Our History

The Amida Buddhist Order was founded in 1998 by Dharmavidya David Brazier and Caroline Brazier and grew out of a group of practitioners from various Buddhist backgrounds located in and around London in the UK.

Some of the members lived communally at what was known as the Buddhist House, where classes, retreats, and services were held and people worked locally. Others travelled to distant parts of the world to engage in missionary efforts to spread the Dharma and assist in practical ways. Precepts, rituals, and ordination ceremonies were established early and continue to evolve today.

After many years of leadership, Dharmavidya retired from the order in January 2021, and Sustama Kim Smyth, who first joined the community in 2003, was elected as next Head of the Amida Buddhist Order.

Since then, meetings and services have been held primarily online, allowing for a wider/global reach that is in keeping with a more lay oriented, ‘hijiri’ focus going forward.

(Hijiri (聖, ひじり) is a Japanese term generally meaning “holy man,” “sage,” or “ saint”. Historically, it refers to wandering Buddhist ascetics or charismatic, unconventional religious figures who operated outside traditional, state-sanctioned monasteries to serve the common people. It implies a high level of virtue and spiritual power.)