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Amida Trust is a Pure Land Buddhist charity in England. The Trust exists to promote Buddhist faith in a form appropriate for the contemporary world. There are four main dimensions to the work of Amida Trust: religious, educational, arts & creativity, and socially engagement. The Amida Trust is affiliated with The World Buddhist University, European Buddhist Union, and Network of Buddhist Organisations, as the sponsor for Amida-Shu, a religious order that exists within the Trust.
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History
Amida Trust was founded in 1996, the inspiration of Prasada Caroline Brazier, who saw the need for an organisational vehicle for the diversity of activities that were growing from the work that she and Dharmavidya (now spiritual guide to Amida-shu) were undertaking.
Patrons
- Mary Midgley[1]
Philosopher of ethics & author of a dozen books
- Kenneth Tanaka
President of the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
- Prof. Alfred Bloom[2]
Internationally acclaimed writer and teacher of Shin Buddhism.
- Joan Court[3]
Social activist, campaigner for children's welfare and animal rights.
- Rev. Jim Pym
Pureland Buddhist priest, author, founder of the Pureland Buddhist fellowship[4].
- Ken Jones
Campaigner and writer on socially engaged Buddhism; (New Social Face of Buddhism: A Call to Action (Paperback) et al.)
- Thuy & Michael Fujimoto
- Bennett Dorrence Jnr.
- Professor Paul Knitter
Theologian
Religious Aspect
In its religious aspect, Amida Trust is affiliated to the European Buddhist Union and the Network of Buddhist Organisations as the sponsoring body for Amida-shu, a Buddhist denomination led by the Amida Order practising Amida Pure Land Buddhism. It has close associations with Pureland Buddhists in other countries, especially Japan and Vietnam, works for co-operation amongst Buddhist sanghas and between faith communities.[5]
Educational Aspect
In its educational aspect, Amida Trust is affiliated to the World Buddhist University and supports the European Buddhist Union Academic Board and provides a range of public courses including:
- Training in Buddhist psychology
- Training and development for Buddhist chaplains and ministers
- Training for volunteers
- Short courses and retreats
Arts & Creativity Aspect
Amida Trust sponsors poetry and writing events and the website Amida Muse [6] and drama activities exploring spontaneity and ritual.
Socially Engaged Aspect
As a vehicle for socially engaged Buddhism, Amuda Trust has mutual affiliation with the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and supports the Network of Engaged Buddhists and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists. Amida Trust's socially engaged work falls into sections:
- Campaigning: Amida Trust members have campaigned for peace, for an end to the arms trade, for freedom of movement and better treatment for refugees, and for an end to cruel treatment of animals.
- Aidwork: The Trust works with the Universal Maitri Foundation in India where a community work and literacy project has been developed, with the Tithandizane Project in Zambia where a health and education centre has been created, and with Niet Banh Pagoda and other groups in Vietnam to support relief work and child support.
- Volunteering: The Trust has its own scheme for training and deploying gap volunteers to Amida projects and similar ventures around the world.
- Green Work: The Trust has an interest in ecology and gardens through the Irene Brazier Memorial Fund. See also the Green Amida weblog.
References
- Amida Network. Retrieved on 21 November 2006.
- Amida Network Weblog. Retrieved on 21 November 2006. Text used with permission from Rev. Dharmavidya, November 2006.
