AMIDA
TRUST

Occasional paper

DEVELOPING THE AMIDA SHEFFIELD GROUP

by Mike Fitter

In a sense this topic was chosen for me. I offered three possible topics to the Ministry student group and asked them which they had most interest in. The other two topics I offered were Organising the February Living Buddhism Conference and leading Transformative Mediation – training workshops with the Sheffield Neighbourhood Mediation volunteers group. Rather quickly the third topic received a vote from two students and it was “chosen'. Reflecting on this, I realise I probably would not have chosen it myself, for the following reasons:

  1. If someone had chosen the February Conference they may also have volunteered to help organise it, so I would have had a colleague in this task.
  2. The Transformative Mediation topic is of considerable interest to me intellectually and practically – it would be enjoyable to discuss the nature of transformative mediation, and how one teaches it to others – already I've made links to David's paper "Stem of the Lotus".
  3. Writing about the development of the Sheffield Group would present a challenge in that I am the only member doing the Ministry programme and I need to be careful not to present the work of other active members as if it were my achievement. I am not the “leader” of the group and I need to be careful not to give this impression.
Yet the topic was selected. I could have changed the decision, but perhaps the first step towards the “Bodhisattva Ideal” is to accept the choice of others and to welcome the opportunity and challenges it presents.

Sheffield Group
The Sheffield Amida group has been meeting for about 3 years – I joined it 18 months ago. It was begun by Gina and Julian, still active members. For most of the past 18 months there have been 5 active members, including myself. Two or three other people have “sampled it” for short periods. We meet monthly, usually for half a day, occasionally for a whole day. Our typical format for gatherings is as follows:

    Bring some lunch to share
    Check in / Beginning Anew (how we are, what we look forward to today etc)
    Theme for the session
    Meditation
    Tea and reflections / review / plans
Themes for the session are very broadly based and have included meditational dancing, Feldenkrais technique, a visit to “Pure Land” (a house and garden run by a Japanese Buddhist monk), as well as more obvious topics such as considering what our values are as an Amida group, what spiritual experience and practice means to us, listening to a tape of a talk by David.

A couple of new members joined in the spring of 2000 (linked to a visit to the group by Modgala). At this time we decided to organise a weekend workshop/retreat on the theme “Buddhism at Work” with David as our guest teacher. This was held at the end of September and was a considerable success. Four new members joined the group (it remains to be seen whether they become active members). The organising of the workshop/retreat was undertaken by Gina, Julian and myself. Up until now the regular 5 members have taken equal roles in the organising of the group (we rotate the venue around our homes, we take it in turns introducing the theme for the day – in this sense we share the leadership). It seems that now however, with the support of the others, Gina, Julian and I are taking on more of a primary organising role.

Developing the Group
Following my decision made in July to join the Amida Trust Ministry Training Programme, I have been keen to explore ways of teaching Buddhist practice and theory, using the Sheffield Amida Group as one of the vehicles for this. This presents two challenges in particular:

  1. I have rather limited (and possibly idiosyncratic) knowledge of Buddhist practice and theory.
  2. I need to be sensitive to the views of other members of the group and not act as if I can make decisions about the future direction of the group, simply because I am a Ministry student.
Others in the group are clearly more knowledgeable about Buddhism than me. Indeed, at a recent discussion of whether we regarded ourselves as Buddhist or not, Julian was the only one present who said he did. From discussions about future activities Julian has expressed a particular interest in setting up an introductory group for people new to Buddhism – we have a belief that the usual format of our monthly meetings would not be helpful for anyone new to Buddhism who wants to find out what it is about, because we don't discuss “Buddhism” explicitly very often, and when we meditate together we do so in silence without any guidance. Thus an introductory group could be of benefit.

Gina has expressed an interest in a Sutra study group, an interest not much shared by other members of the group, though since my commitment to the Ministry programme it is a subject I realise I need to get to grips with, having no experience of original Buddhist texts myself.

These factors have suggested a way forward to me. To start an introductory group with Julian (he has experience of this through the FWBO and a DIY Thich Nat Hahn group) and to start a Sutra group with Gina (she has studied Christian texts as part of her Theology degree). Thus my strategy is, in each endeavour, to work alongside someone who is more knowledgeable than me, from whom I can learn and share the leadership task.

Gina and Julian each agreed to this idea. So the next task was to put it to the group at its monthly meeting. This happened at the end of October, at a meeting Julian was not able to attend. The group had a lot of interest in the topic and was encouraging with some reservations. The greatest concern was what impact the new introductory group may have on the established group. We acknowledged it would be very different if several new members joined but that this wasn't about an introductory group per se. What was relevant was that the “feeder” group should not become seen as THE route by which one joins the full Sheffield Amida group (this is something the FWBO do that we do not wish to replicate).

