Back in 1996, and inspired by the Reverends Ganshin Rock and Tira Sato (Three Wheels) I began holding small weekly Buddhist meetings in my home.

In 1998, and as part of the ESC held in Oxford in 1998, I participated in a Kikyoshiki ceremony and was given the Dharma name of Dai Chi. Unlike many, I continue to use this name to this day, because it means a lot to me! 

I clearly remember seeking out Rev Sato during the hubbub of the lunch break the day after the ceremony to ask him what my new dharma name meant in English. When he told me it translated as 'Great Wisdom' a huge (smug?) smile spread across my face. Then, Rev Sato added: Not your wisdom. Buddha's Wisdom. Sometimes the greater lessons can be transmitted in a single, short sentence.

In September 2012 I traveled to Japan to take part in an intensive training program that culminated in my ordination as a Shin Buddhist priest in the Nishi Hongwanji tradition.

In September 2014 the Shin Buddhist conference was held here in my hometown of Southampton. By this time, weekly meetings of the Southampton Shin Sangha had been taking place for eighteen years, and with the teachings of the Buddha at our core, our foundations had become deep and strong. Encourage by our longevity and consistency, Jim chose this time to put the running of the Pure Land Buddhist Fellowship and Pure Notes into my hands. To mark this transition - the fellowship became the Shin Buddhist Fellowship UK. In 2016, the ESC was held in Antwerp again, but this one was organised by the late Rev Fons Martens (1950-2016).