Our Community
We are an inclusive community and follow the principle of “come, just as you are”; we welcome all people - regardless of nationality, race, sexuality, gender or disability - you will always find a warm welcome and a safe space with our community.
Our community is comprised of:
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The Amitaryas are ‘noble followers’ of Amida and they are at the centre of our community. Amitaryas are the ordained members of our community who have taken vows and made a public commitment to following the Pure Land Path. They provide leadership, spritiual friendship, pastoral support and act as Dharma Guides. We follow the Pure Land tradition of being “neither monk nor lay”, but ordination as an Amitarya is a regarded as a lifelong commitment.
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Sotpnanna means ‘stream enterer’ in Sanskrit and comprises those people that that have taken refuge with our community. A Sotopanna may or may not wish to join the ordination path – there is no expectation or obligation.
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those people who wish to practice and engage with our Community, but don’t necessarily see themselves as being on the Pure Land path.
Our ministry follows the concept of ‘hijiri’ (travelling monk or nun), but as we’re primarily an online community this is more like a digital wandering rather than a physical one. We don’t have any permanent centres or temples, as our home is the nembutsu / nienfo (our primary practice). Therefore, wherever we practise the nembutsu / nienfo - by ourselves or with others – then that place is a temple or a centre at that time.
Our aim is to take Buddha Mindfulness (Nembutsu / Nianfo) to where people are, rather than always expecting them to come to us. In this way we can keep our costs to a minimum and ensure that any donations that we receive contribute to supporting our ministry and social engagement projects - not the maintenance and upkeep of a building.
