International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak
- Report by Brian White

I attended this conference in Bangkok from 4 to 6 May 2009. There were approximately 1300 attendees from over 70 countries. There were 36 names on the attendance list from Australia. /Cont......

Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils Inc. - President's Report - November 2008

Please accept this report for the year 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2008. This report will be brief as the last report was presented in May 2008 which covered latest news up until that date.

The following is a letter from Cluster Munitions Coalition Australia seeking to have the Australian Government support a treaty against cluster bombs. The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils is a signatory to this letter.

FABC President's Report - 1st January TO 30th June 2007

I am pleased to present this report to the committee of the FABC. This report will cover not just the reporting year as stated but will endeavor to cover latest news and developments.

The following are minutes from the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils held at the BCNSW's office in Crow's Nest, Sydney, on 3 May 2008.

You can download Prime Minister Rudd's letter here.

It is with pleasure that I provide this message to the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils for the Vesak on 20 May 2008.

The Buddhist festival of Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. With lanterns and lights adorning temples and homes this is an important time for spiritual renewal when Buddhists recommit to the Buddha's teaching.

Australia is home to a diversity of faiths united by tolerance, mutual respect and a commitment to democratic traditions. As an inclusive society we support and respect the rights of citizens to maintain and develop their cultural and religious beliefs.

This year Australia's Buddhist community is encouraged to celebrate Vesak with the theme Acts of Kindness. This reflects the commitment of the Australian Buddhist community to compassion, peace and harmony.

I send my best wishes to the Buddhist community in Australia as it celebrates Vesak in 2008.

The Honorable Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister of Australia

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing to you about the ongoing unrest in Lhasa and other provinces in Tibet.

- by Ms Rinchen Norbu, Australian Buddhist Youth Delegate.

From the 4th to the 6th of December 2007 I attended the Regional Youth Interfaith Forum in Perth, Australia which was co-hosted by the Australian Government and the European Union (EU). Here I was one of six Australian Youth Delegates representing Australian Buddhist Youth.

Dear Mr. Rudd,

I am writing to you on behalf of the State Buddhist Councils of Australia to express their support for the Sorry statement to be given to the Stolen generation, their families, and the wider indigenous community.