In 2020, Turner said that despite having serious health problems, the last 10 years of her life had embodied her ideal vision of happiness. ”I found happiness because I desire nothing. It’s a happiness I never knew existed. In the past, happiness was, ‘Oh I bought a dress!’ ‘Oh have this car!’ It was all material things. Now I get up in the morning and meditate. Inside, a feeling of wellness where you’re sitting there, just where you want to be. There’s nothing you want. People think when you’re on stage, that they are your glory days. The lights, the clothes… They were not my glory days. The ..read more

It has been over forty-nine days since Rev. Saidō’s passing, and this is a significant juncture spiritually, marking the end of the period after death known as the Bardo, which is said to be an interim state when the connection of the newly-dead with this ‘world’ fades and their ‘going on’ is more in focus. It is now time for us to let go, and our ‘going on’ to come into focus too. The flames of the Toro (the fire) represent and are the blazing up in the immaculacy of emptiness, a profound ‘letting go’. Go on your way, dear Rev. Saidō, we love you. It is time to allow the flames to wave you o ..read more

Waiting for the wave. One member of the Telford Priory congregation was in Spain on the 18th March and not able to attend the funeral/reception for Rev. Saidō. This is what she did, aided by her husband, to remember him… The clearing, sorting, recycling and dealing with Rev. Saidō’s business as his executor continues. I anticipate this process taking months rather than weeks. So I remain here at the Telford Priory for the time being. The Priory continues on with three zoomed meetings and in person, Wednesday and Friday at 8.00 and Sunday mornings at 10.00 am. It is no longer necessary to book ..read more

After an all too brief trip to The North (Throssel) I’m heading back to Telford where I will continue to deal with Rev. Saido’s business and belongings. As well as help keep the Priory active and moving along. As I keep on saying to myself, ‘one step at a time’, and ‘things will unfold’. There is no predicting the future, though one can have LOTS of ideas about it ..read more

Text here Here is the recording of Rev. Saido’s funeral on the 18th March, 2023. It hardly seems possibly, that Rev. Saido is actually dead. Last time we talked on the telephone, perhaps a week before he died, I was trying to find a word or words to refer to the fact of his iminent demise. ‘You mean dead’! he said. No mincing word and I’m following his lead on that one. This morning, as if I actually needed a reminder, I collected his cremated remains from the undertakers office. They are now placed on the alter here at Telford Buddhist Priory awaiting a suitable receptical. Eventually to be ..read more

Phew! Its just an hour before the Funeral. This is what I have to say. You are the first to listen. While we carry with us a diversity,: of backgrounds, memories, living conditions, life conditions, it’s now our time to allow them to fall into the background of our consciousness. To allow ourselves to know in the depths of ourselves that Time, Space and Form lose their ordinary everyday meaning.  That truth will articulate in your own religious or non-religious affiliations. It is up to each of us to plumb the depths, no teacher, master or guide, or spiritual friend can do that for us. Le ..read more

Retaining a sense of humour Is the saving grace of the religious life ..read more

The Funeral for Rev. Saido is at 9.30 AM 18th March ..read more

Rev. Saido’s Funeral is on 18th March at 9.30am  at Telford Crematorium. Follow this link to watch the ceremony via Live Cast. The recording will be available from Thursday 23rd for a limited time. All are welcome to come to the Cremation and also to attend a reception at 10.30 located at the Park House Hotel, Shifnal. Love this image of Rev. Saido standing in front of the altar at Telford Priory.   ..read more

We have snow tonight All is still and bright Some mellow sadness. Seeing the stupa What remains After cremation? Brilliant light Where remains Saido in the stupa. It was Rev. Saido’s wish to have his cremated remains interred within the stupa he constructed relatively recently. There are already ashes of two lay sangha members in there. The ‘how’ and the when details will appear here, when I know ..read more