A copy of the Dhammapada has been added to the Despatch Box on the central table in front of the Prime Minister. The president of the Federation of the Australian Buddhist Councils (FABC) Mr Brian Ashen is seen here handing a copy of the Dhammapada to Mr Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. This momentous occasion for the Buddhist community of Australia took place on the 15th of June 2009.
(left to right) Mr Ian Harris, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Indra Kuruppa, Parliament Library, Ven. Chi Kwang Sunim, Mr Jim Ferguson, Ven. Quang Ba, Mrs Mohini Gunesekera, Mr Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Brian Ashen, President Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils, Ven. David Lungtuk, President Australian Sangha Association, Lama Choedak Rinpoche, Ven. Sujato. larger image
Below is the speech delivered by Mr Brian Ashen, President of the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils, on the presentation of the Dhammapada to the Australian Parliament, 15th June 2009.
The Honourable Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr Ian Harris, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Venerable Sangha from the three traditions of Buddhism and Buddhist community leaders.
We come together today to present to our federal parliament a very special Buddhist text, the Dhammapada.
In Buddhism there is not one single text that we can point to and say that is our ‘Bible’ or ‘Koran’. The Lord Buddha taught many thousands of teaches or sutras. Some are short ands some long; some are thousands of verses in length and are bound in many volumes. However, there are some teachings of the Buddha that hold a special place in all the traditions and that text is the Dhammapada. This is the book that we present to you today.
We are not aware of any Buddhist followers in the federal parliament. However, in the event of a Buddhist being elected, what ever the party of politics they represent, this book will be ready to guide them as they take their oath of service. And I hope that this book is used many times in the future.
Mr Jenkins, thank you for your hospitality and your acknowledgment of the Buddhist communities in Australia.
Thank you very much. |
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