with introduction, images and notes. Here, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dn90sBJXtZ2_8tbOkms-n20FcSP-TUZz/view?usp=sharing you can also download the pdf containing the text narrated in this video (sections 12 to 15), excluding the notes and illustrations. The text is in larger type than the original text, so the elderly and those with eye problems may read it easily.

Click here to read and download (pdf) the explanations and the text of the liturgy (sino-japanese version and English translation available): http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2018/11/simple-nembutsu-service-from-amidaji.html#more Click aici pentru a citi si downloada explicatiile si textul liturghiei Nembutsu cu traducerea in romana: http://josho-adrian.blogspot.com/2019/07/slujba-nembutsu-templului-amidaji.html#more Click here for the Spanish explanations and text, http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2019/07/la-liturgia-del-nembutsu-del-templo.html#more It sounds better when we are more people chanting, so I invite you to the temple to enjoy together this Nembutsu service. Click here to read about how you can visit me at Amidaji, http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2016/08/announcement-amidaji-temple-is-opened.html You might also like, Three types of prostrations, Amidaji style, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynJEDg5zlN0&t=8s Click here if you wish to support me and Amidaji temple, http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html