Nichiren Shu Buddhist Temple of UK Newsletters

Reports of Recent Activities and Events

Schdeule November and December 2011 and January 2012

Sunday 4th December at 1pm - Jodo-e (Buddha's Enlightenment) Service and potluck lunch

Prince Siddhartha left his castle and travelled all over to seek the truth of life. He engaged in severe training for six years, but he could not find any answers. He realised that the severe training he had done was not the proper way to find the answers, so he switched to more moderate practices. After seven days of meditiation, in the early morning of December 8th, under a tree in Gaya, India, the Prince attained Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha. The Jodo-e Service commemorates the Buddha's Enlightenment. During the Service, we will light a candle and offer it to the Buddha. The candle symbolizes the Buddha's wisdom that illuminates darkness in our heart. Please bring a white, fragrance-less candle.

Sunday 11th December at 1pm - Service

Sunday 18th December at 1pm - Service

1st January - New Years Service at 1pm followed by Potluck Lunch

For information on Services in January and February, please contact us.

Nichiren Shu Buddhist Temple of UK Newsletters

O-Bon (08-09/07)                                                                    PDF Version

No Anger Day (10-12/07)                                                        PDF Version

James' Slope (01-02/08)                                                         PDF Version

The Lotus Sutra and the Eternal Budha (03-04/08)                PDF Version

Sweep dirt, clean grime! (05-06/08)                                        PDF Version

The Third Treasure: Sangha (07-08/08)                                 PDF Version

Wonder of Odaimoku (09-10/08)                                             PDF Version

The King of Hell "Enma the Great" (11-12/08)                         PDF Version

"The Spider's Web" (01-02/09)                                                PDF Version

Values of Enlightenment  (03-04/09)                                       PDF Version

Bodhisattva in the form of a Train Conductor (05-06/09)        PDF Version

Recent Activities and Events

Basics of Buddhism and Nichiren Shu Seminar (Practice and Study) - August 2011

We held a successful seminar over three days at the end of August on the Basics of Buddhism and Nichiren Shu lead by Rev. Tsukamoto and Rev. Cederman of Choeizan Enkyoji Temple in Seattle. The seminar included lectures on basic Buddhist doctrine, the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Shonin's life, Nichiren Shu, and service manner; as well as activities such as silent meditation, Shabutsu (copying the Buddha's image), Shakyo (copying the Sutra), and Shodaigyo.

Below: Participants doing Shakyo (copying the Sutra).

Due to the success of the Seminar we plan to hold another seminar in 2012.

Previous news:

Nichiren-Shu Service Book

NBIC - Nichiren Buddhist International Center released a new Service Book. This is a unique traditional Japanese-style chanting book and covers primary content in both Japanese and English: Invocation, Verses on opening the Sutra, Hoben-pon, Nyorai Juryo-Hon, Jinriki-Hon, Yokuryoshu, Nichiren Shonin's writings, prayers etc. The cost to purchase is £18 plus shipping.

EUROPEAN RETREAT AT RENKOJI TEMPLE, ITALY - 19th-21st September

The first European Lay Persons retreat was held in September. The retreat was carried out under monastic conditions including vegetarian meals; abstinence from mobile phone use, alcohol, cigarettes and coffee for the duration. The retreat was conducted in English and Italian by the resident Priests from Europe, Japan and the United States.

MEMBERS OF THE SANGHA ATTEND NIPPONZAN MYOHOJI MILTON KEYNES PAGODA CEREMONY - Sunday 15th May

The event was a great day out for all. It was a fantastic inter-faith celebration of the efforts of the monks and nuns of Nipponzan Myohoji, and a declaration of support for peace throughout the world. Representatives Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Paganism gave prayers for peace; and members of the Nipponzan Myohoji, Theravada, Tibetan and Pure Land traditions all chanted.

Other speakers included Councillor Mrs Jan Llyd, Mayor of Milton Keynes, and Bruce Kent, ex leader of CND.

BUDDHISM SEMINAR IN SHEFFIELD – Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April.

Rev. Tsukamoto held a Buddhism Seminar in Sheffield. He preached about the Buddha’s life, basic Buddhism teachings, Nichiren Shonin’s life, the Lotus Sutra and service manner. There were a total of eight people who attended and shared the teachings and food. The Seminar was successful and concluded with anticipation for the next seminar.

SHINTO KENSHU (Nichiren Shu Buddhist workshop) - 23rd-24th March

As an experiment, we held 'Shinto Kenshu' (Workshop for Nichiren Shu Buddhist) on the 23rd and 24th of March 2008. It was very successful. This workshop covered mainly practice rather than study: checking and correcting chanting Odaimoku and Sutra practice, service manner, how to treat the altar, meditation and copying the Sutra, Sui-gyo (water practice) and Shodaigyo. Three people attended and everyone enjoyed the workshop and scrubbed their faith through this workshop. The cost was £30 per person which included meals and accommodation. We will plan the next Shinto Kenshu in the Summer.

Rev. Tsukamoto visits Finland - Report in Nichiren Shu News