
Here are some videos that are part of our Vow22 Series to give you a flavour of what you might find on the Vow22 programme. Some of the modules contain Dharma talks that you can listen to and reflect upon and others focus on texts. The first is a a talk given by Dr. Richard Ollier about Honen’s Ishimai Koshoman. This text is found in the Key Pureland Texts in the Vow22 programme offered by the Order. This introductory video is followed by two talks given on April 10, 2021 by Dharmavidya David Brazier, explaining the concept of Other Power.
Susthama will be offering a Vow22 study group for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge in Buddhism. We will start with a guided meditation and then use some material from the Vow22 programme as our focus.
Join us on Mondays at 1.30-3.00pm (UK time) This group will run from March – 19 July 2021
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89493459394?pwd=S1VjTlRGQXk4VjlTNGc5cUtrcVNRUT09
Meeting ID: 894 9345 9394. Passcode: 496068
Lessons include written and audio teachings by Dharmavidya David Brazier, Founder of the Amida School, and you’ll be guided through the course by a personal tutor.
Topics covered include: Contemplation and Worship. Ancestors of the Pureland Tradition, Pureland Buddhism in Everyday Life, Contemplation & Worship, and Buddhist Psychology.
Richard Ollier, the main course leader writes: Vow 22 aims to provide its students with a comprehensive grounding in the history, philosophy and practice of Pureland Buddhism, and, in particular, the work of the founder of the Amida Order, Dharmavidya David Brazier.
Although the course is delivered from a distinctly Pureland perspective, we welcome students of all persuasions (Buddhist and non-Buddhist) who are genuinely interested in discovering more about this particular form of Buddhism. Indeed, students who are not Pureland Buddhists often make an especially enriching contribution to the course through their assignments.
It is suitable for those who simply wish to widen and deepen their knowledge of a form of Buddhism which has a long tradition in Asia, but which is a relative newcomer in Europe, as well as for people acting as Buddhist chaplains, or pursuing ministry in various forms. It is particularly pertinent for ordained members of the Amida Order, but it should be noted that it does not qualify people for ordination.
Students do not have to write traditional ‘essays’ in response to assignments (though they can certainly do so if they wish), and can produce creative work (poems, diagrams) and small pieces of research if these kind of response meet their needs. We work in a spirit of inclusion, and value student enthusiasm! We aim to comment in reasonable detail on each assignment submitted to us, but we do not ‘grade’ assignments: we are interested in helping people educate themselves, not in ‘assessing’ them. Students can work at their own pace through the modules – we realise that people often have busy work and family lives, and have to fit studying in around these. We are especially interested in assisting students to reflect constructively on their own ‘religious lives’.

Vow 22 costs £200 GBP for the full course, or £20 per module. Students often pay on a module-by-module basis, though they can pay for the full course all at once if they so desire. Payment can be taken in any currency via Paypal. We understand that some people may find it a challenge to afford these fees, so please email vow22programme@gmail.com if you are interested in taking the course.
Currently, the available modules are: Preliminary Assignments Suggested first module: Characteristics of the Amida School Contemplation and Worship. Ancestors of the Pureland Tradition Part One Ancestors of the Pureland Tradition Part Two Pureland Buddhism in Everyday Life The Larger Pureland Sutra Key Pureland Texts The Lotus Sutra Introduction to Buddhist Psychology *Introduction to Buddhist Theology *The Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra Ojo Retreat Ministry as Profession.
Modules marked * demand considerable background knowledge and should probably be tackled later rather than sooner in a person’s Vow 22 ‘career’. Whenever a registered student wishes to start a new module, he or she should email vow22programme@gmail.com if they require advice on module choice.Further information about module content is available on request.
If this course sounds ‘your cup of tea’, we very much look forward to hearing from you!

We use paypal, however, if you wish to make a bank transfer then please email vow22programme@gmail.com for bank details.
Please choose full course or single module. If you are choosing a single module, please enter the name of the module. If you would like to use a different email address to your PayPal email address, please enter that too.