We want to continue to keep open the possibility of anyone joining the full group directly if they have the requisite interest. Otherwise, we will be creating an “entry criterion” which seems to be incompatible with the Amida Trust approach which is a “broad church” of people who share an interest in engaged (applied) Buddhist practice, without aligning to any particular school of Buddhism or any specific meditation practices.

Helpful suggestions were made about establishing a Sutra group. One member has past experience of Christian textual study, another expressed interest in the group once established. We initially considered contacting other local Buddhist groups to enquire if they had an interest in a multi– group group. On second thoughts this did not seem a good idea. We need to get some experience for ourselves before we branch out. It was also suggested we might enquire if any University students studying comparative religion may be interested, though this led to us into recognising that the purpose of the Sutra group will be to consider texts for their relevance to daily living – not to get into academic discussions on the meaning of specific phrases etc. (a “weaving the threads into our daily existence” group!)

Since the meeting I have met with Julian and with Gina and we have discussed the development of each group. Each will start formally in the New Year – the introductory group will probably be weekly for 5 or 6 weeks. The Sutra group will be ongoing (with terms and breaks) meeting fortnightly. We have considered discussing the same texts as the Sutra egroup, so as to benefit from their input, but have not decided on this yet.

Developing myself
As I have begun to think about designing sessions for the introductory group I have realised how much I need to learn myself. I've reflected on my meditation practice and recognised how “loose” it can be. I feel some “shame” in that I say to myself "I couldn't teach anyone what I actually do!" This has had the effect of sharpening up my practice already, perhaps a small step towards the Bodhisattva ideal! I'm looking forward to further sessions with Julian as we design and plan the course.

Gina and I have begun considering the Shantideva texts together. I can't say I find them rewarding at the moment – just rather archaic. But the commentaries on the Sutra egroup have been helpful, as has the discussion on Shantideva initiated by Ian. I recognise I have a lot to learn and am very grateful for having the involvement of Gina in the enterprise.

Using this work as an On– line conference Paper
I've addressed the challenge of how I can use what is actually joint work by agreeing with Gina and Julian that I will show them the essay I submit prior to doing so, and ask for their comments. Minimally, I am checking that I'm not saying anything that is incorrect or that would offend them in some way. More than that, I'm seeking feedback that may enhance my contribution to the Ministry programme.

It pleases me greatly that my Amida friends in Sheffield are part of this enterprise and that we have agreed an arrangement that creates the conditions for me to learn from them, and I hope them from me too, at the same time setting in motion activities that will spread Buddhist teaching to others as yet unidentified.

Afterthought
Having just read Paul's contribution on his work with addiction and the homeless, I am reminded of why I felt a little reluctant to chose the topic I have chosen. Paul writes with great clarity and a directness of vision – the passion and compassion are palpable. There is a clear need. Paul has something important to offer. He is going about it by skilful means.

This is true for quite of bit of my work (paid and unpaid) as for example the work I do on transformative mediation in situations of conflict. Developing the local group feels different. It functions rather well already as a vehicle for members to share and explore their lives in the context of a Buddhist path. So, in my perception, it doesn't need any particular development, nor is there any particular skill of mine that would be otherwise lacking.

In a sense I am doing this development work because I have joined the Ministry programme, not because I feel deeply a need for something different (as does Paul, and as do I in much of my work). So does this mean that this idea is ill conceived? I hope not. I do think I need to put more consideration into my motives, but I can see why the development of the group is important. There is value in offering what we have (our sangha, and our individual skills and experience) to a wider group of people. Who knows who will be drawn to the group? Who knows what needs will be met, what skilful means will be drawn upon in unexpected ways? So, fundamentally, I think my difficulty is insufficient faith in the work when I can't see clearly whom it might benefit and how. Not a reason to pull away from the work, better to recognise my doubt, to examine it deeply, and to see it as part of the process of pursuing the Bodhisattva ideal!

And finally …
Here is part of the feedback I received from Gina to the above (quoted with permission)

    "1. It puts me in mind of something you said a while ago in relation to yourself in Amida. We were talking about the need to take care of the sangha, and you saw yourself as in some way having that role. Despite David's imagined response of “you would do that wouldn't you', and your willingness to be challenged on it, there was also a value which you seemed to feel you in some way stood for. The development of the Sheffield group involves not only persons unknown but also development for all of us in the existing group. I think it would be fair to say that the last meeting called upon people's involvement in a new way, and the three of us who are planning to lead on the new activities are all breaking new ground. In this sense the development of the group is part of the care and maintenance of the group.
    2. Is there an edge here about the “Buddhist” label? After all, in these activities we are making this acknowledgment/claim in a way unfamiliar to most of us."

    M. Fitter
    November 2000